The Jobs Fund calls on experienced private and public sector organisations, as well as nonprofit organisations (NPOs) to submit applications for its eleventh funding round titled Breaking Barriers: Future Proofing South Africa’s Employment Options.

There are many barriers that hamper economic growth in South Africa, therefore, when addressing the country’s employment challenges, a targeted focus on breaking down these barriers on both the demand and supply sides of the employment equation is needed, the fund states.

To contribute to addressing these supply and demand challenges, the Jobs Fund is calling on experienced and future-focused organisations, that can provide innovative solutions to South Africa’s employment challenges, to apply for the funding round.

The funding round is open for applications from May 29 to July 17.

“In South Africa, we need to acknowledge that we currently have a significant imbalance in the supply of skills required for the future, while restrained investment also constrains demand for new jobs,” says Jobs Fund head Najwah Allie-Edries.

She says the latest funding round will push the boundaries as South Africa enters a new post-pandemic digital era, and the fund urges organisations to bring their ideas and innovations forward.

The Jobs Fund is inviting organisations to submit proposals that will break barriers to labour market entry by stimulating new demand in growth sectors and improving the supply of appropriately skilled labour.

The fund welcomes initiatives that focus on enterprising strategies, including those that stimulate demand for new jobs. The interventions must result in growth and sustainability for the supported enterprises and for the infrastructure that is enabling and must support ongoing job creation.

The fund will also welcome skilling and upskilling propositions, which match beneficiaries to jobs, or facilitate new pathways to jobs. Notably, the interventions must result in a new job being created and/or placement into a job.

This funding round will also favourably consider competitive projects focused on women and youth.

The Jobs Fund will only consider applications for a minimum grant amount of R5-million.

Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to raise cash-matched funding, at a minimum of 1:1 for private and public sector organisations and 1:0.5 for NPOs.

For example, if an NPO requests R10-million in grant funding, they must also contribute R5-million in matched funding towards the proposed intervention.

The Jobs Fund urges applicants to read the term sheet carefully, to consider whether they are eligible for funding. The term sheet and application link can be accessed through the Jobs Fund website.

Since 2011, the Jobs Fund has successfully closed 10 funding rounds and contracted 163 projects.

As at March 31, these projects have created 195 511 permanent jobs and placements, as well as 106 771 shorter-term jobs. It has also provided skills development for 306 571 beneficiaries and supported 72 035 small- to medium-sized businesses and emerging farmers.