Official source
Source domain: dsbd.gov.za
Collected on 5 August 2026
Always confirm details on the official source before acting.
What this means
This document sets out the programme guidelines for the Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS), which is administered by South Africa’s Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). It explains the CIS purpose, eligibility requirements for co-operative enterprises, eligible and non-eligible activities, and the documents applicants must submit. It also describes monitoring and evaluation processes (including site visits and reporting over three years) and the application/administrative process, including a stated six-week turnaround time for evaluation.
What this document offers
Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.
funding incentive applicationOngoing
Apply for funding under the Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS)
Co-operatives can present their business cases to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) for evaluation under the Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS). The incentive is not guaranteed, and DSBD may allow or disallow it in its sole discretion; decisions are final.
- Who it is for
- co-operatives that want to apply for CIS funding
- How to act on it
- Submit a CIS application to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) with the required application information; DSBD evaluates the business case and communicates the outcome.
Show the line this came from
The guidelines set out in this document aim to enable co-operatives to present their business cases to the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), and provide a framework for the department to evaluate such cases.
Facts
Amounts
R 350 000, R 140 000
Key Takeaways
- Programme: Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS)
- Administering department: Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)
- DSBD contributes 100% of total approved project costs up to a maximum grant of R350 000 per co-operative entity
- Maximum grant per co-operative: R350 000 (cumulative across multiple activities/applications must not exceed this)
- Eligible entities must be registered in South Africa under the Co-operatives Act of 2005 and be emerging co-operatives with majority black ownership and HDI ownership; must adhere to co-operative principles and be biased towards women, youth and people with disabilities
- Eligible activities include business development services (must be linked and not exceed 20% of total applied value), technological improvements, machinery/equipment/tools, commercial vehicles, project-linked infrastructure, and working capital (existing co-operatives: not more than R140 000; start-ups: up to 40% of actual activities applied for)
- Non-eligible activities include costs already funded by other government grants/parastatals, tendering/tender documentation costs, liquor and gambling-related activities, acquiring buildings, building office structures/factories, and operating costs such as rent and salaries
- Application documents required include: official DSBD application form, proof of co-operative registration, proof of decision to apply (resolution/minutes), co-operative business plan (DSBD template), three quotations per activity, valid tax clearance certificate, financial statements (existing: current + three-year projections; start-ups: three-year projections), signed constitution by founder members, directors’ CVs and certified IDs, and a current-month bank statement
- Monitoring: approved projects monitored for three years; site visits and project monitoring reports every six months after approval; two monitoring levels (proof of payment verification and performance monitoring)
- Evaluation: annual consolidated report on CIS progress/performance; CIS guidelines/policies reviewed annually
- Application process includes a stated 6 weeks turn-around time for evaluation; outcomes: approved, not approved, or referred back; recourse: appeal or resubmit
- Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)
- Department of Trade and Industry (the dti)
- Co-operatives Incentive Scheme (CIS)
- CIS Adjudication Committee
- CIS secretariat
- Co-operative Enterprises Development Unit (CEDU)
- Enterprise Development and Entrepreneurship
- Adjudication Board
- Co-operatives Act of 2005
- National Co-operatives Association of South Africa (NCASA)
- Small Enterprises Development Agency (SEDA)