About this opportunity
UNHCR Kenya is inviting refugee-led organisations and refugee-led social enterprises to apply for small grants of up to USD 5,000. The funding supports community-driven education programmes focused on out-of-school children and youth in Kakuma Municipality, including the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settlement areas in Turkana County.
Projects should help children enrol or return to school and stay there. That can mean identifying and verifying out-of-school children in the community, household outreach and referrals, collecting and monitoring education data, or supporting scholarship students with school fees, stipends and mentorship. Grants run for up to three months and can be renewed based on funding availability.
The call sits within the Government of Kenya's Shirika Plan, which places refugee inclusion and community participation at the centre of education programming. To qualify, your organisation must be registered in Kenya, have at least half of its leadership held by refugees or asylum seekers, and be operational in Turkana West Sub-County. UNHCR strongly encourages applications from women-led, youth-led and disability-inclusive organisations, and asks that concept notes stay within five pages.
What you receive
- Small grants of up to USD 5,000
- Implementation period of up to 3 months, renewable based on funding availability
- Support for community-driven education work in Kakuma and Kalobeyei
- An opportunity to strengthen the registration, governance and safeguarding systems of your organisation
Who can apply
- A registered Refugee-Led Organisation or Refugee-Led Social Enterprise operating in Kenya
- At least 50 percent of leadership positions held by refugees or asylum seekers
- Operational in Turkana West Sub-County
- Demonstrated experience in education programming, community outreach, data collection, child protection, youth engagement or related interventions
- A strong community presence and networks within the target population
- Proposed activities must not already receive funding from UNHCR or another donor during the proposed period
Who should not apply
- Organisations whose proposed activities are funded by UNHCR or another donor for the same period
Documents to prepare
- Completed Kobo application form
- Project concept note of maximum 5 pages, using the UNHCR concept note template
- Registration certificate
- Governance structure of the organisation
- Safeguarding or PSEA policies, where available
How to apply
- Download the concept note template from the official announcement page at https://help.unhcr.org/kenya/2026-09-21/call-for-expression-of-interest-eoi-2/
- Write a concept note of no more than 5 pages focused on education for out-of-school children and youth in Kakuma Municipality, including Kakuma and Kalobeyei
- Open the official application form at https://enketo.unhcr.org/x/4fHn9che and complete it
- Upload your concept note and proof documents: registration certificate, governance structure, and safeguarding or PSEA policies where available
- Submit before 7 October 2026 at 23:59 East African Time
- For questions, email the UNHCR Kenya helpline at helpline.kenya@unhcr.org
Selection process
- Concept notes are reviewed against the priority areas and assessment criteria in the call, including community impact, feasibility, and monitoring, data collection and accountability arrangements
- UNHCR strongly encourages applications from women-led, youth-led, disability-inclusive and other under-represented refugee-led organisations
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
How much funding is available?
Up to USD 5,000 per project, for an implementation period of up to 3 months that can be renewed based on funding availability.
Who can apply?
Registered Refugee-Led Organisations and Refugee-Led Social Enterprises operating in Kenya, with at least half of leadership positions held by refugees or asylum seekers and operations in Turkana West Sub-County.
Where must the project take place?
In Kakuma Municipality, including the Kakuma and Kalobeyei refugee settlement areas, serving refugee and host community children and youth.
What are the priority areas?
Identifying and re-enrolling out-of-school children, education data collection and monitoring, and support for scholarship students with emerging needs such as school fees and stipends.
Can my project already be funded by another donor?
No. Proposed activities must not receive funding from UNHCR or another donor during the proposed period.
When does the call close?
On 7 October 2026 at 23:59 East African Time.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
