The Jobs Fund has launched a landmark publication, A Decade of Innovation and Partnership: Lessons and Insights on Funding Sustainable Job Creation, highlighting its achievements and the impact of its initiatives over the past ten years.
Since its establishment in 2011, the Jobs Fund has been at the forefront of tackling unemployment in South Africa through innovative funding models and strategic public-private partnerships. The new publication showcases key success stories, lessons learned, and the Fund’s role in supporting enterprises, developing skills and fostering economic resilience.
The publication aims to provide insights into the Fund’s journey, its experience of establishing what was then the largest Challenge Fund globally as well as the knowledge gained on how to implement sustainable, inclusive job creation interventions.
Najwah Allie-Edries, Head of the Jobs Fund says: “Despite the challenges posed by our complex socio-economic history, South Africans continue to demonstrate an incredible capacity for innovation and ingenuity. In this publication the Jobs Fund showcases how the Fund together with its partners have transformed the way in which the unemployed can more effectively be connected to the Labour Market and how entrepreneurs should holistically be supported.”
The publication features a collection of case studies demonstrating how the Fund has helped scale businesses, equip young people with critical skills and support entrepreneurs across diverse sectors. The publication highlights the critical role of job creation in nation-building and underscores the enduring importance of gainful employment in fostering societal progress and individual empowerment.
Ronette Engela, Acting Head of GTAC, emphasised the Fund’s transformative role in job creation: “The Jobs Fund has not only unlocked meaningful employment opportunities but has also strengthened the entrepreneurial and institutional ecosystems that drive economic growth. This publication is a testament to the power of innovative funding and collaborative partnerships in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for South Africa.”
Download the full report here and visit the Jobs Fund website here.