Applications Open for DEDAT Stipend Funding 2025/26

The Western Cape Government’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) has announced the opening of applications for stipend funding for the 2025/26 financial year. This initiative, supported by Provincial Treasury, forms part of the Experiential Learning Programme aimed at providing unemployed youth in the province with practical work experience in high-demand economic sectors.

Programme Overview

The stipend funding supports placements ranging from 3 to 12 months, with an extension of up to 18 months for the Artisan Development Programme (ADP). The programme equips young individuals with technical and soft skills, improving their long-term employment prospects. A key requirement is that host companies must commit to offering employment to beneficiaries following the programme.

Eligibility Criteria

For Host Companies:

To qualify for funding, companies must:

• Be a registered entity.
• Guarantee employment for beneficiaries post-training.
• Provide a minimum monthly co-payment of R500 per beneficiary.
• Offer mentorship, workplace assessments, and (where possible) accredited training.
• Ensure beneficiaries have not previously participated in a DEDAT-funded programme or been employed in a similar role.

For Beneficiaries:

Eligible participants must:

• Be South African citizens residing in the Western Cape, aged 18-35.
• Be unemployed at the time of application.
• Possess a valid ID (temporary IDs are not accepted).
• Not have been employed in the same role or sector previously unless approved by DEDAT.

Application Process

Interested companies must submit an Expression of Interest along with required documents, available at www.westerncape.gov.za. The evaluation process considers factors such as alignment with economic priorities, training quality, and previous company performance.

Successful applicants will be notified within 30 working days. Funding is subject to availability, and companies must onboard beneficiaries within two months of approval.

You can access more information here. 

For more information or to apply, visit www.westerncape.gov.za or contact Dedat.Placement@westerncape.gov.za.