Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) South Africa : Eligibility, Payment, Applications, And Fact Check, How To Verify

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) is a flagship South African government initiative designed to generate temporary work opportunities, provide income relief and build skills among unemployed and vulnerable individuals. It spans national, provincial and local government spheres and covers several sectors including infrastructure, environment and culture, social services and the non-state sector. This article offers a thorough exploration of how EPWP works, its key features, eligibility conditions, impact to date, how participants can engage with the programme and what outcomes to expect.

Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Quick summary table

Background and rationale

Persistent unemployment, poverty and inequality in South Africa motivated the creation of the EPWP in the early 2000s. While economic growth was underway, many citizens remained jobless or under-employed, especially in informal sectors or vulnerable communities. The EPWP was designed partly as a short-to-medium term mechanism to absorb unemployed workers into meaningful, temporary work, generate income and build skills, while also delivering public goods such as infrastructure maintenance, environmental management, social care and community services. The idea is that by engaging unemployed people in public works you both cushion immediate income risk and build pathways toward more sustainable employment or self-employment.

How the EPWP is structured and implemented

1. Sectors

The EPWP engages four key sectors:

• Infrastructure Sector: Led by departments such as Transport, Human Settlements, Health and Education along with municipalities. Activities may include road maintenance, construction or renovation of public buildings, upgrades to social infrastructure and labour-intensive delivery.
• Environment & Culture Sector: Activities such as alien vegetation clearing, wetlands rehabilitation, waste management, community tourism, fire management, nature conservation and cultural heritage projects.
• Social Sector: Involves home-based care, early childhood development, community safety, support for the vulnerable, and services delivered by non-profit or community-based organisations in partnership with government.
• Non-State Sector: Engagement of NGOs, community based organisations, the faith-based sector and private firms in delivering labour-intensive services that create work opportunities for the unemployed. Funding from government supports these partner organisations to facilitate participation of individuals in work-opportunities.

Each sector operates across all spheres of government (national, provincial and local) and in collaboration with the non-state sector. Implementation is managed by public bodies in coordination with EPWP protocols.

2. Phases and targets

The EPWP has run in several phases since its launch. Early phases focused primarily on infrastructure. Later phases broadened into the other sectors and placed more emphasis on skills development, participant transition, training, youth focus, women and persons with disabilities. The programme sets annual- and multi-year targets for number of work-opportunities, for full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs and for the amount of wages/stipends paid to participants.

3. Work opportunities, duration and exit strategies

Work-opportunities under EPWP are typically temporary, often task-rated, and may vary in duration (for example 100 days or more depending on project design). Participants may receive a stipend or wage for the work completed. Importantly, the programme emphasises skills development and seeks to improve participants’ future employment prospects. In many cases there is an “exit strategy” component to help participants transition to formal employment, self-employment or further training after the temporary work ends.

4. Conditions of employment and regulatory framework

Although EPWP jobs are temporary and not standard full-time employment, conditions are regulated. For example, provincial EPWP frameworks stipulate maximum weekly hours (e.g., 55 hours), rest periods, sick leave accumulation, family responsibility leave (for those working a minimum number of days), health and safety standards, use of protective equipment and certification of service/training. These regulations ensure participants receive recognised experience and training, improving their future employability.

Eligibility, participation and how to apply

Eligibility

• Candidates are typically unemployed or under-employed persons who are poor, vulnerable or lacking formal work skills.
• Specific projects may target youth, women, persons with disabilities, and historically disadvantaged individuals.
• Some degree of physical capacity, availability for the tasks, and willingness to participate in the work and training may be required.
• For certain sectors, basic education or a certificate may be needed depending on role (for example in the social or artisan training component).
• Payment or stipend eligibility depends on successful completion of tasks designated under the project and compliance with conditions (attendance, productivity, safety).

How to participate

• Identify EPWP work-opportunities advertised by government departments, municipalities or partner organisations.
• Submit required documentation (CV, identity document, proof of unemployment or income status, medical certificate where applicable).
• Undergo selection for the specific project; may involve interview or skills assessment.
• Once selected, sign a contract for the duration of the engagement, receive on-the-job training, work under supervision, and receive remuneration for the tasks completed.
• Upon completion, obtain a certificate of service/training which may assist transition to further employment or training.

Benefits of participation

• Temporary income via stipends or wages.
• Work experience in a structured environment.
• Skills development and possibly accredited training depending on project.
• Access to networks, mentoring and community of practice environments.
• Improved chance of transition to more sustainable employment, self-employment or further education/training.

Impact and performance to date

Over its two decades of operation, the EPWP has generated millions of work-opportunities across South Africa. For example, by 2024 the programme had reportedly delivered in excess of 14 million work-opportunities. In the 2020/21 municipal reporting year alone almost 940,000 work-opportunities were created via more than 13,000 projects, delivering billions of rand in income support. The programme has also achieved high participation by women and youth; for example one phase recorded over 65 percent female participants and an estimated 46 percent youth involvement. In addition to income relief, the EPWP has contributed to public goods such as environmental rehabilitation, infrastructure maintenance and early childhood development services.

While the programme has achieved scale, evaluations caution that EPWP is not a silver bullet for structural unemployment. The temporary nature of the work means that transitioning to longer-term formal employment remains a challenge. However, the inclusion of skills training, exit strategies and partnerships is viewed as enhancing its value. Continuous learning and cross-sector coordination improvements are underway, especially as the programme evolves into its next phase with greater emphasis on entrepreneurship, private-sector linkages and sustainable livelihoods.

Key advantages and challenges

Advantages

• Offers immediate income relief to unemployed persons and vulnerable groups.
• Builds work experience and enhances employability.
• Supports delivery of public services and assets through labour-intensive methods.
• Encourages coordination across government spheres and sectors for inclusive job-creation.
• Broad coverage: infrastructure, environment, social, and non-state sectors.

Challenges

• Temporary work means job security is limited; many participants face risk of reverting to unemployment.
• Exit pathways into formal employment or self-employment vary in effectiveness across regions and sectors.
• Skills gained may not always match labour-market demand without alignment to economic growth sectors.
• Administrative and monitoring capacity differ across provinces and municipalities; data quality and impact measurement remain areas for improvement.
• Structural unemployment remains a long-term issue that requires complementary macro-economic and education interventions.

Future direction and Phase V priorities

The EPWP is entering its next phase which emphasises greater focus on sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, private-sector partnerships, skills accreditation, and transition support. A key theme is shifting from purely temporary work to building bridges toward more permanent or self-employed opportunities. Another priority is enhancing monitoring, better aligning work-opportunities with local economic development, increasing regional equity (especially in rural and smaller municipalities) and deepening youth and female inclusion. Innovation, digital skills, climate-resilient labour opportunities, and green economy entry points feature more prominently in the emerging strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the EPWP?

It is the Expanded Public Works Programme in South Africa, a government-led initiative that provides temporary, labour-intensive work opportunities to unemployed or vulnerable persons across several sectors, while building skills and delivering public goods.

Who can participate in EPWP?

Generally unemployed or under-employed individuals who meet the criteria for specific projects. Projects often prioritise youth, women, persons with disabilities and historically disadvantaged persons. Eligibility depends on the specific role and sector.

Is EPWP work permanent employment?

No. EPWP opportunities are typically temporary and task-based, designed for income relief, skills development and public service delivery rather than permanent jobs. Exit strategies aim to support transitions into more sustainable employment.

What sectors does EPWP cover?

Four sectors: Infrastructure; Environment & Culture; Social; and Non-State Sector (including NGOs and community-based organisations). Each sector delivers different kinds of work-opportunities.

How does one apply?

Via advertisements from government epartments, municipalities or partner organisations. Submit your application, attend selection process, sign a contract, undertake training and work tasks, and receive remuneration for completed work.

What benefits do participants get?

Temporary income (wage or stipend), on-the-job training and work experience, a certificate of service/training, improved employability, and potential transition to formal employment or self-employment.

Conclusion

The Expanded Public Works Programme stands as a significant policy tool for providing income relief, work experience and skill development to unemployed and vulnerable South Africans. Its multi-sector, labour-intensive approach enables delivery of public assets and services while supporting individuals’ ability to engage in the labour market. As the programme moves into its next phase, the emphasis will increasingly focus on transitions to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship, youth inclusion and alignment with economic growth sectors. For individuals seeking opportunity, EPWP offers a tangible pathway but success also depends on skills development, readiness for work and strong transition planning. Participants who approach it deliberately can significantly enhance their employment prospects.