Deadline: 30-Apr-2026
The Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation (SAMRS) and the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nairobi have launched the Small Grants 2026 program. The initiative offers up to €10,000 per project to support local development initiatives in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Somalia, focusing on sectors like education, health, governance, agriculture, infrastructure, and sustainable resource use, while emphasizing gender equality, climate action, and environmental sustainability.
Overview
The Small Grants 2026 program aims to support local development initiatives that address pressing community needs. It is a strategic tool of Slovak development cooperation designed to fund small-scale, high-impact projects. Grants are administered by the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation through the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nairobi, ensuring localized oversight and efficient project implementation.
Key highlights:
- Funding per project: Up to €10,000
- Total program allocation: €60,000
- Project duration: 6–12 months
- Eligible countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Somalia
- Focus: Priority development sectors with cross-cutting themes
Priority Sectors and Cross-Cutting Themes
Projects must address at least one of the following priority sectors:
- Quality Education – Initiatives that enhance access to inclusive and equitable education.
- Good Health – Programs improving healthcare delivery and access to health services.
- Good Governance and Civil Society – Projects fostering transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
- Food Safety and Agriculture – Enhancing agricultural practices and ensuring food security.
- Infrastructure and Sustainable Resource Use – Development of infrastructure with sustainable resource management.
- Market Environment Support – Initiatives facilitating economic development and business growth.
Cross-cutting priorities include environment and climate change adaptation and gender equality and empowerment. Proposals that do not align with these sectors and themes will not be considered.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include registered non-commercial legal entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local or regional self-government units.
Ineligible entities: Organizations under international sanctions according to Slovak law or entities with outstanding financial claims from the Slovak Republic.
Why This Grant Matters
Small Grants 2026 provides crucial funding for local development by supporting community-driven initiatives, strengthening capacity of NGOs and local governments, promoting sustainable development practices aligned with SDGs, and encouraging gender-responsive and climate-smart interventions.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Check eligibility to ensure your organization meets the criteria.
- Align your project with a priority sector and a cross-cutting theme.
- Prepare your proposal including objectives, expected outcomes, budget, and timeline (6–12 months).
- Submit the complete application to the Slovak Embassy in Nairobi before the deadline.
- Await evaluation for relevance, feasibility, and alignment with Slovak development priorities.
- Sign the grant agreement if approved and start project implementation immediately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects outside the priority sectors
- Ignoring cross-cutting themes like gender or climate change
- Proposing projects exceeding the €10,000 limit
- Missing required legal documentation or registration proof
- Overlooking project feasibility or budget clarity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is the maximum funding per project? Each project can receive up to €10,000, with the total program budget being €60,000.
- Which countries are eligible for project implementation? Projects must be implemented in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, or Somalia.
- What is the expected duration of funded projects? Projects should last between 6 and 12 months, starting after the grant agreement is signed.
- Who cannot apply for this grant? Organizations under international sanctions or with outstanding financial claims from the Slovak Republic are ineligible.
- Can private commercial organizations apply? No, only non-commercial legal entities, NGOs, and local or regional self-governments are eligible.
- Are cross-cutting priorities mandatory? Yes, projects should integrate themes like environment, climate change, and gender equality.
- How will projects be evaluated? Evaluation focuses on alignment with priority sectors, feasibility, sustainability, and expected local impact.
Conclusion
The Small Grants 2026 initiative is a targeted funding opportunity for organizations in East Africa to implement high-impact, small-scale projects. By aligning proposals with priority sectors and cross-cutting themes, applicants can secure up to €10,000 in funding to improve local education, health, governance, agriculture, infrastructure, and market development while promoting gender equality and environmental sustainability. This program is an effective tool to advance Slovak development cooperation and support local communities.
For more information, visit Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Nairobi.
