AFR100 Direct Beneficiary Grants Open to Local Organizations (Kenya)

Deadline: 19-Jun-2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) Support Programme funded by the Government of Germany, has launched the Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBGs) programme in Kenya. The initiative supports locally led restoration and sustainable land management projects within the Kerio Valley landscape in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

The programme provides grants ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000 for organizations implementing practical restoration activities such as agroforestry, biodiversity conservation, soil and water conservation, tree planting, community nurseries, and restoration-based livelihood initiatives. The programme contributes to AFR100’s broader target of restoring 100 million hectares of degraded land across Africa by 2030.

What is the FAO AFR100 Direct Beneficiary Grants Programme?

The Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBG) programme is a funding initiative under the AFR100 Support Programme designed to empower local organizations to implement landscape restoration and sustainable land management projects.

The programme focuses on:

• Restoring degraded landscapes
• Strengthening climate resilience
• Supporting biodiversity conservation
• Promoting agroecology systems
• Enhancing sustainable livelihoods
• Encouraging community-led restoration approaches

The grants support practical and measurable restoration activities that improve environmental sustainability and community well-being.

About AFR100

The African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) is a continent-wide effort involving African countries committed to restoring degraded landscapes.

AFR100 Restoration Target

Participating countries aim to restore at least:

• 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030

Countries Participating in the Programme

The AFR100 Support Programme is currently implemented in:

• Kenya
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Togo
• United Republic of Tanzania

The initiative supports restoration actions aligned with national environmental and climate goals.

Focus Areas of the Kenya DBG Programme

The programme supports locally adapted restoration solutions in the Kerio Valley landscape.

Agroforestry Establishment

Supported activities may include:

• Integration of trees into farming systems
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Sustainable farming practices
• Agroecology approaches

Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)

Projects may focus on:

• Natural forest recovery
• Regeneration of degraded ecosystems
• Protection of regenerating vegetation
• Restoration of native biodiversity

Soil and Water Conservation

Eligible activities include:

• Erosion control
• Water harvesting systems
• Terracing
• Watershed protection
• Sustainable water management

Riparian and Degraded Land Restoration

Projects may support:

• Riverbank restoration
• Wetland protection
• Rehabilitation of degraded landscapes
• Restoration of ecological corridors

Community Nurseries and Planting Materials

Applicants may establish:

• Community tree nurseries
• Indigenous seedling production systems
• High-quality planting material supply chains

Biodiversity-Positive Restoration

The programme encourages restoration approaches that:

• Protect ecosystems
• Enhance biodiversity
• Support native species
• Improve ecological resilience

Nature-Positive Agricultural Systems

Projects may promote:

• Agroecology systems
• Sustainable food production
• Environmentally friendly agriculture
• Regenerative land use practices

Programme Goals and Expected Impact

The Kenya DBG modality contributes directly to landscape restoration and community resilience goals.

Restoration Targets

The programme aims to:

• Restore 7000 hectares of degraded land
• Improve productive and protected landscapes
• Promote sustainable land management systems

Community Engagement Goals

The initiative seeks to engage at least:

• 1000 people in restoration activities

This includes:

• Women
• Youth
• Forest Farm Producer Organizations
• Cooperatives
• Community Forest Associations
• Community-Based Organizations
• Water Resource Users Associations

Community participation is encouraged in:

• Planning
• Project implementation
• Restoration monitoring
• Sustainable resource management

Grant Amount

Eligible organizations may receive grants ranging from:

• USD 5,000 to USD 50,000

Funding levels may depend on:

• Project scope
• Restoration impact
• Community engagement
• Technical feasibility
• Sustainability of proposed activities

What Activities Can Be Funded?

The grants support practical landscape restoration interventions.

Eligible Activities Include:

• Tree planting
• Agroforestry projects
• Soil conservation measures
• Water conservation initiatives
• Biodiversity restoration
• Community nursery establishment
• Sustainable agriculture practices
• Restoration-supportive livelihood activities
• Ecosystem rehabilitation
• Climate resilience interventions

Who is Eligible?

The programme is open to legally registered local organizations operating within the Kerio Valley landscape.

Eligible Applicants Include:

• Forest and Farm Producer Organizations
• Farmer cooperatives
• Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
• Women groups
• Youth groups
• Self-help groups
• Community Forest Associations
• Water Resource Users Associations
• Other local restoration-focused organizations

Geographic Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be located within the Kerio Valley landscape in Baringo or Elgeyo Marakwet counties

OR

• Demonstrate strong operational engagement and implementation experience within the target area

Why This Programme Matters

Supports Community-Led Restoration

The programme places local organizations at the center of restoration planning and implementation.

Strengthens Climate Resilience

Landscape restoration helps communities adapt to climate change through improved soil, water, and ecosystem health.

Promotes Sustainable Livelihoods

Restoration activities can generate income opportunities through:

• Agroforestry
• Nursery management
• Sustainable agriculture
• Restoration-based value chains

Contributes to National and Continental Targets

The programme supports:

• Kenya’s restoration commitments
• AFR100 restoration goals
• Biodiversity conservation objectives
• Sustainable development priorities

Encourages Nature-Positive Agriculture

The initiative promotes farming systems that improve productivity while protecting ecosystems.

How to Apply

Step 1: Identify a Restoration Challenge

Define a local environmental or land degradation issue within the Kerio Valley landscape.

Step 2: Develop a Restoration Project

Prepare a project proposal focused on practical and measurable restoration outcomes.

Step 3: Engage Local Communities

Demonstrate how community members will participate in planning and implementation.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documents

Applicants may need:

• Proof of legal registration
• Organizational profile
• Project proposal
• Budget plan
• Evidence of local experience
• Partnership information if applicable

Step 5: Demonstrate Sustainability

Explain how the project will create long-term environmental and social benefits.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the official application process before the programme deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on measurable restoration outcomes
• Demonstrate strong community involvement
• Align activities with sustainable land management goals
• Include realistic implementation plans
• Show environmental and social impact clearly
• Use locally adapted restoration approaches
• Explain long-term sustainability strategies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting vague restoration plans
• Weak community participation strategies
• Unrealistic budgets or timelines
• Lack of measurable impact indicators
• Ignoring biodiversity considerations
• Poor technical planning
• Insufficient operational experience in the target area

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the AFR100 Direct Beneficiary Grants programme?

It is a grant programme supporting community-led restoration and sustainable land management projects in Kenya’s Kerio Valley landscape.

Who can apply?

Legally registered local organizations operating in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties can apply.

What is the grant size?

Grants range from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects related to agroforestry, tree planting, biodiversity conservation, soil and water conservation, community nurseries, and restoration-based livelihoods are eligible.

What areas are targeted under the programme?

The programme focuses on the Kerio Valley landscape in Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

Does the programme support women and youth participation?

Yes. Women, youth groups, and community organizations are key target beneficiaries.

What is the overall restoration target?

The programme contributes to restoring 7000 hectares of degraded land within the target landscape.

Final Thoughts

The FAO AFR100 Direct Beneficiary Grants 2026 provide an important opportunity for local Kenyan organizations to lead practical restoration and sustainable land management initiatives in the Kerio Valley landscape.

By supporting community-driven environmental restoration, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods, the programme contributes to long-term climate resilience and ecosystem recovery while advancing Kenya’s national restoration commitments and AFR100 continental goals.

For more information, visit FAO.