National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) - Grant

The NYDA provides grant finance in the form of micro-finance grants for survivalist youth entrepreneurship and co-operative grants for greater participation of youth in the co-operative sector.

The objective of the grant programme is to provide young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access both financial and non-financial business development support to establish their survivalist businesses. The programme focuses on youth entrepreneurs who are just coming into existence and are beginning to display signs of future potential but are not yet fully developed.

The grant finance starts from R1 000 to a maximum of R200 000 for any individual or youth co-operative. For agriculture and technology-related projects, the maximum threshold is R250 000. 

Young people interested in accessing the grant programme will have to commit to participating in the NYDA mentorship and voucher programme for a minimum of two years.

The types of businesses that will be assisted through the grant programme include but are not limited to:

• Motor mechanics/panel beaters.
  
• Electricians.
  
• Plumbers.
  
• Domestic appliance repair services.
  
• Beauticians.
  
• Hairdressers.
  
• Cleaning companies.
  
• Small-scale recycling companies.
  
• Street vendors.
  
• Car washes.
  

Eligibility criteria 

• South African citizens, under 35.
  
• Previously disadvantaged, start-up or emerging entrepreneurs.
  
• Businesses that are not yet profitable.
  
• Applying businesses must be prepared to commit to the two-year NYDA mentorship and voucher programme.
• The main applicant must be involved in the day-to-day operations of the business.

Application process

Contact your nearest NYDA branch to obtain the application form or call them on 0800 52 52 52.