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Micro projects funded by the German Missions in South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini

17.12.2024 - Press release

The micro-project scheme is part of Germany's overall development co-operation that contributes to poverty alleviation and improvement of living standards and that covers the basic needs of the poorest social classes, especially in rural areas.

Micro-projects – GUFC Africa Foundation NPO
Micro-projects – GUFC Africa Foundation NPO © German Embassy Pretoria

It should provide quick and efficient support where no funds from government institutions, other co-operating partners or civil society organizations are available.

Implementing the German Feminist Foreign Policy and the Just Energy Transition, the focus of the support is on the following topics:

  • Women’s rights, access to equal education and health care, women’s resources and representation
  • Anti-discrimination of any kind, gender equality, anti-discrimination of sexual orientation and physical disabilities
  • Measures supporting the Just Energy Transition
  • Local economic development/alternative livelihoods, especially in communities with phased-out revenues from fossil fuels, small-scale farming

Applications from the priority target regions of Mpumalanga and Limpopo will be given enhanced consideration. Projects in Eastern-, Northern- and Western Cape are coordinated by the Consulate General in Cape Town.

Contact: Consulate General Cape Town

1. Basic guidelines for application

The following type of projects are primarily eligible for funding:

  • Projects that cannot be financed by the responsible body itself (e.g. community based, non-governmental and faith based organizations registered in South Africa, Eswatini or Lesotho).
  • Projects that constitute self-contained measures, i. e. they do not entail recurring obligations for the German Embassy (e.g. ongoing requirement to pay salaries or for consumer goods such as animal feed, medicines, substances/agents, paints, etc.)
  • Project examples to be funded: projects supporting women’s rights and anti-discrimination of any kind, projects that contribute to a just energy transition, bore holes, garden projects, shelters for vulnerable children, construction/renovation of school classroom, income generating articles (i.e. sewing machines, tools/machines for a joinery or a locksmith's trade, etc.)
  • Examples of projects not eligible for funding: Vehicles, private business start-ups, administrative costs, travel expenses, stipends, any running costs, Air time, Data, banking fees
  • Projects supporting Government agencies, business people or other individuals in order to establish or improve their services or private businesses do not qualify. Projects that have already started cannot be funded.
  • A maximum amount of EUR 25,000.00 can be approved per project (the conversion rates into the local currency may vary).
  • The applicant organization has to contribute financially or by labour (self-help).
  • The payment of funds needs to be split in several smaller payments. The full amount can only be paid out at once under special conditions; whether those conditions apply will be determined by the Embassy.
  • The applicant organization must agree on the publication of data about the organization and the project on social media platforms.

2. The following documents/information should be submitted as a form of application for funding to microprojects@pret.diplo.de (the subject of the email should state “MPF 2025: name of the implementer”): ​​​​​​​

  • An official application form, dated and signed by two persons responsible for the project, stating the project title and the amount of funds applied for.
  • Valid Passports or any other form of official identification of the two persons signing the form as the responsible persons for the project.
  • Detailed information of the applying institution with the following:
    • Complete address
    • Telephone number
    • E-mail address
    • Documentation of the registration / copy of the document proving the applicant's legal status
    • Tax clearance certification
    • The constitution
  • The following detailed information of the project must be provided:
    • The exact location/address of where the project will take place provided the project will take place at a different address to the one already provided above about the NPO
    • A detailed statement about the current situation/problems the project wishes to address
    • Information of efforts that have been undertaken so far to realise the project
    • A detailed description of the development policy objective
    • Detailed information of measures that are to be taken in order to improve the described problem/situation
    • Own contributions, in money or by manpower
    • Estimated project time frame (project needs to be finished within the same year)
    • Declaration of possible follow-up costs/running costs (to be covered by beneficiary) once the project has been completed successfully, if any
  • Further documentation to be handed in:
    • Three independent quotations for each material and services needed to complete the described project
    • Completed excel sheet (provided by the Embassy) concerning total costs according to the most cost-effective quotation
    • Proof of ownership/ Title deed or a rental agreement for more than 5 years of the land to be used to fulfil the project objectives describe in the application form
    • Should you plan a project which involves children, you are required to provide us with a current/valid Form 30 for every person in contact with the children

3. Site Visit

Before the application can be approved, the site of the project has to be visited by a representative of the German Diplomatic Mission. Before any funds can be released (paid into the beneficiary’s bank account), a contract has to be signed by the Embassy and the two representatives, who have signed the application form.

4. After completion of the given project

After completion of the project, a “Proof of Employment of Funds” with a written report has to be presented to the German Diplomatic Mission together with a list of the expenses and the valid original invoices. Unused, misused funds and expenses without original invoices have to be refunded to the German Diplomatic Mission. After completion of the project, a representative of the German Diplomatic Mission will visit the project again to assess its success and to ensure proper use of funds.

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