Application Deadline: 11 September 2026 (5:00 PM SAST) South Africa’s transition to a greener and more sustainable economy presents a significant opportunity to create inclusive employment and strengthen local communities. To support this vision, GIZ South Africa has launched the Ideas Competition 2026, inviting emerging and small non-profit organisations (NPOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), NGOs, and similar organisations to submit innovative project proposals. The competition seeks scalable initiatives that generate employment and income opportunities for youth, women, and persons with disabilities within South Africa’s Just Energy Transition. Successful organisations will receive financial support alongside capacity-building assistance to implement their projects across selected Skills Development Zones. About the GIZ Ideas Competition The Ideas Competition forms part of the Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) project, an initiative designed to improve employment pathways and strengthen skills development within South Africa. The CPD4E project is: Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) Co-funded by the European Union (EU) Supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) Implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Through this collaboration, the programme aims to stimulate innovative community-driven solutions that contribute to economic inclusion while supporting the country’s clean energy ambitions. What the Competition Is Looking For The programme encourages organisations to develop practical and impactful ideas that address unemployment while contributing to the Just Energy Transition. Projects should demonstrate innovation, community relevance, and the potential to grow beyond their initial implementation. Priority will be given to proposals that: Create sustainable employment opportunities Increase income-generating activities Empower youth through skills and entrepreneurship Promote women’s economic participation Expand opportunities for persons with disabilities Support inclusive and environmentally sustainable local development Innovative approaches may include vocational training, green enterprise development, renewable energy livelihoods, circular economy initiatives, community manufacturing, digital skills, or other employment-focused solutions aligned with the green economy. Funding and Capacity-Building Support Successful applicants will receive more than financial assistance. Selected organisations will benefit from a comprehensive support package that strengthens both project delivery and organisational sustainability. The programme offers: Project implementation funding Capacity-building and institutional development Technical guidance and mentorship Support for developing scalable and sustainable solutions Opportunities to strengthen organisational impact within local communities This combined approach ensures that smaller organisations have the resources and expertise needed to deliver meaningful results while building long-term operational capacity. Geographic Focus Areas Projects must be implemented within the designated Skills Development Zones located in three South African provinces: Mpumalanga Northern Cape Eastern Cape These regions have been prioritised due to their strategic importance in South Africa’s Just Energy Transition and the growing need for inclusive economic opportunities as industries evolve. Who Can Apply? The call is specifically designed for smaller organisations with innovative ideas and strong community connections. Eligible applicants include: Emerging Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Social and community development organisations Similar mission-driven organisations working in employment, skills, inclusion, or sustainable development Applicants should have a clear project concept capable of delivering measurable employment and income outcomes for vulnerable and underrepresented groups. Why This Opportunity Matters South Africa continues to face high levels of youth unemployment and unequal access to economic opportunities. The Just Energy Transition is not only an environmental initiative but also a social and economic transformation that seeks to ensure no community is left behind. This funding opportunity enables grassroots organisations to become active partners in that transformation by designing locally driven solutions that create decent work, strengthen livelihoods, and promote inclusive growth. For many emerging organisations, the combination of funding and capacity-building represents a valuable pathway to expand their impact and establish sustainable community programmes. How to Strengthen an Application Organisations can improve their chances of success by developing proposals that clearly demonstrate both innovation and measurable impact. A competitive application should: Identify a genuine employment challenge within the target community. Present an innovative yet practical solution linked to the Just Energy Transition. Include realistic implementation activities and measurable outcomes. Explain how youth, women, and persons with disabilities will directly benefit. Demonstrate the project’s potential for sustainability and future scalability. Show the organisation’s understanding of local community needs and stakeholder collaboration. Well-structured proposals that combine social inclusion with green economic development are likely to align strongly with the programme’s objectives. Application Deadline All project proposals must be submitted no later than 11 September 2026 at 5:00 PM SAST. Interested organisations should consult the official GIZ application information and submission guidelines before applying. The GIZ South Africa Ideas Competition represents an important opportunity for community organisations to secure funding while contributing to a more inclusive, skills-driven, and sustainable economic future. 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