Limpopo LED Programme Grant Funding Passes R150 million Mark

The Limpopo Local Economic Development (LED) Programme has now invested grant funding of more than R150 million to support 80 projects and other key initiatives in the province.

The 34 million Euro programme is funded by the European Union (EU) and is being implemented by the Limpopo Department of Local Government & Housing (DLGH).

The Limpopo LED Programme's fundamental aim is to "reduce poverty through pro-poor economic growth" by supporting commercially viable projects that draw marginalised communities into the mainstream economy, make Limpopo more competitive, and improve municipalities' ability to facilitate LED. Most of the projects are underpinned by partnerships between private developers and marginalised groups, with many also including public sector participation.

The Limpopo LED Programme uses an integrated approach that combines grant funded instruments with technical assistance. Three grant funds have been mobilised:

* The Marginalised Community Fund (MCF) which empowers communities to develop assets such as restituted or under-utilised communal     land, and to move from the marginalised economy to the mainstream economy.

For more information on MCF Projects, please refer to...

* The Local Competitiveness Fund (LCF) which supports businesses to grow by becoming more competitive and  creating more jobs.

For more information on LCF Projects, please refer to...

* The Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) which assists municipalities to improve the business climate in their areas and their     capacities to facilitate local economic development, create more jobs and reduce poverty. 

For more information on LGSF Projects, please refer to...

The Limpopo LED Programme makes grants of up to 70% of the value of projects, enabling beneficiaries to leverage additional funding through financial institutions. Projects are selected through competitive calls for proposals.

In terms of technical assistance, activities include management, project generation, technical support to projects, finance and accounting, monitoring and evaluation.

In addition, the Limpopo LED Programme is funding two other initiatives:

* A Capacity Building Programme  to  strengthen  the  current  weak  ability  of  many  municipalities  to  establish an investor-friendly,     job-creating  climate in their areas by developing and implementing sound LED strategies and plans.

* The Limpopo Centre for LED which has been established as a long-term LED training, research and information resource for the province.

The grant funding programme has been virtually completed, with the allocation of R150 774 311 to 80 projects covering the MCF, the LCF and the LGSF.