Attendee: Puluko Nkiwane
Position: Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Organization: SayPro
Date of Session: 08 May 2025
Location: Online / Johannesburg, South Africa
1. Purpose of Attendance
Puluko Nkiwane, Chief Marketing Officer of SayPro, attended the Jobs Fund Briefing Session to gain critical insights into the 12th Call for Proposals, which focuses on “Breaking Barriers to Employment in the Green and Informal Economies.” The objective of attending was to explore funding opportunities, understand proposal requirements, and assess strategic alignment between SayPro’s initiatives and the Jobs Fund’s priorities.
2. Session Overview
The Jobs Fund, an initiative of the South African National Treasury, launched its 12th Call for Proposals to support innovative, scalable projects that create sustainable employment opportunities. The focus areas for this round are:
- Green Economy – including initiatives in renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and circular economy ventures.
- Informal Economy – targeting micro-enterprises, informal traders, and other underserved employment sectors.
The session covered the following key components:
- Eligibility and selection criteria
- Funding model and co-financing requirements
- Proposal development guidelines and timelines
- Success metrics and impact measurement
- Q&A with fund administrators and past grantees
3. Key Takeaways
- Target Beneficiaries: Youth, women, and disadvantaged communities remain key focus groups.
- Project Requirements: Proposals must present a clear employment creation model, with demonstrable and measurable outcomes.
- Funding Structure: A minimum of 50% co-financing (cash or in-kind) is required from applicants.
- Sustainability: Emphasis on long-term job sustainability and ecosystem development.
- Partnerships: Collaboration with other NGOs, private sector entities, or government stakeholders is encouraged
4. Relevance to SayPro
SayPro’s ongoing work in youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and community upliftment positions it as a strong candidate for this funding opportunity. Key areas of synergy include:
- Green skills training and environmental education programs
- Informal sector business incubation and mentorship
- Community recycling and circular economy initiatives
Puluko Nkiwane identified strong potential for SayPro to lead or co-lead a proposal, especially given the organization’s national reach and programmatic expertise.
5. Recommended Actions
- Convene internal stakeholders to assess potential project ideas and funding alignment
- Initiate concept note drafting process
- Identify potential partners and stakeholders for collaboration
- Develop a full proposal aligned with Jobs Fund submission guidelines and deadlines
Report Prepared By:
Puluko Nkiwane
Chief Marketing Officer
SayPro
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