CFAs: Sustainable Livelihoods Programme Grant (South Africa)

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals invites eligible Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in the Western Cape to provide nutritional support and community development services through Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs). The programme funds organizations that combine meal provision with skills development, community participation, referrals, and livelihood initiatives to strengthen household resilience and improve community well-being.

About the Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals

The Western Cape Department of Social Development is accepting applications from eligible Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to deliver nutrition and community development services through Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs).

The programme is designed to improve food security while supporting long-term community development. In addition to providing nutritious meals, funded organizations are expected to deliver developmental activities that promote resilience, self-reliance, and improved quality of life for vulnerable individuals and families.

Programme Objectives

The Sustainable Livelihoods Programme aims to:

• Improve food security for vulnerable communities.
• Provide nutritious meals through Community Nutritional and Development Centres.
• Promote community participation and social inclusion.
• Strengthen household resilience through development initiatives.
• Support skills development and income-generating opportunities.
• Connect beneficiaries with appropriate social support services.
• Encourage sustainable community development across the Western Cape.

Funding Support

Successful organizations will receive funding to deliver approved CNDC services.

Funding supports activities such as:

• Nutritional support services.
• Preparation and distribution of meals.
• Community development initiatives.
• Beneficiary engagement activities.
• Referral services.
• Livelihood support interventions.
• Skills development programmes.
• Community participation activities.

Organizations selected for funding must enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Department of Social Development for a period of one to three years.

Eligible Activities

Supported activities include:

• Operating Community Nutritional and Development Centres.
• Community kitchen services.
• Meal preparation and distribution.
• Beneficiary registration and engagement.
• Development programmes.
• Community participation initiatives.
• Skills development projects.
• Income-generating activities where feasible.
• Referral services to other support programmes.
• Household resilience initiatives.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

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

Applicants must:

• Comply with the NPO Act.
• Meet previous funding compliance requirements.
• Have the capacity to prepare meals according to Sustainable Livelihoods Norms and Standards.
• Operate suitable food preparation facilities.
• Maintain valid health and safety certification.
• Have appropriate food storage and refrigeration facilities.
• Maintain emergency response procedures.
• Provide fire extinguishers and first-aid equipment.
• Operate accessible service sites.
• Maintain beneficiary records and operational systems.
• Demonstrate experience in community development.
• Be able to link beneficiaries with additional support services.
• Deliver complementary developmental programmes.

Preference will be given to organizations that prepare and serve meals directly through CNDCs or community kitchens.

Who is Not Likely to Be Prioritized?

Applications involving:

• Large-scale transportation of cooked meals.

Such proposals will generally not be considered except under exceptional circumstances.

Why This Programme Matters

Food insecurity is often linked to unemployment, poverty, and limited access to community services. This programme goes beyond emergency food assistance by combining nutrition with developmental support.

The initiative helps organizations:

• Improve nutrition among vulnerable populations.
• Build stronger and more resilient communities.
• Increase social inclusion.
• Promote sustainable livelihoods.
• Connect beneficiaries with long-term development opportunities.
• Reduce dependency through skills development and income generation.

Application Assessment Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Organisational capacity.
• Compliance with programme requirements.
• Service delivery approach.
• Community development experience.
• Ability to provide nutritional support.
• Capacity to implement developmental interventions.
• Ability to support beneficiaries effectively.

The Department may also consider:

• Community needs.
• Deprived wards.
• Geographic service coverage.
• Existing service delivery gaps.

Reporting and Compliance Requirements

Funded organizations must:

• Maintain daily attendance registers.
• Keep accurate beneficiary records.
• Submit quarterly progress reports.
• Provide supporting documentation.
• Participate in stakeholder engagement meetings.
• Attend information sessions.
• Deliver services within approved Western Cape locations.
• Comply with all funding agreement requirements.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm organizational eligibility.
2. Ensure NPO registration and compliance documentation are current.
3. Demonstrate capacity to operate a CNDC or community kitchen.
4. Prepare a detailed service delivery proposal.
5. Describe nutritional and developmental activities.
6. Explain beneficiary referral mechanisms.
7. Demonstrate organizational experience.
8. Submit the application with all required supporting documents before the deadline.

Application Tips

To improve the chances of success:

• Clearly explain community needs.
• Demonstrate previous experience delivering nutrition programmes.
• Include realistic implementation plans.
• Show how beneficiaries will transition toward self-reliance.
• Describe partnerships with local services.
• Highlight monitoring and reporting systems.
• Ensure all compliance documents are complete.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Providing unclear implementation plans.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational capacity.
• Omitting beneficiary monitoring systems.
• Proposing activities outside programme objectives.
• Overlooking health and safety requirements.
• Relying primarily on transporting cooked meals instead of operating CNDCs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals?

Registered NPOs, Voluntary Associations, NPCs, and Trusts that meet programme eligibility requirements.

What services does the programme support?

The programme supports nutritional assistance, community development, skills development, referrals, livelihood initiatives, and CNDC operations.

What is a Community Nutritional and Development Centre (CNDC)?

A CNDC is a community-based centre that combines meal provision with developmental programmes aimed at improving community well-being and self-reliance.

How long can funding agreements last?

Funding agreements may run for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years.

Will organizations transporting cooked meals receive priority?

Generally, no. Preference is given to organizations that prepare and serve meals directly through CNDCs or community kitchens.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on organizational capacity, compliance, service delivery approach, community development experience, and ability to support beneficiaries.

What reporting responsibilities do funded organizations have?

Organizations must maintain attendance and beneficiary records, submit quarterly reports, participate in stakeholder engagements, and comply with funding agreement requirements.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals provides an important opportunity for eligible organizations to improve food security while promoting sustainable community development across the Western Cape. By supporting Community Nutritional and Development Centres, the programme helps vulnerable communities access nutritious meals, development opportunities, referral services, and livelihood support that contribute to long-term resilience and improved quality of life.