Grant (no repayment)Government department or agency

Co-operatives Development Support Programme (CDSP)

Department of Small Business Development / SEDFA

Grant funding for registered co-operatives with five or more members, for equipment, working capital, training and compliance. Applications open in windows; the last one closed 20 March 2026.

Amount

Grant capped at R2.5 million, plus a loan where needed

Deadline

Announced per call

Where

National

Who it is for

Co-operatives, Township & rural

Sectors

All sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, services, retail co-ops)

CDSP replaced the old Co-operative Incentive Scheme. Registered primary co-operatives (five or more members) can get a grant of up to R2.5 million for machinery, working capital, business development and compliance costs, with a loan component added for bigger projects.

The programme runs in application windows rather than year-round. The most recent window closed on 20 March 2026; the next is announced on sedfa.org.za and dsbd.gov.za. Use the gap to get the co-op's CIPC registration, tax compliance and bank account in order, because incomplete applications are the main reason co-ops are turned down.

Who qualifies

Co-operative registered with CIPC with at least five members, majority black-owned, tax compliant, with a bank account in the co-op's name and a viable business plan.

How to apply

Watch sedfa.org.za for the next call and apply through the eThuse / SMME portal. Queries: [email protected].

Apply on the funder's site

Insly is not the funder and charges nothing. Amounts and rules are as published by Department of Small Business Development / SEDFA and were last checked 15 Sept 2026; confirm on their site before applying. No legitimate funder charges an application fee.

Co-operatives Development Support Programme (CDSP) | Department of Small Business Development / SEDFA | Insly Funding