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

12.02.2023 - 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, to cover the basic needs of the poorest social classes, especially in rural areas.

Sister Martha Modiba at the Unjani Clinic in Midrand
Sister Martha Modiba at the Unjani Clinic in Midrand© GIZ/Keamo Mlangeni

Guideline for the Micro-Project -Scheme financed by the German Diplomatic Missions

The micro-project scheme is part of Germany's overall development co-operation that

contributes to poverty alleviation and improvement of living standards, to cover the basic needs of the poorest social classes, especially in rural areas.

Basic guidelines for application:

  • Projects, which cannot be financed by the body responsible itself (e.g. Community Based, Non-Government and Faith Based Organizations registered in South Africa) can be supported.

  • Project examples to be funded: Bore holes, garden projects, shelters for vulnerable children, construction/renovation of school classes, income generating articles (sewing machines, tools/machines for a joinery or a locksmith's trade) etc.

  • Project examples not to be funded: Vehicles, private business start-ups, administrative costs, travel expenditure, stipends, any running costs,    Air time, Data, banking fees etc. Also, projects, which are of advantage to Government agencies, business people or other individuals seeking support in order to establish or improve their services or private businesses do not qualify for the.

  • A maximum amount of EUR 25.000,00 (The exchange rates into local currency may vary) can be granted per project.

  • The applicant organization has to contribute financially or by labour (self-help).

  • The Payment of funds needs to be spit in several smaller payments. The full amount can only be paid out at once under special conditions. If those conditions apply will be determined by the Embassy.

The following documents/information should be submitted as application to microprojects@pret.diplo.de:

  • An application letter, dated and signed by two persons responsible for the project, addressed to the German Diplomatic Mission, stating the project title and the amount of the funds (requested names, contact details and signatures of the two persons responsible for the execution of the project/ signing of the contract; passport or other official documents need to be provided for identification purposes).

  • Detailed information of the applying institution/group, complete address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, its legal form etc. (can be done on the basis of the application form of the embassy); documentation for the registration of the organisation and its constitution must be provided.

  • Detailed information of the project, exact location/address etc. Please state the current situation/problem, which efforts have been undertaken so far to realise the project, describe the development policy objective and what measures could be taken in order to improve the situation.

  • Submission of three independent quotations for each material and services.

  • List of total costs according to the most cost-effective quotation. 

  • Own contributions, in money or by manpower. 

  • If building activities of any kind are concerned, proof of ownership for the land (Rental Agreement for more than 5 years or Title Deed. 

  • Estimated project time frame (project needs to be finished within the same year). 

  • Declaration of possible follow-up costs (to be covered by beneficiary). 

  • A registration Certificate as a Non-Profit Organization / Non-Profit Company / Public Benefit Organisation etc. 

  • An official Certificate of Tax Exemption of the given Organization. 

Visitation of Site

Before the application finally can be approved, the site of the project has to be visited

by a representative of the diplomatic mission. In order that any funds can be released, a

contract has to be signed by two representatives of the applying organization and representative of the Embassy.

After completion of the given project

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

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