KwaZulu-Natal Youth Empowerment Fund
Funding of R1 000 to R2 million for youth entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 who live in KwaZulu-Natal.
Funding · KwaZulu-Natal
Read moreFREE RESOURCES
Help you can use today.
Competitions and funding chances that are open right now, plus the tools and platforms that help farmers reach buyers.
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These are listed as published. Always check the official source before you apply.
2 opportunities found
Shoprite Act For Change Food Garden Competition
Five community food gardens in South Africa share R1 million in tailored support. Entry is free and no data costs apply.
Competition · All provinces
Read more01 · COMPETITION
Shoprite Act For Change Food Garden Competition
Entries are open for the second Shoprite Act For Change Food Garden Competition, giving community food gardens across South Africa the opportunity to share in R1 million in tailored support.
The competition celebrates gardens that are improving food security, creating opportunities, sharing skills and making a positive impact in their communities.
Entries opened: 20 October 2026
Entries close: 15 November 2026
Prize support: Five winning gardens share R1 million in tailored support
Who may enter: Community food gardens based in South Africa
Cost to enter: Free — no data costs apply
Support on offer: Training, Infrastructure improvements, Garden resources, Other interventions identified through a needs assessment.
02 · FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
KwaZulu-Natal Youth Empowerment Fund
The KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier is accepting applications for the fifth roll-out of the Youth Empowerment Fund. It supports young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 who live in KwaZulu-Natal to start, develop and grow businesses. Applications opened on 5 October 2026 and close on 5 November 2026 — no applications submitted after the closing date will be considered.
R1 000 – R100 000
Informal traders and start-ups
At least 2 job opportunities
R100 000,01 – R500 000
Emerging and growing businesses
At least 4 job opportunities
R500 000,01 – R2 000 000
Growth and scale-up businesses
At least 10 job opportunities
Youth who are women, and youth with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.
PRIORITY SECTORS
Which businesses qualify
Applications are invited from qualifying youth-owned businesses in these sectors:
Agriculture and Agribusiness
Manufacturing
Tourism and Hospitality
Green Economy
Retail
Mining and Mineral Beneficiation
Science, Technology and Innovation
Transport and Logistics
Aquaculture Development
Blue Economy
Creative Industry
HOW TO APPLY
Four steps
01
Get an application form
Collect a form from the KZN Government website or from any Local or District Municipal Office.
02
Complete it with your documents
Include all the supporting documentation the form asks for. Requirements differ per threshold.
03
Hand it in at a municipal office
Submit your completed form at your nearest Local or District Municipal Office. Emailed applications are not accepted.
04
Wait to hear back
Only shortlisted applicants are contacted. Information sessions are held to help applicants — ask the fund for dates and venues.
Enquiries
Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal
kznyouthfund@kznpremier.gov.za
087 743 8684 / 087 131 0345 / 087 131 0353
Forms and details: www.kznonline.gov.za
03 · THE PLATFORM
Community Fresh App
The Community Fresh App is the digital sales platform and retail brand of Hluma Roots, and the backbone of its digital operations.
It expands market reach beyond walk-in customers and helps give small-scale farmers reliable market access — connecting local farmers to consumers, retailers and institutions with real-time information and efficient logistics.
Ask about selling through the app
AGGREGATION PHILOSOPHY
Guaranteed buying and quality control
Hluma Roots combines aggregation, processing and branding to keep produce consistent, high-quality and market-ready.
Guaranteed demand: Hluma Roots acts as a guaranteed buyer for selected small-scale and commercial farmers, giving them stable demand for their crops.
Aggregation services
Aggregation services and mentorship to improve the quality and volume of aggregated produce.
Value addition
Produce is collected, processed and packaged under the Hluma Roots brand for consistency and added value.
Capacity building
Training farmers to meet market standards for volume, traceability and product quality.
STRATEGIC HUBS
Physical hubs, digital reach
The Market Access Hub combines physical infrastructure and the digital platform to connect farmers to buyers.
Primary aggregation centre
The Standerton Agri-Node is the primary aggregation centre, as well as the main agro-processing hub and retail outlet.
Digital platform
The Community Fresh App is the backbone of digital operations, connecting farmers to consumers, retailers and institutions.
Enhanced market reach
The app lists real-time produce availability and pricing, enabling pre-orders and reaching beyond walk-in customers.
Physical sales channels
Aggregated, processed and packaged goods are sold through retail outlets (tuck shops) planned for sites like Deelpan and Standerton.
MORE THAN JUST A MARKET
Building bankable farming enterprises
The Market Access Hub helps small-scale farmers become competitive and bankable. We empower a network of growers by:
Securing formal agreements
Formal offtake agreements with institutional buyers — retailers, food service companies and processors — to guarantee stable demand for key crops.
Increasing farmer margins
Aggregating produce and adding value through processing to increase farmer margins.
Linking channels
A sustainable market for surrounding farmers through physical and digital channels.
Supporting development
Local job creation, digital literacy and skills transfer within the community.
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