CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2027
KZN SOCIAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), will be running the 2027 LED Champions Programme for Social Entrepreneurs. We invite eligible social entrepreneurs across KwaZulu-Natal to apply. Local chambers of commerce, government institutions, and community-based organisations may also nominate suitable candidates.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 31 OCTOBER 2027
The UKZN–EDTEA Regional and Local Economic Development (RLED) Initiative is a collaboration between the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) and the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA). This collaborative initiative seeks to promote impactful research, experiential learning, and community-oriented innovation aimed at addressing pressing socio-economic challenges in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Over the years, the project has built a strong regional network of social entrepreneurs, researchers, practitioners, and public sector stakeholders, establishing a solid foundation in understanding and advancing the social economy within the province. It supports UKZN’s GSB& L core academic pillars of research, teaching, and community engagement while aligning with EDTEA’s mandate to support local economic development and social EDTEA’s mandate to support local economic development and social entrepreneurship.
By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, the initiative contributes to:
- Driving high-impact, context-relevant research in local and regional economic development.
- Facilitating professional development and capacity building through targeted learning
- Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship that is socially and economically transformative.
- Enabling data-driven and evidence-based policy support for local government and communities.
Mission
To strengthen inclusive local economic development in KwaZulu-Natal by promoting research excellence, capacity building, social impact and innovation through strategic partnerships and collaborations.
Vision
To be a transformative driver of sustainable and inclusive socio- economic development in KwaZulu-Natal through collaborative innovation, research-led development, and dynamic support for local and regional economic actors.
