The Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) Project is inviting emerging and small non-profit and community-based organisations in South Africa to submit innovative ideas that can promote and strengthen employment opportunities within Just Energy Transition (JET) value chains.

The competition is implemented by GFA Consulting Group GmbH on behalf of GIZ and is focused on identifying community-level approaches that can contribute to employment creation within the Just Energy Transition, particularly in communities located within designated Skills Development Zones.

Rather than providing a direct cash award, the opportunity is designed to help promising organisations develop their ideas into stronger, more complete proposals, while also strengthening the organisational capabilities needed to implement future initiatives.

Objective

The competition seeks innovative approaches that can:

• Create new employment opportunities within Just Energy Transition value chains.
• Strengthen existing employment opportunities linked to the energy transition.
• Address employment challenges within communities located in designated Skills Development Zones.
• Support inclusive participation in the emerging JET economy.

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to emerging and small organisations working with communities in South Africa, including:

• Non-profit organisations (NPOs)
• Community-based organisations (CBOs)
• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• Similar organisations working directly with communities.

Geographic Eligibility

Applicants must work with communities in at least one of the following South African provinces:

• Northern Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Eastern Cape

Priority Beneficiaries

Priority will be given to organisations serving:

• Youth
• Women
• Persons living with disabilities

Support Provided

Selected organisations will receive:

• Support to develop a full proposal
• Organisational capacity-building assistance

This means the opportunity can be particularly useful for smaller organisations that have a strong community-based idea but need assistance to strengthen the proposal and organisational systems required to take the idea forward.

Target Organisations

The opportunity is particularly relevant to small and emerging community-focused organisations that already have a presence in the eligible provinces and understand the local employment challenges and opportunities associated with the Just Energy Transition.

Priority may be particularly relevant for organisations working with:

• Young people seeking employment opportunities.
• Women seeking greater participation in emerging energy-transition value chains.
• Persons with disabilities who face barriers to employment.
• Communities affected by or transitioning through changes associated with the energy system.

Application Process

The initial application process requires interested organisations to submit their personal and organisational details through the competition's application process in order to receive the full information pack by email.

Applicants should ensure that all submitted information is accurate because it will be used for subsequent communication relating to the competition.

The information provided does not include the full proposal requirements, as these are contained in the information pack that applicants receive after submitting their details.

Project Selection / Next Stage

Based on the information provided, the competition initially collects organisational and contact information and provides applicants with the full information pack.

Selected organisations then receive:

• Support in developing a full proposal.
• Organisational capacity-building assistance.

Limitations

Applicants should note:

• The opportunity is for emerging and small organisations.
• Applicants must be non-profit, community-based, non-governmental or similar organisations working with communities.
• Organisations must work with communities in Northern Cape, Mpumalanga or Eastern Cape.
• Priority is given to organisations serving youth, women and persons with disabilities.
• The information provided does not specify a cash grant or prize amount.
• The initial submission is used to obtain the full information pack, meaning applicants should review the subsequent documentation for complete proposal requirements and conditions.

Application Deadline

11 September 2026

Enquiries / Application

Applicants must complete their personal and organisational details to receive the full information pack by email.

Click HERE for the full application pack