UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY: National Treasury’s Jobs Fund Launches 13th Funding Round for Green and Informal Economies
BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA
PRETORIA — As South Africa continues to battle a persistently high unemployment rate and widening inequality, the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund has officially launched its 13th Funding Round. The initiative is an urgent call for bold, innovative solutions capable of unlocking scalable and sustainable employment across the country.Operating under the theme "Catalysing Demand-Led Growth in the Green and Informal Economy," the latest funding window opened on 18 May and will accept applications until 30 June 2026.
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The Reality of the Labour Market
South Africa’s labour market remains under severe strain. Data from the Q1 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey reveals that the national unemployment rate stands at a staggering 32.7%. Youth and women continue to face the highest barriers to entering the economy, underscoring the vital need for targeted, scalable interventions that can absorb labour and foster inclusive growth.
The Jobs Fund’s 13th Funding Round serves as a catalytic response to these deep-seated challenges. By utilizing a match-funding model, the Fund aims to pull in private and non-profit sector investments, de-risk new innovations, and back solutions that yield measurable employment outcomes at scale.
A Proven Track Record of Success
Since its inception in June 2011, the Jobs Fund has established a powerful legacy of public-private collaboration:
Public Funding Committed: R7.7 billion in public funds have been allocated.
Matched Contributions: An additional R15.7 billion has been leveraged from co-investment partners.
Impactful Projects: Over 180 projects have been supported across 12 previous funding rounds.
Jobs Created: More than 343,000 jobs and internships have been successfully established.
Skills Developed: Over 418,000 work-seekers and entrepreneurs have received critical training.
Inclusivity Metrics: Notably, 66% of all programme participants have been youth, 58% have been women, and 98% hail from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Targeting the Green and Informal Sectors
The 13th Funding Round specifically targets sectors with immense labour absorption potential. The green economy presents a massive opportunity to drive job creation while simultaneously advancing South Africa's transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Concurrently, the informal economy—which currently employs over 5.7 million people—remains heavily underdeveloped compared to other emerging markets. While both sectors face structural barriers such as regulatory constraints, skills shortages, and limited access to finance, the Jobs Fund is actively seeking proposals that directly dismantle these bottlenecks.
“The scale of South Africa’s unemployment challenge requires a fundamentally different approach... Through the 13th Funding Round, we are looking to partner with organisations that are responding to today’s employment challenges and are actively shaping the future of work in South Africa,” stated Najwah Allie-Edries, Head of the Jobs Fund.
How to Apply: Key Criteria for Applicants
The funding round operates on a strictly competitive, transparent basis. Applications are open to sector intermediaries across the private, public, and non-profit sectors that possess a proven track record of implementation and the ability to deliver measurable results within a three-year window.
Minimum Grant Allocation: Successful applicants will receive a minimum grant of R5 million.
Match-Funding Requirement: All proposals must secure matched funding to demonstrate a shared commitment and maximize long-term impact.
Sector Openness: While the primary focus is on the green and informal economies, high-quality proposals from other sectors with high job creation potential will also be considered.
Applications must be submitted by 30 June 2026 at 15:00 PM. Interested organizations can find detailed eligibility criteria and submit proposals by visiting the official Jobs Fund website or by contacting jobsfund@treasury.gov.za.
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