Ethekwini: The eThekwini Municipality's Recreation and Parks Directorate has extended an invitation to registered and eligible non-profit organisations, non-government organisations, and non-profit companies operating in the performing arts and culture sectors to apply for Grant-In-Aid funding for the 2025/26 financial year.

According to South African Government News Agency, this funding initiative is in line with the municipality's Integrated Development Plan. It aims to offer financial and material support to community-based organisations that engage in promoting performing arts and cultural programmes, artist development, social cohesion, and economic opportunities within the eThekwini region.

The municipality has outlined specific areas of focus for the funding, which include music, dance, theatre, comedy, poetry, and cultural development. Applicants must comply with several requirements, such as submitting a completed application form, a valid tax clearance certificate, the latest annual financial statements, certified copies of registration and directors' identity documents, and a comprehensive organisational profile and project or business plan.

Organisations must also provide proof of physical address, bank account details, registration on both the municipal supplier database and the Central Supplier Database, two recent reference letters from the creative sector, and an affidavit confirming that none of the directors are employed by the eThekwini Municipality or any other government department.

For those interested, application forms and guideline documents can be accessed on the eThekwini Municipality's website at www.durban.gov.za or obtained from the Arts and Living Cultures Office located at the Stable Theatre, 115 Johannes Nkosi Street, Greyville.