Reference: SP2026/27-04

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Services SETA) invites eligible non-profit organisations to submit proposals for strategic projects that respond to sector and community needs and deliver measurable social and economic impact.

The funding window supports targeted interventions that expand economic participation, address community priorities and generate sustainable benefits. Proposed projects must demonstrate a clear link between the identified need, planned activities, measurable outcomes and longer-term impact.

Applications are open to legally registered South African non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-profit organisations (NPOs), non-profit companies (NPCs), community-based organisations (CBOs) and community trusts.

Funding and Support

Funding is allocated to approved strategic projects in accordance with the applicable evaluation and allocation processes.

The grant supports initiatives that demonstrate measurable social and economic outcomes, feasibility, organisational capacity and value for money.

The total funding allocation and maximum grant amount per project are not specified in the advert. Awards are subject to evaluation, verification, available budget and the required approvals.

Purpose and Objectives

The funding window aims to:

• Respond to identified sector and community needs.
• Expand economic participation and inclusion.
• Support sustainable social and economic development.
• Promote enterprise development, self-employment and job creation.
• Strengthen the implementation of targeted interventions that deliver measurable and lasting benefits.

Priority Areas or Scope of Work

Proposals must address one or more of the following focus areas:

• Rural and township development and revitalisation.
• Youth and women empowerment.
• Inclusion of persons with disabilities.
• Support for military veterans and their dependants.
• Enterprise development and self-employment.
• Job creation and local economic development.

Projects must clearly demonstrate how their proposed activities will address the selected focus areas and achieve measurable outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are open to legally registered South African organisations operating on a non-profit basis, including:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• Non-profit organisations (NPOs).
• Non-profit companies (NPCs).
• Community-based organisations (CBOs).
• Community trusts.

Applicants must submit the prescribed application form, project proposal, implementation plan, budget and compulsory supporting documents.

The project proposal must not exceed five A4 pages, using a minimum font size of 11 points and margins of at least 2 cm. The five-page limit includes the cover page, contents page, tables and illustrations, but excludes the application form and supporting documents.

Applicants must disclose other funding, delivery partners, subcontractors, related parties and beneficial interests. Funding requested must not duplicate funding already received, approved or claimed for the same learners, training interventions or project costs. Pending applications covering the same activities or costs must also be disclosed.

Geographic Scope

South Africa.

Important Dates

• Opening date: 19 October 2026
• Closing date: 6 November 2026

Application Process

Applicants must complete the prescribed application documents and prepare a project proposal aligned with the approved focus areas.

The application must include:

• Completed Strategic Projects Application Summary Form.
• Project proposal of no more than five A4 pages.
• Completed project implementation plan.
• Completed budget template.
• Proof of legal registration.
• Fully signed Declaration of Interest.
• Fully signed Declaration of Authorised Person.
• Fully signed POPI Declaration.
• Copies of identification documents for authorised representatives, certified within the three months preceding submission, with legible certification dates.

Applicants must use the prescribed templates and comply with the application guidelines. Missing mandatory documents may prevent an application from proceeding to technical evaluation.

Applications will be assessed for alignment with the purpose and focus areas, transformational impact and measurable outcomes, implementation feasibility and monitoring, organisational and governance capacity, budget, value for money and sustainability.

Successful completion of technical evaluation does not guarantee funding. Applicants remain subject to due diligence, verification, ranking, available budget and the required approvals.

Industry / Sector

Education and training; community development; social and economic development; enterprise development; employment and skills development; non-profit organisations.

Click HERE to visit the official website.