The British Council is offering up to £30,000 to a UK further education (FE) or training organisation to form an International Skills Partnership with Port Elizabeth TVET College in South Africa.
The 12-month project will focus on integrating leadership development into entrepreneurship support for women students and graduates within the public TVET system. Applications close at 10:00 a.m. GMT on 11 March 2026.
Programme Overview
The International Skills Partnership is delivered under the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme.
It supports one UK-based skills organisation to collaborate with Port Elizabeth TVET College in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
The partnership aims to strengthen institutional capacity in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector by embedding leadership development into entrepreneurship support structures for women.
Core Objectives
The initiative aligns with broader priorities in:
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Internationalisation of higher education and TVET
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Institutional capacity strengthening
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Research and system development
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Learner outcome improvement
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Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)
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Green transition priorities
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Employability and soft skills development
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Sustainable international collaboration
The project emphasizes leadership as a strategic capability within women’s entrepreneurship development.
Project Focus: Leadership Development for Women in TVET
The partnership will explore how leadership development can be intentionally integrated into existing entrepreneurship programmes for women students and graduates.
Key components include:
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Understanding the institutional context of Port Elizabeth TVET College
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Identifying leadership competencies relevant to women entrepreneurs
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Co-designing a contextualised leadership development framework
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Creating practical tools, guidance, and implementation resources
Outputs should support future piloting and potential scale-up aligned with national priorities in South Africa.
Project Timeline
This is a time-bound 12-month collaboration.
Key dates:
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Application Deadline: 11 March 2026 (10:00 a.m. GMT)
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Results Announcement: 13 March 2026
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Contract Signing: By 27 March 2026
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Project Delivery: 30 March 2026 to 30 March 2027
Late applications will not be accepted.
Funding Details
Total funding available: Up to £30,000
Funds will be transferred to the UK lead institution, which is responsible for:
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Financial management
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Reporting requirements
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Timely transfer of funds to overseas partners
Eligible Costs
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Reciprocal UK–South Africa travel
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Staff time (capped at 30% of total grant)
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Development of tools and learning resources
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Stakeholder consultations and workshops
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Capacity-building activities
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Delivery of agreed project outputs
For-profit non-education organisations may only receive funding for travel-related costs.
Activities Supported
Potential activities under the partnership include:
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Institutional needs assessments
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Stakeholder consultations
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Reciprocal visits between the UK and South Africa
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Co-design workshops
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Staff training and professional development
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Development of leadership frameworks and implementation materials
British Council teams in both countries will provide guidance and support throughout delivery.
Who Is Eligible?
Applications must be led by a single UK-based institution.
Eligible Lead Institutions
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Further education colleges listed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
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Colleges listed by the Association of Colleges
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Independent training providers
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Membership organisations involved in the FE/TVET system
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Sector skills organisations
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Awarding bodies
Associated Partners May Include
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Employer organisations
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Education charities
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NGOs
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Government bodies
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Civil society organisations
However, for-profit non-education organisations are limited to travel cost reimbursement only.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm Institutional Eligibility
Ensure your organisation qualifies as an eligible UK lead institution.
Step 2: Establish Partnership with Port Elizabeth TVET College
Collaborate to:
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Identify institutional needs
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Align project objectives
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Define roles and responsibilities
Step 3: Develop a Clear Project Proposal
Include:
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Problem statement and context analysis
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Leadership competency framework concept
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Planned activities and timeline
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Expected outputs and long-term institutional benefits
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EDI and gender inclusion strategy
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Green transition and sustainability considerations
Step 4: Prepare a Detailed Budget
Ensure:
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Staff costs do not exceed 30% of total grant
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Travel costs are realistic and justified
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All expenses align with eligible categories
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
Applications must be submitted by 10:00 a.m. GMT on 11 March 2026.
Late submissions will not be considered.
Why This Partnership Matters
This initiative strengthens:
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Women’s leadership within vocational entrepreneurship
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UK–South Africa institutional collaboration
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Capacity building in public TVET systems
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Sustainable skills development models
By embedding leadership development into entrepreneurship programmes, the project supports long-term employability, gender equality, and systemic improvement in vocational education.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting applications after the deadline
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Exceeding the 30% staff cost cap
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Failing to demonstrate institutional alignment
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Presenting generic leadership training without TVET context
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Weak evidence of sustainability or scale-up potential
Successful applications show contextual understanding, co-design principles, and measurable institutional impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much funding is available?
Up to £30,000 for the selected UK lead institution.
2. Who can apply as the lead organisation?
UK-based FE colleges, independent training providers, sector skills bodies, awarding organisations, and relevant membership organisations.
3. Is a South African partner required?
Yes. The partnership is specifically with Port Elizabeth TVET College.
4. How long is the project?
12 months, from 30 March 2026 to 30 March 2027.
5. Are travel costs eligible?
Yes. Reciprocal UK–South Africa travel is eligible.
6. Can for-profit organisations receive funding?
For-profit non-education organisations may only receive travel-related cost coverage.
7. When will results be announced?
Results are expected on 13 March 2026.
Conclusion
The British Council International Skills Partnership offers UK FE and training organisations a funded opportunity to collaborate with Port Elizabeth TVET College to embed leadership development within women’s entrepreneurship education.
With up to £30,000 in funding and structured bilateral support, the initiative promotes gender-inclusive leadership, sustainable TVET reform, and long-term UK–South Africa collaboration.
Eligible institutions should prepare a strong, context-driven proposal and submit before 11 March 2026.
For more information, visit British Council.
