Call for Applications: SME Grant Facility – PLACE Programme (Matching Grants of USD 5,000–15,000)

The Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa (PLACE) Programme is inviting applications from eligible Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya for its SME Grant Facility. The initiative is part of the European Union-funded Regional PLACE Programme and is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The SME Grant Facility aims to strengthen climate-resilient pastoral and agro-pastoral market systems by supporting innovative and scalable enterprises that play a critical role in livestock value chains. Through milestone-based matching grants combined with comprehensive Business Development Services, the programme seeks to help SMEs expand their operations, improve productivity, increase value addition, strengthen market access, and build more resilient livelihoods for pastoral communities.

The programme is designed to support enterprises operating in, or directly supporting, key pastoral and agro-pastoral value chains, including:

• Milk and dairy products
• Red meat processing and trade
• Live animal trade
• Fodder production, processing and supply
• Honey and apiculture products
• Agroforestry

Eligible businesses may operate across different stages of these value chains, including input supply, veterinary and livestock services, aggregation, processing, storage, logistics, quality assurance, and market distribution.

Successful applicants may receive matching grants ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 to invest in productive assets and technologies that strengthen climate resilience and business growth. Eligible investments include machinery and equipment, processing and storage infrastructure, transport assets linked to livestock value chains, quality improvement systems, climate-smart technologies, traceability and digital systems, and value addition technologies.

In addition to financial support, successful SMEs will receive Business Development Services, including business training, mentorship, and technical advisory support to strengthen enterprise performance and maximize investment outcomes.

Applications will be evaluated competitively based on the strength and feasibility of the business model, technical and financial viability of the proposed investment, potential to generate employment and improve local livelihoods, contribution to climate adaptation and environmental sustainability, promotion of women's and youth participation, and alignment with the objectives of the PLACE Programme.

Youth-led and women-led enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply.

Eligible Counties

• Mandera
• Narok
• Kajiado
• Turkana
• West Pokot

Eligible Investments

• Machinery, equipment and tools
• Processing, storage and aggregation infrastructure
• Quality improvement and compliance equipment
• Transport assets linked to livestock value chains
• Climate-smart technologies
• Traceability and digital systems
• Value addition technologies

Funder

European Union (EU)

Programme

Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa (PLACE)