Kenya–Uganda Adaptation Accelerator (KUAA) – Climate Adaptation SME Support
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
About This Opportunity
The Kenya–Uganda Adaptation Accelerator (KUAA) is a four-year, US$5 million programme designed to strengthen and finance early-growth small and medium-sized enterprises developing solutions that help communities and businesses adapt to climate change.
The programme focuses on climate adaptation enterprises working in areas including climate-resilient agriculture and food systems, water security, resilient value chains and other solutions that strengthen community and economic resilience.
KUAA will provide cohort-based business acceleration to at least 100 adaptation SMEs, helping enterprises strengthen their business models, develop investment plans and become more investment-ready.
A subset of 30 enterprises will receive performance-based grants of up to US$50,000, with at least 15 of these grants targeted to women-led enterprises. Grants will be linked to agreed Adaptation Performance Targets and accompanied by post-investment advisory support.
The programme will also strengthen access to commercial finance by working with financial institutions and developing blended-finance instruments for adaptation enterprises.
The first calls for SME applications are planned for November 2026. The programme is implemented by UNIDO together with adelphi, Kenya Climate Ventures and Finding XY, in partnership with the Governments of Kenya and Uganda and with funding from the Adaptation Fund.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an SME operating in Kenya or Uganda.
- Must develop or provide a solution that contributes to climate adaptation.
- Must be an early-growth enterprise with potential for sustainable expansion.
- Must address a clearly defined climate adaptation challenge.
- Solutions may address climate-resilient agriculture and food systems, water security, resilient value chains or other adaptation needs.
- Must demonstrate potential to strengthen resilience of communities, businesses or vulnerable groups.
- Must demonstrate potential for business growth and investment readiness.
- Women-led and youth-led enterprises are particularly encouraged.
- Enterprises must be willing to participate in business acceleration and investment-readiness support.
- Selected enterprises receiving grants will be required to work against agreed Adaptation Performance Targets.
Required Documents
- Company or enterprise profile.
- Description of the climate adaptation solution.
- Business model and growth strategy.
- Information on products or services.
- Evidence of business operations and market activity.
- Management and founding team information.
- Financial and business performance information.
- Description of climate adaptation impact.
- Information on beneficiaries and communities served.
- Investment or financing requirements.
- Additional documents specified in the official application call.
Funding Details
Funding Type
Grant
Funding Amount
From USD 50,000
Organization
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Eligible Countries
Kenya, Uganda
Application Deadline
Rolling Applications
Posted
September 14, 2026
1 day ago
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