The Jobs Fund invites bold, implementable proposals from experienced sector intermediaries across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors to stimulate new labour demand in South Africa’s economy.

This funding round focuses on unlocking job creation potential by addressing structural and market barriers that constrain enterprise growth and employment absorption, particularly in:

• the green economy
• micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)
• the informal economy

The Jobs Fund remains open to proposals from other labour-absorptive sectors with strong employment potential, such as tourism.

Successful proposals must be innovative, scalable and demand-led, with a clear pathway to creating sustainable jobs beyond the grant funding period. Projects must be implemented within a three-year period and require matched funding, reflecting shared risk and strong partner commitment. The minimum grant allocation for successful applicants is R5 million.

All applications must be submitted online through the Jobs Fund Grant Management System (GMS), accessible via the Jobs Fund website.

The funding round will be implemented using challenge-fund principles, meaning the Fund will deploy a portfolio approach in evaluating funding proposals.

What we’re tackling

South Africa continues to face persistently high unemployment and widening inequality. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), the national unemployment rate stood at 32.7% in Q1 2026, with youth and women facing the greatest barriers to labour market participation.

Of South Africa’s 42.2 million working-age population, 21 million are aged 15-34. Yet labour market outcomes for youth remain deeply concerning:

• 4.7 million young people were unemployed in Q1 2026
• Youth unemployment for those aged 15–24 reached 60.9%
• More than four in ten young people aged 15–34 were Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET)

Young women continue to bear a disproportionate burden, with 39.2% of women aged 15–24 classified as NEET in Q1 2026.

At the same time, sectors such as the green economy, MSMEs and the informal economy present significant untapped opportunities for labour absorption and inclusive growth. The informal economy alone employs more than 5.7 million people, yet remains underdeveloped relative to other emerging markets. Both the green and informal economies continue to face barriers, including limited access to finance, skills shortages, weak market access, technological constraints and regulatory challenges.

Why this matters

The future of South Africa’s economy depends on unlocking labour-intensive growth opportunities that can absorb large numbers of work seekers while supporting long-term economic sustainability.

The Jobs Fund aims to catalyse demand-led growth by partnering with intermediaries that can:

• unlock new or expanded markets
• strengthen value chains and ecosystems
• crowd in private and non-state investment
• create durable employment outcomes for women, youth and economically marginalised communities

Green economy

The green economy refers to economic activities that reduce environmental harm, promote sustainability and support inclusive growth. Areas of intervention include renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management and recycling, circular-economy activities, sustainable agriculture, green construction, water management, and sustainable transport.

MSMEs and the informal economy

MSMEs refer to micro, small, and medium enterprises, including growth-oriented microenterprises.

The informal economy includes enterprises and workers operating outside formal regulatory arrangements but providing livelihoods, services and employment at scale. Sectors include street vending, small retail, care services, informal transport, artisanal work, repair services, small-scale agriculture and market trading.

The Jobs Fund recognises MSMEs and informal enterprises as critical drivers of labour absorption, particularly when supported through ecosystem-based and market-linked interventions.

Other sectors

The Jobs Fund also welcomes strong proposals from other labour-absorptive sectors, such as tourism, and others that demonstrate significant employment creation potential and alignment with the Fund’s objectives.

The Term- Sheet contains the full details of the funding round and can be accessed here.

Further guidance and information are contained in the links below:

• 13th Funding Round Brochure
• 9 Key Learnings from Declined Projects During The Jobs Fund's 12th Funding Round
• Application User Guide
• FAQs
• JF13 Application Briefing Session Presentation

If you meet the eligibility criteria, click here to apply. All applications must be submitted by 15:00 on 30 June 2026.

If you have any queries, please contact: jobsfund@treasury.gov.za

Should your organisation not qualify for Jobs Fund grant funding, there are a number of other funding instruments available at national and provincial levels which promote economic growth and facilitate job creation.

Please click on the links below for more information:

Development Agencies & DFIs
National Government Departments
Provincial Government Departments
SETAs
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency
National Empowerment Fund