CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR BENEFICIARY GRANTS TO FARMER ORGANIZATIONS

DIRECT BENEFICIARY GRANTS FOR FARM AND FOREST PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS 

“TO DEVELOP FARM FORESTRY INCLUSIVE BUSINESSES TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS CLIMATE RESILIENT LANDSCAPES AND IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS”

Strengthening linkages between Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve the quantity and quality of products, access to markets and standards

With Support from County Governments and Kenya Forest Service (KFS)

Background

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

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. 

For more information, visit FFF website; https://www.fao.org/forest-farm-facility/en

Direct Beneficiary Grants

The FFF Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBGs) are an investment support modality to farmers focused on Strengthening linkages between Forest and Farm Producer Organizations (FFPOs) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to improve the quantity and quality of products, access to markets and meet set standards for various agro-forestry value chains

The Objective of this call for applications is to award grants for organising forest and farm producers for development of farm forestry, and landscape-based production systems and end market driven (gender) inclusive business in Baringo, Bomet, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Kisii, Laikipia, Machakos, Nakuru, Samburu, and Vihiga Counties

Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate capacity to link FFPOs with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to improve quantity and quality of production, enhance access to better markets and help attain standards through certifications. 

The proposal can include purchase of small processing equipment, tools, machines etc critical to value addition, productivity and improved profitability. For this specific kind of investments (small machines, equipment, tools etc), the Applicant will be required to co-finance between 10% – 20% of the cost of that investment, and The Grant will fully cover the rest of activities in the Proposal

FFF Grant Amount

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. The grant value calculation will be evaluated based on the one proposed in the budget table by the applicant and it will be agreed by the First Committee and the Second Committee

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)

The Applicant must demonstrate willingness, ability and commitment to match in cash the minimum contribution for investment component in the proposal 

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

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

Project Duration

The proposed project should be implemented within a period of 12 months

Deadline of Submission

Applicants should complete and submit their applications via the online platform by 15^th April 2024, 5:00PM

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: Please Read carefully all the instructions and information package provided before starting the application process

• Step 1: Download and read carefully the FAO-FFF DBG information files from the link below

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q5oEzVEHhluhBDzd6TSK1Qfs5RcgNxxq?usp=drive_link

Use these files to prepare notes/answers to the questions contained in the online application platform.        DO NOT upload these files, use them only as a guide to prepare your answers

• Step 2: Click on the link below to start the application process

https://fao-grants.smapply.io/prog/FFF_KENYA_GRANTS/ 

• Step 3: Register with Survey Monkey Apply platform using the organization’s Official Email address or Organization’s official contact person’s email (Refer to the downloaded Survey Monkey Apply Platform Registration Manual)
• Step 3: Click “View Programmes” to start the application process
• Step 5: Click “More” Under “Kenya - FAO Call for Applications”
• Step 6: Click“Apply” on the top right corner, and enter the title of your project
• Step 7: Click on the link Under “Your Tasks” to proceed with application process to completion. Refer to attached manual for further details

NOTE: Remember to draw signature using the computer mouse at the end of process, and ensure you click Submit button to complete the application

Important files to upload 

Applicants are required to upload the following documents in PDF Format

• Registration Certificate
• Certified bank Statement – at least 3 months old
• Recommendation Letter
• Additional files (3 max) e.g Organization’s profile, proposal details etc

Further Inquiries

For further inquiries regarding FAO-FFF DBG 2024, please contact faoke-fff@fao.org 

               NOTE: This email is for inquiries only. Applications sent to this email will be automatically rejected

FAO Kenya Website:        https://www.fao.org/kenya/fao-in-kenya/en/ 

FFF Website:                      https://www.fao.org/forest-farm-facility/about/en/ 

Application Portal:           https://fao-grants.smapply.io/prog/FFF_KENYA_GRANTS/