Think the Government Won’t Fund Your Business? Here’s How The Jobs Fund Actually Works | Ep. 74

In Episode 74 of the Lucentlands Podcast, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with Najwah Allie-Edries, Head of The Jobs Fund at the National Treasury of South Africa, to explore how this groundbreaking initiative is tackling unemployment, driving economic growth, and supporting businesses and entrepreneurs.Najwah shares her journey in public finance, development, and labor research, offering a deep dive into how The Jobs Fund was created, how it operates, and its long-term impact on job creation across multiple industries. She discusses how public-private partnerships and matching grant funding are unlocking new employment opportunities, particularly in agriculture, small businesses, and youth employment programs.Key Topics Covered:💼 What is The Jobs Fund, and how does it work?🤝 How partnerships between government, business, and NGOs drive job creation📈 Success stories: From small business support to large-scale agricultural projects🌱 The role of The Jobs Fund in supporting farmers and agribusinesses🔑 How businesses and organizations can access funding to expand employment opportunitiesKey Takeaways:•The Jobs Fund is designed as a challenge fund to encourage innovative employment solutions.•Matched funding ensures accountability and long-term sustainability.•Agriculture is a key focus area, with investments in emerging farmers, mechanization, and sustainability.•Successful programs have scaled from local projects to national job creation initiatives.If you’re interested in economic development, entrepreneurship, or securing funding for job creation projects, this episode is a must-listen!Connect with us:Website: https://lucentlands.co.za/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucentlandsmedia/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lucentlandsmediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lucentlandsmedia/