Small Businesses, Big Wins: CDI-Jobs Fund SCALE Programme Boosts Job Creation

The Craft and Design Institute’s (CDI) first-ever SCALE (Supporting Creatives + Accelerating Local Enterprises) programme has delivered impressive results, enabling 174 informal craft and design enterprises to expand, and creating at least 55 new jobs in three years.

In partnership with the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund, SCALE breaks new ground by backing self-employed entrepreneurs in the informal sector – many of them running small, unregistered businesses. This marks a significant shift from previous CDI-Jobs Fund initiatives, which focused on larger, more established enterprises.

The CDI has collaborated with the Jobs Fund and other partners for more than a decade. Its Innovation Project alone (2018-2023) created 669 new permanent jobs, fast-tracked 23 innovations, and leveraged R384 million in investment.

The SCALE programme has three cohorts. The first cohort of 96 entrepreneurs began the programme in April 2023. The second cohort started in July 2023 with 61 participants, and the third cohort commenced in February 2024 with 59 entrepreneurs. To date, 216 entrepreneurs have signed up for the SCALE programme, and 174 of them have graduated.

Standout results

CDI Group CEO Erica Elk says SCALE results have surpassed expectations:

Revenue across participants: Soared by 108.86%, compared with a modest 5% target.
Turnover: More than doubled, from R16.8 million to R35.2 million.
Earnings: Six entrepreneurs now earn more than R1 million a year.
Payments to participants: 95% now pay themselves a salary or benefits, averaging R11 346 per month.
Job creation: At least 55 new informal jobs and four permanent jobs have been created.

Reflecting on SCALE’s success, Elk says: “The key point with SCALE was whether our tested methodology for established businesses – catalytic funding, mentoring and support – could be applied to smaller, informal enterprises to create jobs and help grow the economy.

“The answer has been a resounding yes. Not only has the programme stimulated growth in revenue and earnings for business owners, it has also shown us how agile and flexible these informal businesses are in creating new work and job opportunities – down and upstream of their main business activity.”

SCALE methodology

Grant disbursements of R23 000 each gave micro businesses the fuel to grow, for investing in equipment, materials and technical services. In total, R6.4 million in growth grants was channelled in 4 052 transactions.

In tandem with the grant funding, SCALE offered personalised business assessments to help each successful applicant create a business roadmap. This was followed by six months of online training, webinars, and practical support.

Webinars and online training: 207 sessions were delivered through CDI’s learning platform. www.LEARN.org.za.
Mentoring and coaching: The CDI invested 3 500+ hours.
Admin support: Successful applicants received a reporting grant of R5 000 (as an incentive to provide progress reports), and airtime/data to the value of R3 000 (to support online engagements), in addition to the R23 000 grant.
PEEK online marketplace: 174 participants received platform access.
Portable card machines: 119 participants received YOCO Khumo point-of-sale devices to enable any-time/anyplace transactions.
Decorex Cape Town: 16 participants have been showcased via the Department of Small Business Development National Pavilion.

Powerful partnerships

“Millions of South Africans rely on the informal economy for their livelihoods, whether through self-employment or micro-enterprises,” says Najwah Allie-Edries, head of the Jobs Fund. “Supporting the growth of this sector is critical to building a more inclusive economy.

“Through the SCALE programme, we have seen how targeted support can unlock the potential of informal and micro-entrepreneurs – helping them grow sustainable businesses that create jobs, strengthen communities, and contribute to South Africa’s economy.”

Olwethu Kwayiba, CDI Project Manager, adds: “When SCALE launched in 2023, I could never have imagined the scale of its impact. To watch these creatives show up with courage and commitment, persevere through challenges, and demonstrate the true power of the informal economy to drive inclusive growth, has been nothing short of inspiring.

“These results are a testament to the hard work and resilience of our entrepreneurs, and to the unwavering support of our partners. A heartfelt thank you to the Jobs Fund, City of Cape Town, other partners, and the dedicated CDI team – from the Learn Hub to the Market Access team, coaches, and support staff – for walking this journey with us and believing in this vision.

Mzansi Pulse

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Small businesses, big wins: CDI-Jobs Fund SCALE programme boosts job creation

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