Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) and Target Group 2025/2026 Open Call for Grant Applications

Deadline: 06-Dec-2024

The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has announced the opening of Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) and Target Group: Arts and Social Development call for grant funding applications to the cultural and creative industries/Arts, Culture and Heritage Fraternity.

Categories

• Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE):
  • Launched with a mandate to increase the economic growth and to create jobs in the country, the Mzansi Golden Economy strategy considers the arts, culture, and heritage sector as the “new gold” which has the potential to reposition the sector as the key market player in the country’s economic development. With improved investment in key creative economy areas, the department believes the strategy has the potential to enhance job creation, productivity as well as to increase the sector’s global competitiveness.
  • The Open Call is for the following streams:
    • Cultural and Creative Industries Projects (CCIPs): The cultural and creative industries projects workstream supports large and medium-scale national projects that promote the arts, culture and heritage and that contribute to local economic development, job creation and the development of audiences.
    • Touring Ventures: The Touring Ventures programme aims to support broader, cost-effective opportunities for the nation’s cultural output to be viewed, participated in and enjoyed within South Africa and abroad.
• The Target Groups:
  • Arts and Social Development funding is earmarked for Non-Profit Organisations that facilitate participation and development of targeted groups:
    • Children
    • Persons living with Disabilities
    • Older Persons
    • Women

Funding Information

• Cultural and Creative Industries Projects (CCIPs) and Touring Ventures:
  • The maximum available grant is R 1 million per month per grant per beneficiary.
  • The grant amount will be awarded at the discretion of the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC).
• The Target Groups:
  • Budget should not exceed R1 000 000.00

Eligibility Criteria

• Cultural and Creative Industries Projects (CCIPs):
  • Time Frame and Footprint
    • Implementation of Project/Programmes to run for a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of nine (9) months, May 2025 to February 2026.
    • Projects/Programmes must have a national and/or provincial footprint.
  • Job Creation & Local Economic Development
    • Improve employment and income opportunities for creative professionals/practitioners and promote vibrant cultural and creative industries.
    • The extent to which women, youth and people with disabilities enjoy a share of ownership, participation and employment,
    • The cost per job/work opportunity,
    • The number of jobs/work opportunities created for cultural and creative practitioners/ artists based within the specific local district,
    • The number of jobs/work opportunities created for supporting sectors within a local district/locality.
  • Stimulate demand and consumption
    • Incorporate economic activity that includes the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services with cultural, artistic, or creative content.
  • Social Cohesion
    • Promoting a positive image and identity of their diverse nation through shared values, interests, and aspirations.
    • Diversity of programming, content and audiences/patrons.
  • Creative: Innovation & Competitiveness
    • Distinctiveness of the proposed project in the context of comparison. activities in the proposed locality and province.
    • Quality of the cultural and creative programme content.
• Touring Ventures:
  • An existing cultural and creative product
    • To an extent that the existing product can demonstrate that it is viable, marketable and potentially profitable.
  • Job Creation & Local Economic Development
    • The extent to which women, youth and people with disabilities enjoy a share of ownership, participation and employment,
    • The cost per job/work opportunity,
    • The number of jobs/work opportunities created for cultural and creative practitioners/ artists.
  • Market Access/Development
    • The extent to which the event will extend the market potential of participants
    • Provide details of the potential market that is being explored and/or developed. 4. Creative: Innovation & Competitiveness
    • Distinctiveness of the proposed project.
    • Quality of the cultural and creative programme content.
  • For Solo National Tours
    • The artist(s) should have a proven track record of high-quality performances/presentations/showcases and critical acclaim.
    • The tour should demonstrate a high level of artistic innovation and creativity.
    • The project should have significant cultural value and contribute to the enrichment of the local arts scene.
    • The tour should have a clear strategy for engaging and developing local audiences.
    • A detailed tour plan including venues, dates, and logistical arrangements must be provided.
• The Target Groups:
  • The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture hereby invites suitable project proposals and applications from Non-Profit Organisations/Companies (NPOs/NPCs) that are working and actively involved in the Arts, Culture and Heritage sectors. Organisations that implement Elements of a Gender Based Violence Prevention Programmes are an added advantage.

For more information, visit National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.