Meaningful Engagement – Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue in Kenya

Deadline: 4-Jul-25

The Meaningful Engagement – Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue in Kenya is a joint action of the African Women’s Communication and Development Network (FEMNET), the Coalition for Sustainable Development (SDGs Kenya Forum), and Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF) International with support from the European Union (EU) Delegation in Kenya.

The action led by FEMNET, aims to strengthen the capacities and influence of Kenyan civil society organizations as independent actors advocating for accountability, good governance, and inclusive development, and provide institutional platforms for their active involvement in the EU’s international cooperation between 2024-2027.

Objectives

• The action aims to achieve the following objectives:
  • Improved and strengthened structured, inclusive, and regular dialogue between Kenyan civil society actors, local authorities, and the EU, facilitating meaningful and sustained engagement.
  • Enhanced skills, knowledge, and resources of Kenyan civil society actors, including youth and women’s rights organizations, to address common development priorities and promote effective governance.
  • Increased information sharing, joint planning, and implementation of initiatives among Kenyan civil society actors to maximize the impact of EU-Kenya cooperation.

Categories

• CSOs in Kenya can be classified into three broad categories:
  • National and international NGOs in Kenya: Registered and regulated under the NGOs Coordination Act (Cap 19) of 1990.
  • CSOs in societies, associations, trusts, and companies limited by guarantee: Registered under the Societies Act, Trust Deed Act, and Companies Act.
  • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): Registered and regulated by the Department of Social Services.

Funding Information

• Given the diverse and dynamic nature of Kenya’s civil society, the META action will disburse small grants, an average of 2,000,000 KES per partner, the minimum amount that each partner will receive is 600,000 KES and the maximum is 3,000,000 KES. The grant is targeting 16 diverse CBOs in the 6 Regional Economic Blocs in Kenya.

Geographic Focus

• This call for proposals is open to all 47 counties in Kenya.

Eligibility Criteria

• The call is targeting community-based organisations (CBOs) that have never received EU funding.
• These include not-for-profit, non-governmental and non-political organisations such as women groups, youth groups, neighborhood associations, social welfare, self-help groups that represent the interests of the community at large and faith-based organisations as currently registered by the Department of Social Services.
• In addition, CBOs working at the grassroots level/community level in the form of society, trust, and companies limited by guarantee, registered under the Societies Act, Trust Act and Companies Act.

Ineligibility Criteria

• The following are ineligible:
  • National NGOs
  • Individuals
  • For-profit entities
  • Political parties
  • Government institutions (national and county)
  • International non-governmental organizations (INGOs)

For more information, visit FEMNET.