The Just Energy Transition (JET) Funding Platform is inviting Expressions of Interest for community-led agriculture and food-system projects with an integrated circular economy dimension.

Window 4 aims to support projects that create sustainable livelihoods and jobs in communities affected by South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, while strengthening agricultural value chains and embedding practical waste-to-value solutions.

The funding window is particularly focused on helping coal-affected communities diversify beyond coal into locally owned agricultural enterprises, with emphasis on former mine workers, women and youth.

Funding Available

R500,000 – R20 million per project

Projects may run for up to 36 months, subject to funder requirements and the nature of the project.

Co-funding is encouraged but not mandatory and may include blended grants, corporate social investment (CSI), socio-economic development (SED) and other social-spend funding.

Priority Areas

Projects should focus on Agriculture and Food Systems with a Circular Economy Dimension, including:

• Smallholder and cooperative crop production
• Agro-processing and value addition
• Community food hubs and market infrastructure
• Regenerative agriculture and land rehabilitation
• Climate-smart and controlled-environment agriculture, including hydroponics
• Agricultural skills and enterprise development
• Community-scale composting and biogas
• Organic waste reuse and other agricultural waste-to-value solutions

Key Objectives

The window aims to:

• Create sustainable jobs and livelihoods for coal-affected communities
• Support former mine workers to participate in new agricultural enterprises
• Enable farmers and local enterprises to capture more value across the agricultural value chain
• Support direct participation of landholders in agricultural production
• Embed circular economy solutions such as composting and biogas within agriculture
• Strengthen market access, aggregation, processing and value addition

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include:

• Community-based organisations
• Cooperatives
• Non-governmental organisations (NPOs/NGOs)
• Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs)
• Community trusts and similar community-controlled legal entities

Applicants must be appropriately registered legal entities and have a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status.

Applicants must also demonstrate a relevant track record in agriculture, food systems or community enterprise, either directly or through a credible delivery partner.

Exclusions

The following are not eligible:

• Individuals
• Political parties
• Pure research or feasibility-only projects
• Projects whose primary financing route is loans, equity or concessional debt
• Projects where livestock or small-ruminant farming is the standalone primary purpose

Geographic Scope

Projects from anywhere in South Africa are eligible and will be assessed on merit.

Priority: Coal-affected communities in Mpumalanga, particularly areas within reach of Eskom decommissioning sites and the coal value chain.

Selection Process

The EOI process includes eligibility screening followed by shortlisting of up to 35 applicants.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application, followed by further assessment, virtual engagements and final approval before projects are matched with suitable grant funders.

Assessment Criteria

EOIs will be assessed on factors including:

• Alignment with the Agriculture and Food Systems theme
• Circular and waste-to-value integration
• Relevance to coal-affected communities and the Just Energy Transition
• Inclusion of women, youth and former mine workers
• Land access and project readiness
• Credible market linkages or offtake
• Value-chain participation
• Commercial sustainability
• Organisational capacity and governance
• Potential impact, sustainability and scalability
• Value for money and co-funding leverage

Important Applicant Information

The JET Funding Platform does not directly provide or disburse grants. It acts as a coordination and matchmaking mechanism, connecting selected projects with appropriate grant funders.

Selection into later stages does not guarantee funding. Any grant funding is ultimately subject to the requirements and decisions of the matched funder.

Important Dates

EOI Opens: 5 October 2026
EOI Deadline: 5 November 2026

Submission

EOIs must be submitted through the JET Funding Platform portal.

Click HERE to register on the JET Funding Platform portal