New education grants open for refugee-led organisations in Kenya
Kakuma, 6 October 2026
UNHCR Kenya is offering education grants of up to USD 5,000 to local organisations, provided refugees or asylum seekers hold at least half of their leadership positions.
Local empowerment through the Shirika Plan
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Kenya has launched a call for expressions of interest to support education programmes in Kakuma Municipality, Turkana County [1][3]. These small grants, capped at USD 5,000 per recipient, focus on out-of-school children and youth in the Kakuma and Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement Areas [1][3]. This scheme aligns with the Government of Kenya’s Shirika Plan, which is designed to help refugees participate in local economic and social life [1][3][4]. By empowering local organisations, the initiative aims to create sustainable solutions for education within these communities [1][3].
Who is eligible to apply?
To qualify for this funding, your organisation must meet strict eligibility rules. First, applicants must be registered in Kenya as a Refugee-Led Organisation (RLO) or a Refugee-Led Social Enterprise [1][3]. Second, refugees or asylum seekers must hold at least 50% of the leadership positions within the group [1][3]. For example, in an organisation with 10 leadership positions, at least 5 of those roles must be held by refugees or asylum seekers. Finally, the organisation must have an active operational presence and experience in Turkana West Sub-County, specifically within the Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements [1][3].
Project requirements and focus areas
Applicants must also prove they have experience in education programming, community outreach, or similar work [1]. Additionally, the activities proposed for this grant must not receive funding from other donors or the UNHCR at the same time [1][3]. The grants are designed to support community-driven projects running for an initial period of up to 3 months, with a possibility of renewal if more funding becomes available [1][3].
Supporting vulnerable learners
The projects must focus on key areas, such as finding and re-enrolling children who have dropped out of school, collecting education data, and helping students who have received scholarships, like those from JKF and EGF [1][3]. The funding also aims to help vulnerable learners, including girls and children with disabilities [1][3]. Selected groups can use the funds for academic mentorship, strengthening cooperation between schools and communities, and breaking down barriers that prevent children from attending school [1][3].
How to apply before the deadline
The application process is entirely online and must be completed before the fast-approaching deadline [1][3]. Organisations must submit their applications by tomorrow, Wednesday, 7 October 2026, at 23:59 East Africa Time (EAT) [1][3]. Applicants must fill out the official Kobo Application Form online [1][3]. Along with the online form, applicants must upload a Project Concept Note that is no longer than 5 pages [1][3]. They must also provide supporting documents, including their official Registration Certificate, a document showing their Governance Structure, and their policies on Safeguarding and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) [1][3]. For any questions, applicants can email the official helpline at helpline.kenya@unhcr.org [3].