The Zimbabwean Government recently availed ZW$17 million as a Relief Fund to all the youth whose businesses or survival activities were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. First priority to access the funds is however, being given to all youths-registered companies and associations.
Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Dr Kirsty Coventry, her Deputy Honourable Tinoda Machakaire, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Thokozile Chitepo, Youth Department staff as well as their communication section staff have embarked on a nationwide awareness interaction with the youth exploring the Ministry’s projects and programmes as well as the accessibility of the Covid-19 Youth Relief Fund.
So far they have been to Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West as well as Masvingo provinces and the interaction with the young people is proving to be of great significance for they will get to know first-hand information on youth affairs from the youth themselves. This is indeed vital for it is ever said: “Anything for the youth without the youth is not for the youth.”
A number of young people have been asking a lot of questions to do with the Covid 19 Youth Relief Fund. Some of the questions include: what is the Youth Relief Fund all about? How can it be accessed? Who is a youth? Can one apply if he or she does not have a registered company or association? Does the fund cater for those young people with disabilities? Does each province have an equal share? When is the fund application closing? Who is administering the youth fund? The questions were too many, but this article seeks to answer some of them.
The Youth Relief Fund is a grant that was availed by the Government to help youth businesses and associations that were affected by the Covid-19 lockdown condition. The fund is being administered by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation through its arm, the Zimbabwe Youth Council. Any Zimbabwean between the ages of 18 to 35 can be regarded as a youth. The Covid-19 Youth Relief Fund application form can be accessed online at www.database.zimyouth.org or the applicant can access, fill in and drop a hard copy form at nearby Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, district office. The application assessment committees are set at all levels (district, provincial and national) and will carry all the related checks and balances.
An individual youth can apply for the Covid-19 Youth Relief Fund and the application will be referred to a capacity building programme where assistance would be rendered to have his or her enterprise or company be registered. Special interest groups are included in the fund and careful considerations will be made in assessing their applications.
Let it be noted that as much as the youth registered companies and associations are given first priority to access the funds, no application will be rejected and all unsuccessful applications will be referred to relevant government programmes such as social welfare and entrepreneurship training. All the provinces in the country have equal allocations of the ZW$17million Relief Fund.
For an application to be successful, proof of operation for a minimum of six months to a year prior to lockdown in the form of invoices, orders, delivery notes and bank statements is required.
The applicants must provide proof that they are Zimbabweans and between the ages of 18 and 35. The applicants must also provide proof that they reside in Zimbabwe and their business has been operating in Zimbabwe. The applicants thus must show proof of place of operation for example lease agreement, ZESA bill, Water bill etc. Application feedback is provided soon after the closing of the batch and all things being equal will not not exceed three weeks. Applying for the fund is open until the fund are exhausted. Several batches will be opened from time to time. Currently the Youth Relief Fund upper limit is set at RTGS $5, 000.
Well, this Covid 19 Youth Relief Fund is just a gesture by the government to let the youth know, the government is indeed with them in all weathers and shall fight to make sure they are empowered for their own good and the nation at large.
Addressing the youth in Masvingo recently, Minister Coventry said besides this Covid 19 Youth Relief Fund, more money shall soon be availed to all business minded youth. She encouraged all the young people to one way or the other operate their businesses legally such that it would be easy for them to access financial help from the government.
Ranson Madzamba is the Acting Head Communication and Advocacy Section for the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
