Discover the top 10 South African grants available for unemployed youth in 2026. Learn how to apply, who qualifies, and access official links on openlearnership.co.za.

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Top 10 South African Grants to Support Unemployed South African Youth in 2026

Finding reliable financial support can be difficult for unemployed South African youth, especially when trying to gain skills, start a small business, or simply survive while looking for work. Fortunately, several South African grants are available through government departments and national agencies to help young people access opportunities, training, and income support.

These grants are not only financial lifelines — they are steppingstones towards employment, entrepreneurship, and long-term stability. In this post, we highlight the Top 10 South African Grants that every unemployed young person should know about in 2026. Each grant includes an official website link for easy access, helping you apply quickly and confidently.

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1. The Social Relief of Distress (SRD) R370 Grant

The SRD R370 Grant, commonly known as the “R370 Grant”, is designed for unemployed individuals between the ages of 18 and 59 who have no form of income. The grant offers temporary financial relief and is one of the most accessible grants in South Africa.

Who qualifies?

• Unemployed individuals
• No income, UIF, or social grant
• South African citizens, permanent residents, or refugees

Apply online:
https://srd.sassa.gov.za/

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2. The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Grant Programme

The NYDA Grant Programme is perfect for unemployed South African youth planning to start or grow a small business. It funds youth-owned enterprises with grants ranging from R1,000 to R200,000 depending on the business type and stage.

What it supports:

• Startup businesses
• Existing youth enterprises
• Equipment, marketing, training, and compliance

Apply on NYDA website:
https://www.nyda.gov.za/

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3. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Allowances

Although NSFAS is not a typical “cash grant”, it is a crucial South African grant that funds higher education for youth from low-income households. NSFAS pays for tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials.

Who qualifies?

• Students accepted into a public university or TVET college
• Household income below R350,000 per year

Apply here:
https://www.nsfas.org.za/

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4. The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) Business Funding

For unemployed youth with entrepreneurial ambition, SEFA provides grants and funding aimed at helping small and micro businesses gain capital. This includes startup loans, asset financing, and youth-owned enterprise support.

Supports:

• New and growing businesses
• Equipment
• Working capital

Visit SEFA:
https://www.sefa.org.za/

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5. Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Bursaries

The DHET offers several South African grants and bursaries for unemployed youth who want to study at TVET colleges. These bursaries are available through NSFAS but are specifically tailored for vocational training.

Benefits:

• Tuition
• Accommodation
• Transport allowance
• Study material support

More information:
https://www.dhet.gov.za/

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6. The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) Youth Empowerment Fund

The NEF Youth Empowerment Fund offers financial and non-financial support for youth-owned businesses, especially those in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, engineering, and creative industries.

Who can apply?

• Youth aged 18–35
• Individuals starting or expanding a business
• South African citizens

Apply through NEF:
https://www.nefcorp.co.za/

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7. The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Youth Technology Innovation Fund

This grant is perfect for unemployed South African youth who have innovative tech ideas but need funding to develop them. The TIA Youth Technology Innovation Fund provides seed funding for innovation, prototypes, and product development.

Supports:

• Early-stage ideas
• Technology startups
• Prototype development
• Training and mentorship

Apply here:
https://www.tia.org.za/

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8. The Agriculture and Land Reform Youth Grants (DALRRD Funding)

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development (DALRRD) offers grants for youth interested in farming, livestock production, and agro-processing.

Funding supports:

• Farming equipment
• Inputs such as seeds and livestock
• Agro-processing startups

More details:
https://www.dalrrd.gov.za/

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9. The MICT SETA Skills Development Grants

The Media, Information & Communication Technologies SETA provides training grants for unemployed youth who want to enter the digital industries. These grants pay for courses such as:

• IT Support
• Cybersecurity
• Digital Marketing
• Graphic Design
• Animation

Since SETA programmes pay stipends during training, they serve as financial support and skills development.

Learn more:
https://www.mict.org.za/

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10. The Services SETA Skills Grants and Internships

The Services SETA offers grants, learnerships, bursaries, and internships for unemployed South African youth. The programmes come with monthly stipends and help young people gain real workplace experience.

Supports:

• Learnerships
• Internships
• Artisan training
• Bursaries

Apply on Services SETA website:
https://www.servicesseta.org.za/

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Why These Grants Matter for Unemployed South African Youth

Each of these South African grants plays a vital role in supporting young people who face unemployment. They help youth:

• Access higher education
• Start businesses
• Gain practical skills
• Receive temporary income relief
• Enter high-demand industries

With South Africa’s rising youth unemployment rate, these grants create pathways to independence, opportunity, and personal growth.

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How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Funding

To increase your chances of approval:

• Apply early before deadlines
• Ensure your documents are certified
• Write a clear motivation (for business grants)
• Keep copies of all submissions
• Follow all instructions carefully

Youth who stay consistent and apply for multiple opportunities often secure funding faster than expected.

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Final Thoughts

The Top 10 South African Grants listed here offer meaningful financial support to unemployed South African youth who want to study, work, or start a business. Whether you need temporary assistance or long-term funding, there is a programme designed to help you move forward in 2026.

Take time to explore each opportunity, gather your documents, and apply as early as possible. Grants open doors — but only for those who take the first step.

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openlearnership.co.za Disclaimer

The content on openlearnership.co.za is provided for informational purposes only. Although we strive to publish accurate and updated details, grant criteria and application processes may change without notice. Always verify final information on the official websites listed in this article. openlearnership.co.za is not affiliated with any of the grant providers mentioned above.

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