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.

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