Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How do I apply for the second phase Emergency Relief Funding?
To access the fund, please send the following to: applications@MDDA.org.za
• The completed and sign attached application form; and
• ALL the required documentation listed in the attached application form.
You will receive an acknowledgement of receipt of the application from the MDDA within 24 hours.
2. What is the closing date for the second phase of the Emergency Relief Fund?

There is no set closing date but the fund will be closed once the second phase Emergency Relief Funds have been exhausted. You are advised to apply as soon as practical for you.
3. What criteria will be used to evaluate my application?
a) if you are a community broadcast project, you need to hold a valid licence from ICASA. Unfortunately, the MDDA cannot grant relief funds to holders of temporary licences as the intention of the fund is to assist already operational radio stations survive the National Lockdown, so that they are well positioned to continue operating post Covid-19.
Similarly, online radio stations do not qualify for the fund as, per the MDDA mandate, the Agency can only support community broadcast stations with a valid licence from ICASA.
b) The MDDA has a set amount available as the 2nd phase of the Emergency Relief Fund. Given the limited funds, the MDDA will assess the financial position of applicants to prioritise those most in need. Therefore, we have requested that you send your bank statements for the last 3 months with your application.
c) Only those applicants, who have submitted ALL supporting documentation requested in the attached application form will be eligible for receiving Emergency Relief Funding.

4. Am I eligible for the 2nd phase if I received the 1st phase funds?
Media projects that received the first phase of the Emergency Relief Funding and those that did not are eligible to receive the second phase funds. However, those applicants which received funds in the first phase of the Emergency Relief Fund, must have reported as required by the monitoring template sent to all first phase beneficiaries. This includes submission of all supporting documentation requested as evidence that funds were utilised in accordance with the line items specified in the first phase.
5. Can any community or small commercial media project apply for the fund, irrespective of whether I am or have been a beneficiary of the MDDA?
All community and SCM media projects are eligible to apply irrespective of whether they have been MDDA beneficiaries or not. The only exception is MDDA beneficiaries that have recently been approved for an MDDA grant that includes operational costs, as a result of applications submitted to the MDDA in the call for applications from August to October 2019. Beneficiaries who have recently received approval of MDDA grant funding that does not include operational costs are eligible for Emergency Relief Funds.
6. When I receive the second phase of the Emergency Funds, am I allowed to deviate from the line items specified?
Deviations are in principle NOT allowed. However, if there is a critical need to deviate, an application must be made to the CEO of the MDDA in writing to deviate, giving full details of and reasons for the deviations. Only on receipt of written consent may the beneficiary deviate. The request to deviate on your project’s official letterhead must be sent by email to:
ReliefFund@mdda.org.za . You will receive a response with 24 hours during the working week.
7. Who do I contact with queries on the Emergency Relief Fund?
Please send all queries by email to: ReliefFund@mdda.org.za
8. How will I know the outcome of my application?
It is the intention of the MDDA to process payments by EFT for successful applications as the application is approved.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing of the reason for failure of their application.
9. Must I report on use of the Emergency Relief Funding?
Yes, a narrative report and proof on use of the Emergency Relief Funding will be requested by email by the MDDA with a deadline for submission. This importantly must include proof of all expenditure against the Fund. Successful applicants are therefore urged to retain all invoices and proof of payments for costs covered by the Emergency Relief Fund.

This report is to be emailed to , together with the proof of expenditure, such as receipts, invoices or a bank statement.

Failure to report on the use of the emergency funding will be treated as a breach of the terms of the emergency fund. If the funding is not correctly accounted for, the beneficiary may not be considered for future funding opportunities by MDDA.

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