About us

In a South African context, there is no shortage of work to be done to address social barriers and access to employment and economic opportunities. The fund supports the considerable creativity, institutional capabilities and broader initiatives that engage people in work that unlocks opportunities while equally benefitting communities.

The Fund, managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) works with 37 Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs), each operating in a variety of thematic areas such as Community Health and Caregiving, Gender-Based Violence, Digital Inclusion, Food security and nutrition, Education, Early Childhood Development, Greening and Environment, Placemaking, and Arts and Culture. The SIPs in turn partner with over 1100 community organisations, networks and structures that create real, tangible, and measurable economic change within communities.

The Social Employment Fund seeks committed partners in the private sector and beyond to take this approach to the next level. The fund has robust screening, reporting and accountability systems able to meet the most stringent of audit requirements – creating a mechanism for fund management that supports these goals.

This is a game-changer funding mechanism that enables resources to do ‘double duty’: supporting social outcomes in relation to health, education, environment and many other important priorities – while eradicating unemployment in South Africa.