Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme launches

The Department of Small Business Development has launched The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP). The programme aims to promote and integrate business opportunities in townships and rural areas. 

The Department of Small Business Development has launched The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP)

TREP aims to create platforms that provide business support infrastructure and an environment where entrepreneurship can thrive and grow. 

The initiative will be spearheaded by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), Seda, and sefa.

The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme

The programme is targetted at township and rural-based enterprises that are owned by entrepreneurs who are based in these respective areas. 

With economic exclusion preventing many budding and talented entrepreneurs from these spaces enter the market, the programme aims to create an environment that supports the growth of entrepreneurial activity with dedicated business support and funding access to enterprises located in rural and township areas.

The programme will provide selected participants with access to remote business incubation, business skills training, product development support, and credit guarantee. In addition, the programme will provide entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch for funding and access to funding including working capital.

How to participate in the programme

In order to apply for the programme, enterprise owners must be South African Nationals. Interested applicants must complete an application form  and submit the form to trep@sefa.org.za. 

Funding applications must be completed through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), National Empowerment Fund (NEF), and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

Schemes available for qualifying entrepreneurs

According to reports, the following schemes are available for qualifying entrepreneurs through TREP:

• Small-Scale Bakeries and confectioneries support programme,
• Autobody repairers and mechanics support programme (as well as small and independent auto spares
• shops and informal automotive entrepreneurs),
• Butcheries support programme,
• Clothing, leather, and textiles support programme,
• Fruits and vegetables support Programme,
• Personal care support programme,
• Spaza-shop support programme,
• Tshisanyama and cooked food support programme.

More details can be found here.

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Featured image: Lagos Techie via Unsplash