Request for EOIs: Youth Enabling Organization to Support in the Recruitment and Management of Youth-Led Organizations in Kenya

In Kenya, Youth aged 15–34 years constitute approximately 35% of the population, yet the youth unemployment rate remains alarmingly high—estimated at 67%, according to Statista. This crisis is fueled by a complex interplay of factors, including:

• A mismatch between skills acquired and market needs, particularly in sectors driving future employment such as agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship.
• A shortage of life skills, mentorship, and career guidance, which limits young people’s ability to navigate the transition from education to work.
• Limited access to apprenticeship and practical training opportunities that build real-world experience.
• Weak enabling environments for youth entrepreneurship and innovation, compounded by poor access to capital, networks, and business development support.

Focus Areas

• Youth-led organizations are uniquely positioned to drive transformative change and innovation. They bring firsthand insight into the challenges faced by young people and are critical in designing and delivering relevant, inclusive, and impactful solutions. By partnering with these organizations, the Foundation seeks to amplify youth voices, support locally driven innovation, and scale up efforts that unlock meaningful work opportunities for all young people. The partnership with youth-led organizations focuses on the following key areas:
  • Education and Skills Development – Providing young people with the knowledge and practical skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship.
  • Financial Inclusion – Expanding youth access to financial services and tools to support their economic empowerment.
  • Youth Employment – Promoting inclusive job creation in high-potential sectors such as agriculture, construction, and technology.
  • Disability Inclusion – Ensuring young people with disabilities have equal access to education, training, and work opportunities.
  • Gender Equality – Addressing systemic barriers faced by young women in accessing education, employment, and leadership opportunities.

Scope of Work

• A Kenyan-based organization or a consultancy firm will support the Youth Engagement team in:
  • Recruitment and Onboarding of Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs): Identify, recruit, and onboard YLOs across Kenya, prioritizing those led by young women, refugees, and persons with disabilities. Selected YLOS should align with the strategic priorities of the Kenya Country Program, including Agrifood systems, Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship, Creatives, and Workforce Development with Gender, Youth, Refugee, and Persons with Disabilities.
  • Contracting, Funds Disbursement and Management: Assess, contract, and disburse approved funding to onboarded Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs). In addition, the selected organization will be responsible for overseeing the utilization of program funds, ensuring compliance with Mastercard Foundation’s financial guidelines, policies, and reporting standards.
  • Oversight and Support During Implementation: The selected organization will be responsible for overseeing the programmatic and financial management of the Youth-Led Organizations (YLOs) throughout the implementation phase. While providing operational guidance and support, the organization must uphold the independence, voice, and agency of the YLOs, ensuring they lead and implement their programs autonomously.
  • Facilitation of Learning Forums and Knowledge Sharing: Design and lead youth-centred, participatory learning sessions, fostering continuous reflection and adaptive learning among Youth-Led Organizations (YLOS). It will also be responsible for documenting key lessons, success stories, and challenges throughout the implementation period. These insights will be regularly shared with the Foundation and relevant stakeholders, ensuring that youth voice and agency remain central to program learning and improvement.
  • Coordination of capacity building and strengthening to ensure the YLOs are more effective in delivering on their work and mandate and contribute to enabling young people into dignified and fulfilling work.

Duration

• Duration of Assignment: The assignment will run for 3 years (June 2025-June 2028)

Eligibility Criteria

• A Kenyan-led organization/Firm experienced in leading innovative youth-centric programming in sectors including: -Financial inclusion, Agri-Food systems, Education and transitions, Creatives and Digital Economy.
• Demonstrated experience inworking with young women and men as well as managing youth focused/ facing Programs.
• An organization with demonstrated experience in providing technical support to youth-based Community Organizations, Women’s Rights Organizations, and Youth-Led Organizations.
• Have considerable national reach and coverage of the designated geographic areas and sectors of the Foundation’s programs and partnership/investments.
• Have substantial proven experience mainstreaming and advocating for Youth Voices across the project cycle, including monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning.
• An organization with the ability to program with and for young people.
• Technical knowledge in the sectoral areas of work of the Foundation and a deep understanding of resilience concepts and sustainable development.
• Experience in conducting youth based learnings and providing technical expertise in project designs for different portfolios.
• Have a proven track record of working with young and marginalized populations, including refugees and persons with disabilities.

For more information, visit Mastercard Foundation.