Open Call for Victim Empowerment Programme 2026 (South Africa)

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals invites eligible Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) in the Western Cape to apply for funding to deliver nutritional support and community development services through Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs). The programme combines meal provision with skills development, referrals, and livelihood initiatives to improve resilience, self-reliance, and social well-being among vulnerable communities.

About the Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals is an initiative of the Western Cape Department of Social Development that supports organisations delivering integrated nutrition and community development services through Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs).

The programme recognizes that food insecurity is closely linked to unemployment, poverty, and limited access to social and economic opportunities. Rather than focusing solely on food assistance, the programme promotes a holistic approach that combines nutritional support with developmental interventions that help individuals and families become more resilient and self-sufficient.

Funded organisations are expected to provide nutritious meals while also connecting beneficiaries with skills development opportunities, social support services, and community-based initiatives that improve long-term livelihoods.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Improve food security for vulnerable individuals and families.
• Strengthen household resilience through sustainable livelihood initiatives.
• Promote community participation and social inclusion.
• Support personal development and self-reliance.
• Connect beneficiaries with relevant government and community services.
• Encourage income-generating and skills development opportunities where practical.
• Strengthen Community Nutritional and Development Centres as local support hubs.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following areas:

• Nutritional support
• Community Nutritional and Development Centres (CNDCs)
• Community kitchens
• Sustainable livelihoods
• Community development
• Food security
• Social inclusion
• Household resilience
• Skills development
• Income-generating initiatives
• Referral services
• Community participation
• Beneficiary support
• Social welfare services

Funding Support

Funding is available for organisations delivering approved CNDC-based nutritional and developmental services.

Supported activities include:

• Preparation and provision of nutritious meals.
• Community kitchen operations.
• Beneficiary engagement activities.
• Referral services to appropriate support programmes.
• Community participation initiatives.
• Developmental programmes.
• Livelihood support interventions.
• Skills development activities where feasible.
• Income-generating initiatives that strengthen household resilience.

Successful organisations will enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Department of Social Development for a period ranging from one to three years.

Eligible Activities

Projects may include:

• Daily meal preparation and distribution.
• Nutritional support programmes.
• Community engagement activities.
• Development workshops.
• Skills development programmes.
• Household resilience initiatives.
• Income-generation support.
• Referral pathways to health, education, employment, and social services.
• Community participation programmes.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be registered as one of the following:
  • Non-Profit Organisation (NPO)
  • Voluntary Association
  • Non-Profit Company (NPC)
  • Trust
• Comply with the NPO Act.
• Meet previous funding compliance requirements.
• Have adequate organisational governance and operational capacity.
• Have experience delivering community development programmes.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide nutritional services.
• Maintain beneficiary records and reporting systems.
• Be capable of linking beneficiaries with other support services.
• Implement complementary developmental activities alongside meal provision.

Organisational Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate that they have:

• Suitable food preparation facilities.
• Valid health and safety certification.
• Appropriate food storage facilities.
• Refrigeration equipment.
• Emergency response procedures.
• Fire extinguishers.
• First aid equipment.
• Accessible service locations.
• Administrative and beneficiary management systems.
• Qualified personnel where required.

Preference will be given to organisations that prepare and serve meals directly through Community Nutritional and Development Centres or community kitchens.

Large-scale transportation of cooked meals will generally not be supported unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated.

Assessment Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Organisational capacity.
• Compliance with programme requirements.
• Quality of proposed service delivery.
• Nutritional support approach.
• Developmental interventions.
• Community impact.
• Beneficiary support systems.
• Ability to deliver integrated livelihood services.
• Experience in community development.
• Overall programme sustainability.

The Department will also consider:

• Community needs.
• Service delivery locations.
• Deprived wards.
• Existing service coverage.

Reporting Requirements

Successful organisations will be required to:

• Maintain daily attendance registers.
• Keep accurate beneficiary records.
• Submit quarterly progress reports.
• Provide supporting documentation.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings.
• Comply with monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Meet all obligations under the Transfer Payment Agreement.

Why This Programme Matters

Food insecurity often affects education, employment, health, and overall well-being. This programme goes beyond emergency food assistance by helping communities develop practical skills, improve resilience, and access opportunities that support long-term social and economic development.

By integrating nutrition with community development, the programme contributes to stronger families, healthier communities, and more sustainable livelihoods across the Western Cape.

How to Apply

Follow these steps before submitting your application:

1. Confirm that your organisation meets all eligibility requirements.
2. Ensure your organisation is properly registered and compliant with the NPO Act.
3. Develop a proposal outlining your nutritional and developmental activities.
4. Demonstrate your operational capacity and experience.
5. Include details of facilities, staffing, and beneficiary management systems.
6. Explain how beneficiaries will access referral and development services.
7. Submit the application according to the Department’s funding guidelines.
8. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information during assessment.

Tips for Applicants

• Demonstrate strong community development experience.
• Clearly explain how nutritional support and development activities will be integrated.
• Provide realistic implementation plans.
• Show strong governance and financial management systems.
• Describe partnerships with local support services.
• Include practical monitoring and evaluation methods.
• Highlight previous experience delivering similar programmes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete organisational documentation.
• Failing to demonstrate food safety compliance.
• Providing weak beneficiary management systems.
• Focusing only on food distribution without developmental support.
• Not explaining referral pathways.
• Omitting monitoring and reporting arrangements.
• Proposing large-scale meal transportation without adequate justification.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals?

Registered NPOs, Voluntary Associations, NPCs, and Trusts that comply with programme requirements and operate in the Western Cape.

What services does the programme fund?

The programme funds nutritional support, community kitchens, developmental programmes, referral services, skills development, livelihood support, and community participation initiatives.

How long can funding agreements last?

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

Are community kitchens eligible?

Yes. Organisations that prepare and serve meals through Community Nutritional and Development Centres or community kitchens are encouraged to apply.

Can organisations transport prepared meals to multiple locations?

Large-scale transportation of cooked meals is generally discouraged and will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.

How are applications assessed?

Applications are evaluated based on organisational capacity, compliance, service delivery quality, beneficiary support, developmental approach, and overall community impact.

What reporting obligations do successful organisations have?

Successful applicants must maintain beneficiary records, submit quarterly progress reports, participate in stakeholder meetings, and comply with monitoring and evaluation requirements.

Conclusion

The Sustainable Livelihoods Call for Proposals provides an important opportunity for eligible organisations to strengthen food security while promoting long-term community development across the Western Cape. By combining nutritional assistance with skills development, referrals, and livelihood support, the programme helps vulnerable individuals build resilience, improve self-reliance, and achieve sustainable social and economic outcomes.