Direct Beneficiary Grants to Farmer Organizations (Kenya)

Deadline: 15-Apr-24

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Kenya, through the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) project, have launched an open call for applicants for Direct Beneficiary Grants for Forest and Farm Producer Organizations and community conservation groups engaged in farm and forest value chains with positive impact on environment.

The Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) is a partnership between FAO, IIED, IUCN and Agricord, and funded by Finland, Germany, Norway through the Flexible Multi-Partner Mechanism of FAO, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United States of America, and IKEA. The FFF provides direct financial support and technical assistance to strengthen Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) representing smallholders, rural women’s groups, local communities and indigenous peoples’ institutions. Collectively, forest and farm producers have the potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to respond to climate change at landscape scales.

The objective of the open call for applications is to award grants for organising forest and farm producers for development of farm forestry, and landscape-based production systems, end-market driven and gender & youth inclusive business in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kisii, Laikipia, Machakos, Nakuru, Samburu, and Vihiga Counties. Preference is given to proposals that demonstrate capacity to link forest and farm producers organizations with SMEs to improve quantity and quality of production, enhance access to better markets, help attain standards through certifications and with nature positive actions.

Funding Information

• Successful applicants will be supported with grant value ranging between USD 20 000 to USD 100 000. The Grant will be provided directly to successful beneficiary organizations in three separate instalments depending on the size of the grant, the nature of activities, the history of collaboration with the organizations and the outcome of the technical and administrative visits carried out by the FFF Country Facilitator.
• FFF will disburse grants to successful applicants whose proposals include a component of investments (purchase of small equipment/machines, tools, facilities/infrastructure etc, that aids value addition, increase productivity and profitability).
• Note:
  • For Investment component of the proposal with a budget below USD 10,000, FAO-FFF will contribute 90%, while the Beneficiary will contribute 10%
  • For Investment component of the proposal with a budget above USD 10,000, FAO-FFF will contribute 80%, while the Beneficiary will contribute 20%
  • The co-financing requirement only applies to investment component of the proposal, and not the cost of the entire proposal (and activities that do not involve purchase of equipment/machinery/tools etc)

Project Duration

• The proposed project should be implemented within a period of 12 month

Outcomes 

• Kenya is one of core countries in which the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) phase II is providing support to Forest and Farm Producers Organizations (FFPOs). Phase II has the goal of scaling up the role of FFPOs to achieve Climate Resilient Landscapes and Improved Livelihoods through the following four Outcomes;
  • Outcomes 1: More enabling policy and legal frameworks for FFPOs delivered through more FFPO-inclusive governance and cross-sectoral processes,
  • Outcomes 2: Increased entrepreneurship, access to markets and finance through gender equitable value chains delivered through new capacity to provide business incubation within FFPOs,
  • Outcomes 3: Improved delivery of landscape scale mitigation, adaptation and climate resilience for climate change through direct engagement of FFPOs and integration with inclusive livelihood approaches, and
  • Outcomes 4: Improved and equitable access to social and cultural services. The achievement of gender equality in the forest and farm sectors, including FFPOs is considered the right and smart way for gender transformation.

Who can apply?

• Interested Applicants/Organization must meet the following eligibility requirements:
  • Must be an active farmer-based organization duly registered by relevant Government of Kenya agency/department as
    • Cooperative Societies (SACCOs, Cooperatives)
    • Self Help Group (CBO, Women/Youth Group)
    • Community Forest Associations, Conservancies and other conservation groups
    • Associations
    • NGOs
  • Be located and operating within the targeted Counties (Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kisii, Laikipia, Machakos, Nakuru, Samburu, and Vihiga Counties)
  • Must be farmer/producer organizations dealing with farm and/or forestry value chains/products and actively engaged in agricultural/agribusiness and/or environmental conservation activities within their communities
  • Clearly demonstrate positive impact of their past/current activities and the number of members who will benefit from the proposed project
  • Demonstrate how the proposed project activities will achieve FFF Outcomes 2 & 3 and any other Outcomes
  • Must have an active bank account registered in the name of the organization and be able to provide at least 3 months certified bank statement
  • The organization must not be bankrupted or, be liquidated or have their affairs administered by the courts
  • The organization must be willing and able to contribute in cash with a minimum of 10% to the investment component in the budget.

For more information, visit FAO.