Call for Proposals: Youth Development Grant Programme (South Africa)

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals invites Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in the Western Cape to apply for funding to operate Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs). The programme supports vulnerable communities through food assistance, referrals, social development activities, skills building, and livelihood initiatives that promote resilience and self-reliance.

About the Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals provides funding support to eligible Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) that deliver nutritional and community development services through Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs) in the Western Cape.

The programme is designed to support vulnerable individuals and households by combining immediate nutritional assistance with longer-term development opportunities.

Through CNDCs, funded organisations provide:

Nutritious meals.
Community support services.
Referrals to essential services.
Skills development opportunities.
Livelihood improvement activities.

The initiative aims to strengthen community resilience, reduce vulnerability, and support individuals toward greater independence.

Why This Programme Matters

Many vulnerable communities face challenges related to food insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and limited access to support services.

The Sustainable Livelihoods Programme addresses these challenges by combining:

Direct nutritional support.
Social development interventions.
Community participation.
Skills development.
Income-generating opportunities.

Instead of focusing only on food provision, the programme promotes a holistic approach that helps individuals and families improve their long-term wellbeing.

Programme Objectives

The main objectives of the Sustainable Livelihoods Call include:

Providing nutritional assistance to vulnerable individuals.
Supporting community-based food programmes.
Improving access to social support services.
Strengthening household resilience.
Encouraging community participation.
Supporting skills development and livelihood opportunities.
Promoting social inclusion and self-reliance.

Key Activities Supported

Funded organisations will be expected to implement activities through Community Nutritional and Development Centres.

Supported activities include:

Nutritional Support Services

Organisations may provide:

Preparation of nutritious meals.
Serving meals at CNDCs or community kitchens.
Maintaining food safety standards.
Supporting individuals experiencing food insecurity.

Beneficiary Engagement and Support

Activities may include:

Registering beneficiaries.
Maintaining attendance records.
Understanding community needs.
Providing information about available services.

Referral Linkages

CNDCs should help beneficiaries access additional support through referrals to:

Social services.
Health services.
Community programmes.
Skills development opportunities.
Other relevant support networks.

Community Development Activities

Projects may include:

Community participation activities.
Awareness programmes.
Development initiatives.
Social inclusion activities.

Skills Development and Livelihood Support

Where possible, organisations may support:

Skills training.
Income-generating activities.
Household resilience initiatives.
Self-reliance programmes.

Who Is Eligible?

The programme is open to registered Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) that meet the required legal and operational standards.

Eligible applicants include organisations registered as:

Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs).
Voluntary Associations.
Non-Profit Companies (NPCs).
Trusts.

Applicants must:

Comply with the NPO Act.
Meet previous funding compliance requirements.
Demonstrate organisational capacity.
Have experience in community development activities.

Organisational Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to operate safe and effective Community Nutritional and Development Centres.

Required capacities include:

Food Preparation and Safety

Organisations must have:

Suitable food preparation facilities.
Health and safety certification.
Safe food handling systems.
Adequate storage facilities.
Refrigeration equipment where required.

Operational Infrastructure

Applicants should have:

Emergency plans.
Fire extinguishers.
First aid equipment.
Accessible service locations.
Systems for maintaining beneficiary information.

Community Development Capacity

Organisations should demonstrate:

Experience working with communities.
Ability to connect beneficiaries with support services.
Capacity to implement development activities.
Effective administrative systems.

Preferred Applicants

Preference will be given to organisations that:

Operate CNDCs or community kitchens.
Prepare and serve meals directly at community locations.
Provide integrated nutritional and development support.

Large-scale transportation of cooked meals will generally not be supported unless exceptional circumstances justify such an approach.

Funding Support and Agreement Period

Funding is available for organisations delivering approved CNDC nutritional and development services.

Supported costs and activities may include:

Nutritional assistance.
Beneficiary development programmes.
Referral services.
Community engagement activities.
Livelihood support initiatives.

Successful organisations must enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Department of Social Development.

The agreement period may range from:

Minimum duration: 1 year.
Maximum duration: 3 years.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps when preparing their proposal:

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Organisations should ensure they:

Have valid registration status.
Meet NPO compliance requirements.
Have operational capacity.
Can deliver CNDC-based services.

Step 2: Develop a Service Delivery Plan

The proposal should explain:

Target beneficiaries.
Location of services.
Meal preparation approach.
Development activities.
Referral systems.
Community engagement methods.

Step 3: Demonstrate Organisational Capacity

Applicants should provide evidence of:

Previous community development experience.
Infrastructure and equipment.
Food safety systems.
Staff and operational resources.
Record-keeping systems.

Step 4: Submit the Proposal

Applications should include all required organisational documents and programme information according to the funding guidelines.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

Organisational capacity.
Compliance with funding requirements.
Quality of service delivery approach.
Ability to support vulnerable beneficiaries.
Experience in community development.
Sustainability of proposed activities.

The department may also consider factors such as:

Community needs.
Deprived wards.
Geographic service gaps.
Existing vulnerability data.

Reporting and Compliance Requirements

Funded organisations must meet ongoing monitoring requirements.

Responsibilities include:

Record Keeping

Organisations must maintain:

Daily attendance registers.
Beneficiary records.
Operational documentation.

Reporting

Funded organisations must submit:

Quarterly progress reports.
Supporting documentation.
Updates on service delivery outcomes.

Participation Requirements

Organisations must:

Attend stakeholder meetings.
Participate in information sessions.
Maintain communication with the Department of Social Development.

Tips for Strong Applications

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

Clearly explaining community needs.
Demonstrating experience with vulnerable groups.
Showing strong food safety practices.
Including measurable development outcomes.
Explaining referral partnerships.
Highlighting long-term sustainability.
Providing accurate organisational information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying without valid NPO registration.
Failing to meet food safety requirements.
Providing unclear beneficiary information.
Focusing only on meal distribution without development activities.
Submitting incomplete documentation.
Ignoring reporting responsibilities.

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to achieve:

Improved food security among vulnerable individuals.
Stronger community support systems.
Increased access to development opportunities.
Improved household resilience.
Greater social inclusion.
Enhanced self-reliance among beneficiaries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals?

It is a funding opportunity supporting NPOs that operate Community Nutritional and Development Centres in the Western Cape.

2. Who can apply for this funding?

Registered NPOs, Voluntary Associations, NPCs, and Trusts that meet eligibility and operational requirements can apply.

3. What activities does the programme support?

The programme supports meal preparation, nutritional assistance, beneficiary referrals, community participation, skills development, and livelihood initiatives.

4. Are organisations that only transport cooked meals eligible?

Generally, no. Preference is given to organisations that prepare and serve meals directly at CNDCs or community kitchens. Exceptions may be considered in special circumstances.

5. How long can funding agreements last?

Funding agreements may run from one year up to a maximum of three years.

6. What records must funded organisations maintain?

Organisations must maintain daily attendance registers, beneficiary records, and operational documentation.

7. What factors are considered during assessment?

Applications are assessed based on organisational capacity, compliance, service delivery plans, community impact, and ability to support vulnerable populations.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals provides an opportunity for Western Cape Non-Profit Organisations to strengthen community wellbeing through integrated nutrition and development services. By supporting Community Nutritional and Development Centres, the programme helps vulnerable individuals access food assistance, social support, skills development, and pathways toward sustainable livelihoods.