Transformative Action (META) for Structured CSO Dialogue, Kenya

The Meaningful Engagement – Transformative Action (META) initiative aims to strengthen the capacities and influence of Kenyan civil society organizations (CSOs) as independent actors advocating for accountability, good governance, and inclusive development.

📖 About Transformative Action (META)

The META initiative is a joint action led by the African Women’s Communication and Development Network (FEMNET), in collaboration with 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 program will run from 2024 to 2027 and seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• Improved and strengthened dialogue between Kenyan civil society actors, local authorities, and the EU.
• Enhanced skills, knowledge, and resources for Kenyan civil society actors, including youth and women’s rights organizations.
• Increased information sharing and collaboration 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, categorized into:

• National and international NGOs: Registered 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 to ensure grassroots organizations have the opportunity to strengthen their capacities and influence. Verification and contracting of partners will be carried out by FEMNET.

💰 Benefits

The META initiative will disburse small grants to 16 diverse CBOs across Kenya's six Regional Economic Blocs. Key details include:

• Grant Amounts:
  • Minimum: 600,000 KES
  • Maximum: 3,000,000 KES
  • Average: 2,000,000 KES
• Target Groups:
  • At least 50% of sub-grants will be allocated to youth and women-led CBOs.
  • At least 4 organizations will work with or be led by persons with disabilities, indigenous persons, and ethnic minorities.

Grant Outcome Areas

1. Structured and inclusive dialogue platforms between Kenyan CBOs and the EU.
2. Enhanced skills and resources for Kenyan civil society actors to address development priorities.
3. Increased collaboration and information sharing among Kenyan civil society actors.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

The call targets community-based organizations (CBOs) that:

• Have never received EU funding.
• Are not-for-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organizations, such as:
  • Women groups
  • Youth groups
  • Neighborhood associations
  • Social welfare and self-help groups
  • Faith-based organizations
• Are registered under the Societies Act, Trust Act, or Companies Act.
• Operate at the grassroots/community level.

Who Is Not Eligible?

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

Geographical Scope

This call is open to all 47 counties in Kenya.

📋 Project Scope and Requirements

Key Requirements for Applicants

1. Mission:
   • Provide documentation demonstrating registration.
   • Show alignment with efforts to promote accountability, good governance, and sustainable development.
2. Alignment: Clear relevance of the proposed action to META objectives.
3. Reach: Number of stakeholders to be reached and expected outcomes.
4. Budget: Realistic and cost-effective allocation.
5. Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to reach excluded and vulnerable communities.
6. Inclusivity and Diversity: Demonstrate work with marginalized groups (e.g., persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, youth).
7. Innovation and Sustainability: Propose innovative approaches aligned with META priority areas.
8. Proposal Limit: Only one proposal per applicant will be accepted.

Additional Guidelines for Women and Youth-Led CBOs

Women-Led CBOs

• Focus on gender justice.
• Executive leadership by women.
• At least 50% of decision-making roles held by women.
• Gender equality focus.

Youth-Led CBOs

• Work with and for youth.
• Executive leadership aged 35 years or below.
• At least 50% of decision-making roles held by youth.

Persons with Disabilities

• Leadership includes persons with disabilities.
• At least 50% of decision-making roles held by persons with disabilities.
• Focus on addressing inequalities faced by persons with disabilities.

Indigenous Persons

• At least 50% of leadership includes indigenous persons.
• Focus on promoting indigenous rights, culture, and sustainable development.

🗓️ Application Date and Process

Application Deadline

4th July 2025 at 23:59 hrs.

How to Apply

1. Download and complete the Small Grant Application Template available here.
2. Budget Allocation:
   • Staff time: 20%
   • Administration: 10%
   • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: 10%
   • Program Activities: 60%
3. Submit the completed application and budget to recruitment@femnet.or.ke.

Questions and Clarifications

• Send inquiries to e.nyawira@femnet.or.ke by 13th June 2025.
• FEMNET will publish a FAQ document on their website.

🏆 Evaluation and Selection Process

• A Selection Committee comprising META consortium members, Steering Committee, and Youth Sounding Board members will review proposals.
• Preliminary results will be communicated via email.
• Shortlisted applicants will:
  • Participate in a virtual meeting to pitch their projects.
  • Undergo a partnership assessment to evaluate organizational, operational, and financial capacity.
• Applicants will receive feedback and may refine their proposals before final submission.
• All applicants will be informed individually about the selection results.

For more details, visit the official META page.

• Small grants disbursed, averaging 2,000,000 KES per partner.
• Minimum amount per partner: 600,000 KES.
• Maximum amount per partner: 3,000,000 KES.
• Targeting 16 diverse CBOs in the 6 Regional Economic Blocs in Kenya.
• At least 50% of sub-grants allocated to youth and women-led CBOs.