Grants-in-Aid: Community, Arts & Culture (South Africa)

Deadline: 14-Sep-26

The City of Cape Town invites registered organisations to apply for grants-in-aid to implement evidence-based prevention and skills development programmes in vulnerable communities across the city during the 2026/2027 financial year. The funding call, led by the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department, supports programmes addressing substance abuse prevention, gender equality, and early childhood caregiver development. The initiatives are intended to reduce risk factors, strengthen protective factors, and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities. A total of R5 million is available across the three programme categories, although applicants should note that not all proposals will receive full funding. The City may provide partial funding depending on the quality and scope of proposals and the available budget.

About the Grants-in-Aid Programme

The City of Cape Town is seeking proposals from registered organisations to deliver preventative interventions in vulnerable communities across the city. The programmes should be based on evidence and prevention science principles and should focus on addressing factors that contribute to substance abuse, gender inequality, gender-based violence, and challenges affecting early childhood development. The call supports three programme categories: - Substance Abuse Prevention Programmes. - Gender Programmes. - Early Childhood Caregiver Programmes. Funding Available The City has allocated funding across the three programme categories.

The available amounts are:

- Substance Abuse Prevention Programmes: R2,000,000.

- Gender Programmes: R1,000,000.

- Early Childhood Caregiver Programmes: R2,000,000.

The total indicative funding available across the three categories is R5,000,000. Applicants should submit realistic budgets that clearly reflect the activities and resources required to implement their proposed programmes.

Partial Funding

Applicants should not assume that the full requested amount will be awarded. The City of Cape Town may allocate partial funding to successful proposals. Organisations should therefore prepare realistic and cost-effective budgets and clearly identify the activities that can be delivered using the requested funding. Substance Abuse Prevention Programmes Substance Abuse Prevention Programmes should focus on preventative interventions targeting children, adolescents, or families.

Eligible target groups include:

- Children aged 6–12 years. - Adolescents aged 10–19 years. - Caregivers with children aged 10–17 years through family-based interventions. The programmes should focus on reducing substance abuse risk and strengthening protective factors among children, young people, caregivers, and families. Family-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Family-based interventions can target caregivers with children aged 10–17 years. These programmes should strengthen family-level protective factors and help families develop skills and behaviours that can reduce risks associated with substance abuse. Applicants should demonstrate how their interventions will support positive family relationships and contribute to stronger family and community cohesion. Gender Programmes Gender Programmes should use a gender transformative approach and focus on families, young boys, or young girls.

Eligible target groups include:

- Families. - Young boys aged 13–17 years. - Young girls aged 13–17 years. Programmes should go beyond awareness-raising and address underlying factors that contribute to gender inequality and gender-based violence. Gender Equality and Gender-Based Violence Gender programmes must address the root causes of gender-based violence and promote gender equality. Applicants should demonstrate how their programmes will challenge harmful gender norms and contribute to healthier and more equitable relationships. The proposed approach should be appropriate for the target group and should support positive behavioural and social change. Early Childhood Caregiver Programmes Early Childhood Caregiver Programmes should support caregivers of young children through home-based learning and skills development. The target group is caregivers of children aged 2–6 years.

Proposals should include:

- Home-based learning activities. - Caregiver skills development. - Comprehensive activity plans. - Resource toolkits. The programmes should provide caregivers with practical skills and resources that can support children’s early development. Prevention Science Principles All proposals must demonstrate alignment with prevention science principles and best practices. This means programmes should be designed around an understanding of the factors that increase risk and those that provide protection. Applicants should demonstrate how their interventions apply evidence-informed approaches and respond appropriately to the developmental needs of their target groups. Risk and Protective Factors A key requirement is a clear focus on risk and protective factors.

Applicants should explain:

- Which risk factors their programme addresses. - Which protective factors the programme seeks to strengthen. - How the proposed activities will reduce risk. - How participants will develop skills and positive behaviours. - How families and communities will be strengthened. The programme design should demonstrate a clear connection between identified risks, proposed interventions, and expected outcomes. Evidence-Informed Approaches Proposed interventions should use evidence-informed approaches and best practices. Programmes should be based on approaches that are appropriate for the target population and capable of addressing the specific risks and needs identified within vulnerable communities. Developmentally Appropriate Interventions Programmes should be developmentally appropriate for the children, adolescents, caregivers, and families they intend to serve. Applicants should ensure that activities, materials, communication methods, and skills-bu