Are you a young entrepreneur with a business idea or an existing business in need of financial assistance? If yes, you might consider applying for a grant from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA). Through the NYDA Funding Programme, the agency provides financial support to young entrepreneurs with promising prospects for enterprise development. Between 2019 and 2020, the agency funded 1136 youth-owned enterprises and supported a total of 20,730 beneficiaries with business development support services.
What does the NYDA Funding provide?
The NYDA funding provides between R1000 and R200 000 in financial assistance to individuals, youth co-operatives, and community development facilitation projects. The funding options are divided according to the following categories:
- Threshold 1 Idea generation and survivalist stage (start-ups): R1 000 – R10 000
- Threshold 2 Start-up enterprises and co-operatives: R10 001 – R50 000
- Threshold 3 Growth stage enterprises and co-operatives: R50 001 – R100 000
- Threshold 4 Expansion stage enterprises and co-operatives: R100 001 – R200 000
Agriculture and technology-related projects can receive up to R250,000. The grant funding can be used for purchasing assets, renovations, paying working capital to grantees, bridging finance, and co-funding with legal entities. In addition to financial support, those who qualify for the grant program can also receive non-financial support services such as mentorship, consultancy services, and training programs.
Do you qualify for NYDA funding?
To qualify for the NYDA funding, you must be a South African citizen between 18 and 35 years old. The latest you can apply is three months before you turn 35. You must reside within South Africa and operate a 100% youth-owned formal or informal business. The business must be commercially viable and sustainable. In addition, you must possess relevant experience, skills, or qualifications appropriate for the enterprise that you conduct or intend to conduct. You must be involved in the day-to-day operation of the business, and at least one member, preferably the main applicant, must be a full-time employee of the business.
Note that you do not qualify for the NYDA funding program if:
- Your enterprise has an annual turnover of over R750 000
- Your co-operative has an annual turnover of over R1 000 000
- You seek funding for research and development.
- You have been convicted of fraud.
- You are under debt administration.
- The primary source of your business income is tobacco, alcohol, or gambling.
- You have received grant funding above R500 000 from another Development Finance Institution.
You must also have a business mentor or coach approved by the NYDA. In cases where you do not have one, the NYDA will allocate a business mentor if the application is approved. If the grant application is successful, the applicant may be required to resign from their full-time employment and provide proof. Another important requirement is to enroll in the Business Management training programme facilitated by the NYDA for young entrepreneurs or have proof of having attended the training course.
The Business Management training programme, which is approved and accredited by the International Labour Organisation, is designed to support entrepreneurs in the idea generation, survivalist, start-up, early development and growth and expansion stages of business. Participants will learn to start and grow their businesses and create employment over three to six training days. In some cases, a presentation and pitching session may be included, and certificates of completion are issued on the last day of training. To apply for the Business Management Training, you need to visit your nearest NYDA branch
Application process
To start the application process, visit the nearest NYDA branch or district office, where they will conduct a pre-assessment before the grant application. Alternatively, you can contact the NYDA call centre on 0800 52 52 52. It is strongly advised, however, to visit the nearest branch to avoid long delays.
Make sure to fill out the NYDA Voucher and Grant Client Application Form. You can download it here. Submit the application form at the NYDA branch with the following supporting documents:
- A certified identity document (ID)
- Proof of residence
- A copy of your company registration form (if it is registered)
- A company profile
- A detailed list of current employees
- A personal or business bank statement
- A business plan (if you are applying for a grant above R50 000)
- Quotations from suppliers
- Proof of attending the Business Management Training course.
You will also be required to make a 10-minute business pitch or presentation. This can be done in person or telephonically. An NYDA official will then perform a due diligence assessment, and the business will undergo a credit check.
Applications are processed within 30 working days. The Branch Grant Approval and Review Committee will review your application and determine a final and binding outcome. Applicants cannot appeal rejected applications, but you may re-apply for grant funding (provided that you still meet the qualification criteria, of course). If the application is approved, the disbursement will be approved by Head Office within 30 working days.