Disability Empowerment Fund – Eastern Cape (South Africa)

Deadline: 12-Oct-2026

The Disability Empowerment Fund provides materials and equipment to entrepreneurs, businesses, cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations led by or serving Persons with Disabilities in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The Fund provides non-cash support of up to R100,000, depending on the applicant category, to help eligible enterprises and organizations strengthen their operations and community initiatives. Eligible applicants must be Persons with Disabilities or organizations appropriately led by or serving Persons with Disabilities and must reside or operate in the Eastern Cape. Applications require supporting documents including proof of disability, proof of address, a business plan, motivation, supplier quotations, and relevant registration documents. What Is the Disability Empowerment Fund? The Disability Empowerment Fund is designed to promote economic participation and empowerment among Persons with Disabilities in the Eastern Cape. Rather than providing direct cash grants, the Fund supports successful applicants through the purchase or provision of essential materials and equipment required to establish, improve, or expand a business or community initiative. The Fund supports several types of applicants, including: - Individual entrepreneurs - Informal businesses - Registered companies - Cooperatives - Nonprofit organizations - Youth entrepreneurs - Women entrepreneurs - Disability-owned enterprises - Organizations serving Persons with Disabilities Disability Empowerment Fund Grant Amounts The maximum value of support depends on the applicant category.

- Individual entrepreneurs: Up to R30,000

- Youth entrepreneurs: Up to R40,000

- Women entrepreneurs: Up to R50,000

- Disability-owned companies or cooperatives: Up to R75,000

- Disability-focused NPOs: Up to R100,000

The support is provided in the form of approved materials and equipment rather than a cash payment. What Does the Fund Pay For? The Fund is intended to provide essential materials and equipment that can help applicants operate, develop, or expand their businesses or community initiatives. Applicants should clearly identify the items they require and explain how each item will contribute to their proposed activities.

The requested items should be:

- Directly relevant to the business or organization - Necessary for the proposed activities - Clearly identified in the application - Supported by supplier quotations - Not previously funded by another organization No Cash Payments The Disability Empowerment Fund does not provide approved applicants with direct cash payments. Instead, approved support is provided through the procurement or provision of the approved materials and equipment. This means applicants should not structure their applications around receiving money for general business expenses. They should clearly specify the equipment or materials required and provide appropriate supplier quotations. Restrictions on Funded Equipment Materials and equipment provided through the Fund are subject to restrictions.

Approved items may not be:

- Sold - Transferred to another person or organization - Disposed of without written approval from DEET. Applicants should therefore understand that funded equipment must be used for its approved purpose and cannot be freely sold or transferred after support is received. Who Is Eligible? The Fund is intended for Persons with Disabilities and entities that are led by or serve Persons with Disabilities.

Applicants must:

- Be a Person with a Disability or an eligible entity led by or serving Persons with Disabilities. - Reside in or operate within the Eastern Cape. - Provide proof of disability where required. - Provide proof of an Eastern Cape address. - Meet the relevant ownership, control, or governance requirements. - Demonstrate that requested items have not already been funded by another organization.

Eligibility requirements differ according to the applicant category

Eligibility for Companies, Cooperatives and NPOs

Companies, cooperatives, and nonprofit organizations must demonstrate appropriate involvement of Persons with Disabilities through their ownership, control, or governance structure. Applicants may therefore need to provide documentation showing: - Ownership structure - Management or control arrangements - Board composition - Registration status - The organization’s role in supporting Persons with Disabilities Disability-focused NPOs should demonstrate that their activities directly serve Persons with Disabilities. Eastern Cape Requirement Applicants must have a clear connection to the Eastern Cape. Depending on the applicant type, this may be demonstrated through documentation showing that the applicant: - Resides in the Eastern Cape - Operates a business in the Eastern Cape - Has an organization or initiative based in the Eastern Cape Proof of address is an important component of the application. Required Application Documents Applicants must submit a complete set of supporting documents.

The application should include:

- Completed and signed application form - Motivation of at least two full pages - Complete business plan - Certified identity document - Proof of disability - Proof of Eastern Cape address - Detailed list of requested materials and equipment - Three comparable supplier quotations - Relevant business, cooperative, company, or NPO registration documents Applicants should ensure that documents are complete, current, and consistent with the information provided in the application form. How to Prepare the Motivation The motivation is an important part of the application and must be at least two full pages.

A strong motivation should explain:

- Who the applicant is - The nature of the business or organization - How the applicant is connected to Persons with Disabilities - What materials or equipment are required - Why the requested items are necessary - How the equipment will improve the business or initiative - Expected economic or communi