Deadline: 19-Jun-2026
The Direct Beneficiary Grants programme by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, funded by Germany through the AFR100 Support Programme, provides USD 5,000–50,000 to support locally led forest and landscape restoration in Kenya. It focuses on restoration activities such as agroforestry, tree planting, soil and water conservation, biodiversity protection, and livelihood diversification. In Kenya, the programme is specifically implemented in the Kerio Valley Landscape to strengthen community-based restoration and sustainable land use systems.
Overview
- The programme supports locally led forest and landscape restoration initiatives
- It is implemented by the FAO with funding from the Government of Germany
- It is part of the AFR100 Support Programme focused on restoring degraded landscapes in Africa
- In Kenya, implementation is targeted specifically in the Kerio Valley Landscape
- It combines financial grants with technical support for community-based restoration
Programme Purpose and Goals
The programme aims to
- Restore degraded forests and landscapes through local action
- Improve ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation
- Strengthen community resilience to environmental and economic challenges
- Promote sustainable land use and climate-smart restoration practices
- Support restoration-based livelihoods and value chains
- Enhance local capacity for long-term environmental management
Key Focus Areas of Support
The programme funds a wide range of restoration and livelihood activities, including
Ecosystem restoration activities
- Tree planting and reforestation
- Assisted natural regeneration
- Enrichment planting
- Agroforestry system development
- Biodiversity conservation initiatives
Land and water management
- Soil and water conservation measures
- Water resource management systems
- Soil preparation and rehabilitation activities
- Sustainable land-use practices
Restoration-based livelihoods
- Beekeeping and honey production
- Fodder production for livestock
- Organic input production
- Value-added restoration-based enterprises
- Livelihood diversification linked to restoration
Infrastructure and technical support
- Community nursery establishment and rehabilitation
- Seedling production systems
- Restoration-supportive tools and equipment
- Fuel-efficient and eco-friendly technologies
Community resilience and innovation
- Climate resilience strengthening
- Community-led landscape restoration planning
- Local innovation in restoration value chains
- Sustainable income generation linked to ecosystem recovery
Funding Details
- Grant size: USD 5,000 to USD 50,000 (or local currency equivalent)
- Funding type: Direct Beneficiary Grants
- Purpose: Practical implementation of restoration and livelihood projects
- Allocation depends on proposal quality and country-specific arrangements
- Funding supports both implementation and small-scale infrastructure needs
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include local, community-based, and producer organizations such as
- Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs)
- Cooperatives and associations
- Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)
- Community-based organizations (CBOs)
- Women’s groups
- Youth groups
- Other local restoration-focused organizations
Geographic Eligibility
- The programme is implemented in selected AFR100 countries:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Togo
- United Republic of Tanzania
- In Kenya, eligibility is restricted to organizations operating in the Kerio Valley Landscape
- Applicants must be legally registered and actively working in restoration activities within the target area
Eligible Activities
The grant supports practical, field-based restoration interventions such as
- Forest restoration and tree planting initiatives
- Agroforestry development projects
- Soil conservation and erosion control systems
- Establishment of community nurseries
- Restoration-linked livelihood enterprises
- Biodiversity conservation projects
- Sustainable land management activities
- Community-led environmental rehabilitation projects
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Eligibility confirmation
- Confirm registration as a local organization
- Verify operation within Kerio Valley Landscape
- Ensure alignment with restoration-focused activities
Step 2: Proposal development
- Identify restoration challenges and project goals
- Define technical and livelihood interventions
- Develop implementation plan and budget
Step 3: Application submission
- Submit proposal according to FAO AFR100 guidelines
- Include organizational and technical documentation
Step 4: Evaluation and selection
- Applications assessed based on
- Restoration impact potential
- Community involvement
- Technical feasibility
- Sustainability of outcomes
- Livelihood integration
Step 5: Implementation and support
- Selected organizations receive funding
- Technical assistance may be provided during implementation
- Progress is monitored against project goals
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying outside the Kerio Valley Landscape in Kenya
- Submitting proposals without clear restoration outcomes
- Weak integration of livelihood and environmental components
- Incomplete organizational documentation
- Overly complex or non-feasible restoration plans
- Lack of community participation or local ownership
- Missing alignment with AFR100 restoration goals
Why This Programme Matters
- Restores degraded ecosystems and landscapes in Africa
- Strengthens climate resilience at community level
- Supports sustainable rural livelihoods
- Promotes biodiversity conservation and ecosystem recovery
- Encourages locally led environmental action
- Builds long-term sustainable land management systems
- Links environmental restoration with economic development
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the funding amount available?
- Grants range from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000 depending on the project
Who administers the programme?
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Which areas in Kenya are eligible?
- Only the Kerio Valley Landscape is eligible
Who can apply for the grants?
- Local community organizations, cooperatives, FFPOs, women and youth groups, and Indigenous and local communities
What activities are funded?
- Tree planting, agroforestry, soil conservation, nurseries, biodiversity protection, and livelihood diversification
Is livelihood support included?
- Yes, restoration-linked income-generating activities such as beekeeping and fodder production are included
Which countries are part of the AFR100 programme?
- Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Togo, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Conclusion
The FAO Direct Beneficiary Grants under the AFR100 Support Programme provide critical financial and technical support for community-led forest and landscape restoration in Kenya. By combining ecosystem restoration with sustainable livelihood development, the programme strengthens environmental resilience, improves economic opportunities, and supports long-term sustainable land management in the Kerio Valley Landscape.
For more information, visit FAO.
