The objectives of DGMT’s Inclusion portfolio are to:
- Provide direct support in response to the needs of those who are most left out of South African society;
- Develop the management capacity of community-based organisations that show promise;
- Leverage new or expanded support systematic links to quality service providers;
- Strengthen voice and visibility by supporting advocacy groups for the aged, disabled and other groups that are most left out.
General
2011 has been an interesting, different, at times difficult and extremely busy year. The DGMT’s shift in strategy has resulted in many organisations that have traditionally been secure in receiving DGMT funding struggling to match funding requests to the new focus – this was often experienced as frustration, disappointment and anger. On the flip side, many organisations working in new and innovative ways and in priority geographical areas have been selected for support this year.
Applications:
More than 300 applications were received this year for the Inclusion portfolio. Many organisations required a lot of assistance and guidance either before or after the submission of their Step One application due to the fact that the new application form have changed significantly from previous versions. The need for assistance should decline as organisations become familiar with the new forms as well as our new priority areas for support.
Working within the system:
Because there have been prior relationships with specific staff members, many organisations tend to submit funding applications or report documentation directly to the staff members that they are familiar with. Although we understand the comfort in knowing the person on the other end of the email, bypassing the in-house systems only increases an already heavy workload and negatively affects the in-house processes. It really makes no difference nor does it disadvantage any organisation if an application is submitted via the correct channels – in fact it is brought into the system quicker!
Grants:
The following table details the areas that we supported in 2011 while the graph following illustrates our allocations on specific categories of support:
|
Sector |
Organisations with a particular focus on: |
| Older persons | Home-based care; relief, social programmes, residential facilities (mainly capital and maintenance costs) & awareness re conditions of ageing |
| Disabled | Capacity development/ training, prevention programmes & service delivery |
| Abused Women and Children, | Therapeutic services, safety nets (shelter programmes), justice and law enforcement |
| Caring and protecting persons in difficult circumstances | Children living in insecure environments (orphans; street children; refugee children), children living in children’s homes (family reunification programmes, support for youth transitioning out of places of care) and prevention/ alternative programmes. |
You can read the update on our social capital development focus here. In 2012 we will build on the trends established in 2011, specifically focusing on supporting initiatives that don’t qualify for support from government.
