In 2020, ACTIVATE! Established a Covid-19 Relief Fund which sought to provide relief support to the network initiatives adversely affected by the pandemic. Informed by the need to maintain this support to the network beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, ACTIVATE! Change Drivers aims to launch the A! Network Fund which essentially sets out to provide support to the network in the form of financial and non-financial resources to the tune of R250 000 for the year 2022. The A! Network Fund seeks to contribute towards strengthening solidarity and resilience within the network by creating opportunities for Activators across all 9 provinces, working across various sectors to connect, share ideas and collaborate in order to deepen the impact of the network in activating change in society. This initiative is grounded in the notion of a “hand up” rather than a “hand out” to the network as we firmly believe that Activators are self-reliant and capable change agents in their own right.

The A! Network Fund will target 25 Activator initiatives from across all 9 provinces, with a particular bias towards rural and semi-rural initiatives because we realize that those in the outskirts of society are where the greatest needs and least help are found, and we wish to contribute toward the bridge of this gap. Furthermore, the Fund will pointedly target collaborative Activator initiatives across various sectors and provinces. Moreover,
the Fund will target Activator-led entrepreneurial and social interventions including start-ups, cooperatives, NGO’s, NPC’s, and other registered and non-registered entities.

Selection Criteria
1. A member of the ACTIVATE! Network
2. Currently running a pro-social/entrepreneurial initiative
3. Demonstrate commitment to act for the benefit of others
4. Demonstrate willingness to collaborate with other Activators
5. Have a positive attitude towards learning and development
6. Application of critical thinking and innovation