Deadline Date: May 08, 2026
The United Nations Development Programme is requesting grant applications to strengthen youth- and women-led networks through capacity building and mentorship to improve their sustainability, governance, and development impact.
The focus areas of this initiative include strengthening youth- and women-led CSO and CBO networks, sustainability and partnership building, strategic communications and results-based reporting, financial management for civil society organizations, organizational development and governance systems, capacity building and mentorship programmes, monitoring and evaluation systems, and enhanced participation in human development and rights-based initiatives.
This programme is being implemented under the Amkeni Wakenya facility in collaboration with state and non-state actors. It forms part of broader initiatives aimed at strengthening the rule of law, human rights, justice, and security for sustainable peace and development, as well as promoting environmental human rights defenders and advancing youth and women participation in governance and development processes.
The objective of the consultancy is to position nine youth- and women-led CSO and CBO networks across Kitui, Turkana, Kilifi, and Kwale counties as sustainable and self-reliant actors. This is to be achieved through structured capacity building and mentorship focused on improving organizational effectiveness and long-term viability.
Key areas of capacity strengthening include sustainability and partnership development through social enterprise models and strategic alliances, improving strategic communication and results-based reporting through storytelling and knowledge management, strengthening financial management systems including budgeting and compliance, and enhancing organizational development through governance structures and institutional systems.
The service provider will conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify capacity gaps and opportunities within the selected networks. Based on this assessment, a tailored capacity building and mentorship plan will be developed to address specific needs of the participating organizations.
Training materials will be designed and developed based on identified gaps and will be tailored to ensure relevance to the target groups. These materials will support structured learning and practical application of skills across all thematic areas.
In addition, monitoring and evaluation tools will be developed to track progress, measure performance indicators, collect feedback from participants, and document lessons learned, success stories, and best practices throughout the implementation process.
Eligible service providers must be legally registered in Kenya with at least seven years of operational experience and maintain a physical office in the country. They must demonstrate proven experience in delivering capacity strengthening and mentorship assignments, particularly in sustainability, strategic communications, financial management, and organizational development for CSOs.
Applicants should also have experience working with civil society networks, youth- and women-led organizations, and preferably with international or multilateral organizations. A multidisciplinary team with relevant expertise is required, along with demonstrated contextual knowledge of Kenya’s civic and governance environment, especially in marginalized counties.
For more information, visit UNDP.
