Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya (Grants Available)

Get latest opportunities in your email

---

Join Our Telegram Channel

About Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya

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. Specifically, 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

Kenya boasts one of the most active civil societies in the region. 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.

This call specifically targets CBOs (Registered under the Societies Act, Trust Deed Act, and Companies Act those Registered and regulated by the Department of Social Services) to ensure grassroots organizations have the opportunity to strengthen their capacities and influence. The verification and contracting of the partners will be carried out by FEMNET.

• Sponsor Organisation: The African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET)

Benefits of Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya

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. At least 50% of the sub grants will be allocated to youth and women-led CBOs, as such: at least 8 organizations from the 16 organizations will be youth and women-led. At least 4 will be organizations working with and or led by persons with disability, indigenous persons, and ethnic minorities.

The grant has three specific outcome areas:

(1) Improved, strengthened and structured, inclusive and regular dialogue platforms between Kenyan CBO actors and the EU, facilitating meaningful and sustained engagement.

(2) The skills, knowledge, and resources of Kenyan civil society actors including youth and women’s rights organizations enhanced to address common development priorities and promote effective governance.

(3) Increased information sharing, joint planning, and implementation of initiatives among Kenyan civic society actors to maximize the impact of EU-Kenya cooperation.

Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya Requirements

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.

Who Are Not Eligible?

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

Geographical Scope

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

 

Project Scope and Requirements for All Applicants

1. Mission

• Availability of documentation demonstrating the organisation is registered.
• Demonstrate that the institution aims to contribute to efforts to promote accountability, good governance, and sustainable development at various levels.

2. Clear alignment and relevance of the objectives of the proposed action.

3. Reach: Number of stakeholders to be reached and the expected outcomes.

4. Realistic and cost-effective budget.

5. Stakeholder engagement: Ability to reach community members in excluded and vulnerable parts of Kenya such as rural, remote areas, and informal settlements.

6. Inclusivity and diversity: Demonstrate that you work with marginalized groups e.g. persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, youth, etc.

7. Innovation and sustainability of the action/initiative: Have an innovative approach and/or concept related to the META priority areas such as Human Centred Digitalisation, Green Transition, Governance, Peace and Security, Women, Youth, and CSOs enabling environment.

8. Only one proposal will be accepted per applicant. If more than one proposal is submitted, only the first one received will be considered.

 

Additional guidelines for women and youth-led CBOs

Women-led

• Identify as an organization working on gender justice.
• Executive leadership by women.
• At least 50% of women in decision-making roles.
• Gender equality focus.

Youth-led

• The organisation or group must demonstrate that it works with and for youth.
• Registration is not obligatory.
• Executive leadership 35 years and below.
• At least 50% of youth are in decision-making roles.

Persons with Disabilities

• Leadership includes persons with disabilities.
• At least 50% of decision-making roles in the organisation are held by persons with disabilities.
• Demonstrated a clear focus on addressing inequalities faced by persons with disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to engage marginalized communities, particularly those with limited access to resources or opportunities.

Indigenous Persons

• At least 50% of leadership includes indigenous persons.
• A clear focus on promoting indigenous rights, culture, and sustainable development.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in remote or marginalized areas.
• Evidence of inclusivity and cultural sensitivity in project design and implementation.

Application Date and Process

To apply for the small grants, please  download and fill out the Small Grant Application Template available HERE.  Applicants are encouraged to create their budgets using their templates, following these budget allocations:

• Staff time: 20%
• Administration: 10%
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: 10%
• Program Activities: 60%

Submit the completed application and budget to [email protected] by 4th July 2025 at 23:59 hrs.

Applicants are encouraged to send any questions or clarifications regarding this call to [email protected]. FEMNET will receive questions for a period of one week and will compile responses into a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document, which will be published on 13th June 2025 on the FEMNET website.

Evaluation and Selection of Criteria

A Selection Committee composed of the META consortium, Steering Committee, and Youth Sounding Board members will review the submitted proposals based on an agreed criteria.

Preliminary results will be communicated to applicants via email. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a virtual meeting with the selection committee to pitch their projects. They will also be subject to a partnership assessment, to evaluate their organisational, operational, and financial capacity, and will be required to submit additional documentation as part of this assessment.

The Selection Committee may engage in a process of mutual communication with the shortlisted applicants to discuss potential adjustments or improvements to their proposals. Applicants will have the opportunity to refine and resubmit their proposals based on this dialogue.

All applicants will be informed individually via email about the results of the selection process.

Application Deadline

04 July, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

View details of Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya

Apply for Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya