The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), through the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE), has unveiled an online application system to help creative practitioners looking to fund projects or programmes to be implemented during the 2020/21 financial year.
In a statement, the DAC says in the past, applicants raised concerns regarding the MGE open call application process. The move from manual to an electronic portal is the result of these alarms.
The online system, the department adds, is to create a track and trace management system for all MGE open call applications. Furthermore, it will be able to track the spatial disbursement of funds, not only provincially but also at the level of local municipalities.
The DAC explains: “The e-service will provide a convenient electronic interface that allows cultural and creative practitioners to access applications from anywhere at any time via the Internet for the duration of the open call.
“By automating the application process for funding, the department will be able to track, trace and monitor turnaround times, thus speeding up the process. In addition, bottlenecks can be identified earlier and all applicants’ SA identity numbers can be verified through the e-services portal Web service.”
The department points out the online system also enables USSD capabilities and will send update notifications to applicants through e-mails and/or SMS.
“An applicant must register on the e-services portal. Once registered, the applicant will receive a one-time PIN to their cellphone number in order to verify the user. If the applicant has an existing profile, the applicant must log into the portal with his or her existing credentials.
“Once logged in, the applicant can access the DAC MGE grant management system, which is listed under the e-services menu,” it elaborates.
Three MGE work streams, namely cultural events, public art and touring ventures, are funded through open call.
The open call for funding of these projects runs until 11 November.
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