The Grant is open for applications in two Investment Areas of the Honeybush Value Chain: 

1. Sustainable Harvesting Training & related Initiatives
2. Honeybush Processing

Who can apply: 

• Emerging (< 3 years) or established Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) to form and support a cohort of beneficiaries who will receive the intended areas of support from the grant funding.

• Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) to implement their own grant-funded initiatives.

Application journey & timeline:

Enquiries: Ms. Karlin Muller; honeybush2026@dffe.gov.za. More information can be found on the project webpage.

Investment Area 1: Sustainable Harvesting Training & related Initiatives

Aim 

The investment area will support applications that strengthen the Honeybush sector through refresher training aligned with the Sustainable Harvesting Guidelines. It will also advance initiatives that promote continuous capacity building and improved monitoring of sustainable harvesting practices. A minimum of 25 harvesters is expected to benefit from the training.

Requirements:

Emerging and established NPCs, NPOs or CBOs must:

Stage 1 of the Application process: Expression of Interest 

• Have knowledge and experience in the Honeybush industry or related industry, located in the Eastern Cape or Western Cape (e.g. projects or employment history). 

• Have skills development and capacity building expertise (in the case of CBOs, traditional methods can be considered, e.g. proof of trainings as a trainer and/or trainee). 

• Applicants must provide information indicating its capacity to run procurement processes (e.g. policy). CBOs must indicate if support will be needed. 

• Have proof of credibility by submitting the following: (i) Business plan or CBO concept explaining organisation purpose and services; (ii) Proof of organisation registration and in the case for a CBO, provide proof of constitution; (iii) SARS Notice of Registration (IT150); and (iv) a South African bank account confirmation letter. 

• Commit to the sustainability of your project, by aligning with UNDP Social and Environmental Standards by factoring safeguards in your application, e.g. Stakeholder Engagement Plan and/or Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) with community-based partners where necessary.

Stage 2 of the Application process: Comprehensive Application 

A sound project proposal including: 

• Information of the project team to implement the project. 

• Project plan with activities, outputs, budget and timeline. Implementation should be completed by 31 March 2027. 

• Stakeholder Engagement Plan to mobilise beneficiaries as part of project implementation and/or Free or Prior Informed Consent. 

• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. 

• Presentation outline of project for a pitch session to the Technical Advisory Group.

Investment Area 2: Honeybush Processing

AIM

This investment area supports initiatives benefiting a producer or producer clusters within the Honeybush processing value chain. Support may include basic or small-scale processing equipment, as well as training to strengthen processing practices, quality control, and compliance. This also covers the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) and training on its safe use.

Requirements: 

Emerging and established NPCs, NPOs or CBOs must: 

Stage 1 of the Application process: Expression of Interest 

• Have knowledge and experience in the Honeybush industry or related industry, located in the Eastern Cape or Western Cape (e.g. projects or employment history). 

• Have skills development and capacity building expertise (in the case of CBOs, traditional methods can be considered, e.g. proof of trainings as a trainer and/or trainee). 

• Applicants must provide information indicating its capacity to run procurement processes (e.g. policy).CBOs must indicate if support will be needed. 

• Have proof of credibility by submitting the following: (i) Business plan or CBO concept explaining organisation purpose and services; (ii) Proof of organisation registration, and in the case of a CBO, provide proof of constitution; (iii) SARS Notice of Registration (IT150); and (iv) a South African bank account confirmation letter. 

• Commit to the sustainability of your project, by aligning with UNDP Social and Environmental Standards by factoring safeguards in your application, e.g. Stakeholder Engagement Plan and/or Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) with community-based partners where necessary. 

Stage 2 of the Application process: 

Comprehensive Application A sound project proposal including: 

• Information of the project team to implement the project. 

• Project plan with activities, outputs, budget and timeline. Implementation should be completed by 31 March 2027. 

• Stakeholder Engagement Plan to mobilise beneficiaries as part of project implementation and/or Free or Prior Informed Consent. 

• Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. 

• Presentation outline of project for a pitch session to the Technical Advisory Group.

HONEYBUSH SMALL GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

STAGE 1: Submit an Expression of Interest for 1 or 2 or both Investment Areas

Stage 1

Access the Expression of Interest (EOI) application form via the Google Drive folder. 

Stage 2

Download the form and complete all sections. Where relevant, include certified copies of supporting documents. Join us for an information-sharing session either on Thursday, 19 March; Thursday, 26 March 2026, 09:00-10:00 that will help you complete the form. 

Stage 3

Submit your Expression of Interest to Ms. Karlin Muller via email at honeybush2026@dffe.gov.za by midnight 7 April 2026. Use subject line Expression of Interest: Honeybush Small Grant. 

STAGE 4

The DFFE team will review these submissions against the requirements outlined for Stage 1 of the application process. For EOIs that meet the requirements, the DFFE will invite those applicants to continue to Stage 2: Comprehensive Application for further consideration.

STAGE 2: Submit a Comprehensive Application for 1 or 2 or both Investment Areas

Stage 1 

Access the Comprehensive Application form via the OneDrive folder. 

Stage 2

Download the form and complete all sections. Where relevant, include certified copies of supporting documents. Join our online information-sharing sessions held from 09:00–10:00 on Thursday, 16 April; Thursday, 23 April; and Thursday 30 April, where we will introduce the project and provide guidance on the proposal-writing process. 

Stage 3

Submit your Application to Ms. Karlin Muller via email at honeybush2026@dffe.gov.za by midnight 18 May 2026. Use subject line Comprehensive Application: Honeybush Small Grant. 

Stage 4

Evaluation: All applicants at this stage will be invited to provide a pitch presentation. The collective submission will be evaluated and scored by the Technical Advisory Group based on the requirements established for Stage 2 of the application process. 5. Partnership agreements Successful applicants will enter into a partnership agreement with UNDP to formalise project implementation and reporting obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know I am eligible to apply?

2. What is my application journey when applying for both Investment Areas and successful for both? 

• Submit an integrated application for both Investment Areas. 

• Total project budget limit not exceeding ZAR 1,900,000. 

• Implement sequentially, focusing on one Investment Area at a time.

3. What are the application limits?

• Investment Area 1: Approximately 5 applicants (2 NPOs and 3 CBOs). 

• Investment Area 2: Approximately 5 applicants (2 NPOs and 3 CBOs). 

NB: Applicants are encouraged to apply because the above figures are based on assumption.

4. How will grant funds be allocated? 

• Grant funds will be disbursed in three (3) instalments over the course of project implementation.