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Request for Application: Community Resilience Facility Sub Grants (Kenya)

Deadline: 04-Apr-2026

The Community Resilience Facility (CRF) provides grants ranging from KES 200,000 to KES 1,000,000 to community groups and SACCOs engaged in savings and lending. The program supports sustainable land management, ecosystem-based adaptation, and improved local livelihoods by providing seed capital for onward lending while fostering a long-term, community-owned financial resource.

Overview of the CRF Grant

The Community Resilience Facility (CRF) is designed to empower local communities by linking financial sustainability with environmental restoration and climate adaptation. Through the fund, community savings and credit groups can access seed capital to support local restoration projects and strengthen economic resilience.

Key Objectives:

  • Provide seed capital for community savings and loan groups to fund onward lending cycles.

  • Support sustainable land management and Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) initiatives.

  • Strengthen local livelihoods through annual lending cycles and fund reinvestment.

  • Ensure the revolving fund remains a long-term community asset.

  • Promote gender mainstreaming and youth involvement, in alignment with the TWENDE Project Gender Action Plan.

  • Comply with Environmental and Social Safeguard Systems and Green Climate Fund (GCF) investment criteria.

  • Ensure technical and economic viability of proposed interventions.

  • Transition fund oversight to landscape committees or established community SACCOs.

  • Require collaboration with the TWENDE Project, including completion of CRF training.

How the CRF Works

  1. Seed Capital Allocation

    • Grants of KES 200,000 – KES 1,000,000 are provided to eligible community groups or SACCOs.

    • Funds are used for onward lending to members to implement sustainable land management and restoration activities.

  2. Revolving Fund Structure

    • Members repay loans with interest or service charges, which are reinvested into the fund.

    • This approach ensures long-term fund sustainability and continuous support for community restoration initiatives.

  3. Project Implementation and Timeline

    • Key performance indicators must be achieved by May 2027.

    • All activities must be completed by August 2027.

    • Fund management is eventually transferred to community-led committees or SACCOs for ongoing operation.

  4. Capacity Building and Collaboration

    • All participating groups must complete CRF training under the TWENDE Project.

    • Collaboration ensures compliance with environmental safeguards and gender inclusion.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Community groups with proven experience in savings and loan operations.

  • SACCOs or local financial cooperatives engaged in lending.

  • Groups demonstrating capacity to deliver positive climate and community impact.

  • Applicants capable of technical and economic project planning aligned with Ecosystem-Based Adaptation and sustainable land management objectives.

Why This Grant Matters

  • Promotes Environmental Sustainability: Funds support restoration projects that improve ecosystem health.

  • Strengthens Local Livelihoods: Onward lending cycles enhance income generation and economic resilience.

  • Empowers Communities: Community-owned revolving funds provide financial independence and long-term sustainability.

  • Encourages Gender Equity: Active participation of women and youth ensures inclusive benefits.

  • Supports Climate Action: Aligns with TWENDE Project and GCF investment criteria for sustainable impact.

How to Apply

  1. Confirm Eligibility

    • Ensure your group or SACCO has experience in savings and lending and the capacity to manage a revolving fund.

  2. Develop a Proposal

    • Clearly describe planned restoration or land management activities.

    • Outline fund growth strategies, including reinvestment of member savings and surplus service charges.

    • Include a technical and economic feasibility plan.

  3. Submit Application

    • Include proof of organizational structure, prior experience, and commitment to gender mainstreaming.

    • Show readiness to complete CRF training with the TWENDE Project.

  4. Grant Review and Approval

    • Proposals will be assessed for alignment with fund objectives, technical feasibility, environmental and social safeguards, and gender inclusion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to demonstrate technical and economic viability of the project.

  • Submitting proposals without a clear fund growth and reinvestment plan.

  • Ignoring gender mainstreaming or youth involvement requirements.

  • Not committing to CRF training under the TWENDE Project.

  • Overlooking compliance with environmental and social safeguards.

FAQ

1. What is the maximum grant amount?

  • The CRF provides grants from KES 200,000 to KES 1,000,000 per community group or SACCO.

2. Are matching funds required?

  • No matching funds are required, but applicants must demonstrate fund sustainability through reinvestment.

3. Who can manage the revolving fund?

  • Initially the applicant group; eventually, landscape committees or SACCOs take over fund management.

4. What activities can be funded?

  • Onward lending to members for sustainable land management, restoration initiatives, and livelihood improvements.

5. Is gender mainstreaming mandatory?

  • Yes, women and youth must be actively involved in fund management and access to incentives.

6. What is the project completion timeline?

  • Activities must be completed by August 2027, with key performance indicators achieved by May 2027.

7. Is training required?

  • Yes, all grantees must complete CRF training under the TWENDE Project.

Conclusion

The Community Resilience Facility (CRF) offers an innovative opportunity for community groups and SACCOs to combine financial empowerment with environmental restoration. By providing seed capital for onward lending and embedding long-term sustainability, the CRF strengthens local livelihoods, supports ecosystem-based adaptation, and ensures communities have a self-sustaining fund for future restoration and development initiatives.

For more information, visit IUCN.