Craft and Design Institute (CDI) project to uplift a further 100 craft and design entrepreneurs with training and a R23 000 grant
Applications are now open until 15 June 2023 at https://www.thecdi.org.za/page/SCALE
The Craft and Design Institute has opened a new call for applications for its SCALE [Supporting Creatives + Accelerating Local Enterprises] project, supported by the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund. The initiative is recruiting a further 100 South African craft and design entrepreneurs, who will benefit from bespoke training and mentorship specifically designed for creatives and a boost of R23 000 in grant funding each.
The programme in its first round of applications saw a high percentage of women and youth (entrepreneurs under 35) apply and the CDI is calling on more women and youth nationally to get support in this new intake of 100.
The Craft and Design Institute (CDI) is a non-profit company with over 20 years of success in developing creative people, small businesses and the craft and design sector at large in South Africa. The SCALE programme aims to provide growth-oriented informal enterprises looking to grow their revenue, increase their personal income or employ new staff with grant support, access to markets, training, and mentorship.
The SCALE programme brings together a suite of tried and tested services from CDI to support the growth of 200 self-employed business owners in total in 2023.
“In designing the project intervention, the CDI has drawn on its over 20 years of experience in the sector in successfully delivering market access, capacity development, and in more recent years, financial support to creative enterprises nationally,” says Erica Elk, Group CEO of the CDI.
The project is also supported by contributions from existing funding partners of the CDI, such as the City of Cape Town. It will add value to the agglomeration of services supported by other funders of the CDI, such as the national departments of Small Business Development and Sports, Arts and Culture, the V&A Waterfront and others.
“Millions of South Africans rely on the informal economy to earn a living; they are either self-employed or employed by informal businesses. The Jobs Fund acknowledges that growth in this area is important in building an inclusive economy. The SCALE programme acknowledges the value of the ideas and services that informal/micro entrepreneurs bring to communities and to the economy as a whole,” says Najwah Allie-Edries, Head of the Jobs Fund.
Support offered through SCALE covers the most cited main areas of need identified by individual business owners in this segment: access to markets, finance, and capacity development.
Individual Business Assessments will be offered to successful applicants to assist in creating a roadmap. This will be followed by three months of specially designed training (via online learning), the facilitation of participation in the CDI’s national product market platform www.PEEK.org.za, and the development of an intervention/action plan for the R23 000 grant disbursements. The grant can be used to purchase equipment and/or other professional services.
Successful applicants will also get administrative support to the value of R5 000 and a total allocation of airtime/data to the value of R3 000.
The project’s first call for businesses garnered significant interest, with 100 businesses so far benefiting over the past six months.
“The SCALE programme is making remarkable progress as its current cohort nears completion of their online-based training. Participants have eagerly absorbed knowledge and skills from attending online webinars and are now getting ready to apply their learnings into actionable business intervention plans. With the guidance of their mentors and coaches, they are ready to showcase how the SCALE grant funding will fuel their business expansion,” says Olwethu Kwayiba, the project manager.
Shameema Brown, owner of Shambrown, and one the project’s first 100 participants, says “the SCALE project offered by the CDI is a comprehensive initiative aimed at supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in enhancing their competitiveness and profitability through a range of services including training, mentoring and networking.”
“I’m finding the project to be well-organised and professional, with plans and modules tailored to meet my specific business needs and goals. I’m benefiting specifically from the training and support offered by the CDI’s expert trainers, as well as the opportunity to connect and network with other small business owners and entrepreneurs. I would highly recommend the SCALE project to anyone looking to improve their small business.”
Another participant, Cyrintha Barwise, owner of Lekker leather, says “the CDI as well as the SCALE project has been incredible so far. As a small start-up business, in terms of applying for the project, various skills were tested and just in that process a lot was learnt and gets your head into a business space. The resources available are extremely useful and for an entrepreneur needing support to get their business started, I would highly recommend the SCALE project.”
Applications are now open until 15 June 2023 on the CDI website: https://www.thecdi.org.za/page/SCALE
