Request for Proposals: Karoo Sustainable Landscapes Program Social Benefit Fund Grant

The Fund has been established to support practical, community-based initiatives that deliver direct and measurable social benefits to vulnerable rural communities connected to farming systems and natural resource management in the Central Karoo.

About the Funding Call:

The Karoo Sustainable Landscapes Program works with landholders, communities, and strategic partners to restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, improve rural livelihoods, and support more inclusive rural economies.

Through this RFP, Sayari Earth Foundation seeks to identify implementation partners capable of delivering practical and measurable social impact for:

• Vulnerable households in rural towns and farming areas;
• Farm workers and their dependents;
• Commonage farming communities; and
• Small-scale and emerging farmers.

The geographic focus area for Phase 1 is the region between Beaufort West and Murraysburg, including surrounding farms, commonage areas, rural settlements, and urban communities connected to farming systems.

Priority Focus Areas

Proposals should align with one or more of the following focus areas:

1. Support for farm worker households and rural families.
2. Support for commonage, emerging and small-scale farmers.
3. Youth employment, skills development and livelihoods.
4. Early childhood development and child support.
5. Women’s safety, GBV prevention and community leadership.
6. Social service support to urban communities, including water, sanitation, health or education.

Applicants should clearly demonstrate expected beneficiary reach, community participation, measurable social outcomes, and the ability to monitor and report impact.

Funding Available

Funding allocations will depend on proposal quality, feasibility, expected social impact, and available funding within the Social Benefit Fund.

Applications may be submitted for smaller project amounts, or up to a maximum budget of R600,000. Sayari Earth Foundation may award funding to one or more organisations.

Who May Apply

Eligible applicants include registered NGOs, NPOs, community-based organisations, and social enterprises with demonstrated social impact and relevant implementation experience.

Collaborative applications are encouraged where organisations bring complementary expertise.

Submission Deadline

Proposal submission deadline: 26 June 2026

Clarification questions due: 12 June 2026
Notification of successful applicants: 14 July 2026
Anticipated project start date: 01 August 2026

How to Apply

Interested organisations should download the full RFP document and follow the submission guidelines outlined in the RFP.

Sayari Earth Foundation looks forward to partnering with organisations committed to delivering practical, measurable, and lasting social impact for vulnerable rural communities in the Central Karoo.