The Isiqalo Youth Fund will be transferred to the Office of the Premier with effect from 1 April 2021.
The Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) is as such no longer receiving and considering new applications, potential applicants are requested to await formal communication from OTP regarding the administration of the fund.
This notification follows the formal announcement made by the honourable Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane in his 2021 State of the Province Address (SOPA).
The Premier said the relocation of the fund forms part of the efforts to strengthen and centralise the coordination of youth development in the Office of the Premier. The notification seeks to alert the stakeholders of DEDEAT, especially the young people who may have missed the announcement.
The Isiqalo Youth Fund is designed to provide financial and non-financial support to youth-owned enterprises.
It is targeting 100% youth-owned enterprises operating or seeking to operate in the Eastern Cape and offers a wide range of funding and technical support services across a wide spectrum of sectors to emerging youth-owned enterprises.
