Local Economic Development programme

About Social Employment Fund

In South Africa, there is no shortage of work needed to addressing the many social barriers in our society. The Social Employment Fund (SEF) aims to support the considerable creativity, institutional capabilities, and broader initiatives that already exist in the wider society and to engage people in work that serves the common good.

Managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the SEF has made remarkable strides, providing meaningful work for over 100,000 individuals across various community-benefiting sectors in just over two years. Through 37 Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs), the SEF ensures the engagement of a minimum of 1,000 participants per project, spanning all provinces and focusing on areas such as healthcare, gender-based violence, education, food security, arts and culture and more. Within the SEF, the Social Employment Network (SEN) is a learning and support network that convenes all SIPs in a community of practice that fosters knowledge exchange.

Learn more information about the SEF

The Impact of Social Employment Network (SEN)

Since February 2022, the SEN has actively supported SIPs in a community of practice, sharing information, learnings and feedback on the implementation of the SEF. To date, the Social Employment Network has been instrumental in;

  • Establishing crucial communication pathways between SIPs and the IDC, as well as among SIPs themselves.
  • Providing a collaborative space for SIPs to develop joint solutions and share learnings.
  • Disseminating valuable knowledge and resources to a wider audience through workshops, forums, and digital repositories.
  • Strengthening the ability of SIPs to partner effectively by fostering a supportive network.
  • Improving the impact of individual projects through collaborative learning and shared insights.
  • Encouraging cross-sectoral collaboration and the sharing of innovative practices.

Furthermore, SEN adds value by utilising strategic communications and digital campaigns to showcase the network’s achievements. This not only highlights the SIPs’ impact but also contributes to shifting the narrative about the importance of partnerships, and the value of social employment in driving impact.

A few partners reflect on the benefits and value of the SEN

Stories of impact from the Social Employment Network