Bertha House
Community Reserve
Supporting activists and community groups to bring social-justice events to life at Bertha House.
Who can apply
The Bertha House Community Reserve supports under-resourced activists and community groups to host events at Bertha House. It is rooted in the knowledge that many people and groups doing impactful work want to use our space, but lack the resources to do so.
- Supports activists and community groups with an annual budget of R1 million or less.
- Groups must be non-profit, but do not need to be legally registered entities to apply.
- Applicants must demonstrate that their event aligns with the Bertha Spaces values and mission, and will advance social justice work for a specific project.
- All applicants and participants must adhere to the Bertha House code of conduct.
Space for community. Room for possibility.
97 groups supported since 2023
Through the Community Reserve, Bertha House provides space and practical support for communities to gather, organise, learn and create.
Meet some of the groups
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Cape Town Commoners
Hosted a creative co-design workshop session.
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Northwood Diabetic Health Club
Hosted a World Diabetes Day event to raise awareness, share information on diabetes management and promote healthier lifestyles.
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Nyanga Arts Development
Hosted a dialogue session.
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Angel Community Outreach
Hosted the launch of a programme series for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
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Women’s Assembly
Hosted a workshop exploring service delivery and austerity through a gendered lens, equipping women to engage critically ahead of local government elections.
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Uhlanga Books
Hosted the launch of A Year That Felt Like a Decade by Pamela Qinela-Mbenenge, creating space for storytelling, literary conversation and connection.
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Cape Cultural Collective
Hosted a cultural gathering celebrating Cape Town’s diverse heritage through arts, music, storytelling and community connection.
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Village of Hope
Developed a media guide promoting ethical and inclusive reporting on migration, refugees and social cohesion.
What support does it offer
Successful applicants will be entitled to use the venue at no charge, subject to availability. The Community Reserve provides:
Ground Transportation
To and from Bertha House, within a 50km radius.
Catering
Food and beverage catering from Bertha House’s Activist Kitchen.
Airtime
Airtime for organising.
Printing
Materials such as flyers, event programs, and booklets.
AV Equipment
Audio-visual equipment rental from Bertha House.
Conferencing Materials
Including basic printing and stationery.
These services are provided by Bertha House or its chosen suppliers and invoiced directly to Bertha House. No community reserve funds are transferred to successful applicants.
What it does not cover
- Salaries or stipends for staff members or organisational overhead costs.
- Events that aim to generate revenue.
- Speaker or facilitation fees.
- Accommodation.
- Flights, unless under special circumstances.
- Events promoting political parties or people and groups running for public office.
- Religious events.
- Banners and T-shirts.
Good to know
Groups are welcome to submit multiple applications, but may only receive support once per application period — a maximum of twice in the financial year (March to February).
The community reserve can only support one event at a time. Applications for multiple events, such as a series of workshops, will not be considered — please discuss multi-event projects with the Bertha House Programmes team.
Application and selection process
The community reserve accepts applications twice a year.
Cycle 1
1 – 28 February
For events taking place 1 May – 31 August.
Cycle 2
1 – 31 August
For events taking place 1 November – 28 February.
1. Apply
Submit a short online application during the open window.
2. Review
Applications are reviewed after each window closes.
3. Decision
Decisions are communicated within a maximum of one month.
4. Event
Host your event at Bertha House.
Have a convening in mind?
Bring your community together at Bertha House.