Are you working on a scalable and ambitious business or project based in Kenya? Does it generate financial returns for investors and communities, while positively impacting nature and people? Are there adaptation and/or mitigation of climate change benefits? 

If you answered yes to the above questions, you should apply

Through The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD), the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made €160 Million available to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change.


On the 12th of December 2015, the Paris Agreement was signed by world leaders with the goal of minimising the impacts of climate change and accelerating and intensifying the actions and investments needed for a sustainable low-carbon future. As part of its responses to the Paris Agreement commitments, the Dutch Government has made available €160 million, through the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) to increase the resilience of communities and ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change. The Dutch entrepreneurial development bank (FMO) , The climate Fund Managers (CFM), The Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), and  the World Wildlife Fund Netherlands (WWF) are the 4 organisations forming a consortium to manage the €160m fund.



WWF Kenya and The Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD) are looking to support scalable Bankable Nature Solutions (BnS) that focus on a set of high impact investment themes, all of which are critical to tackling climate change and achieving the SDGs.
 

 We are looking for scalable business models and potentially bankable projects in the following sectors:

• Water & Sanitation: Climate-resilient water systems and freshwater ecosystems
• Environmental protection: Protecting the environment, protecting people
• Forestry: Forestry for the future
• Agriculture: Boost food security with climate-smart agriculture

Kenya has been identified as a key landscape and the WWF-Kenya aims to identify and support Bankable Nature Solutions. We welcome projects that seek to improve the wellbeing, economic prospects and livelihoods of vulnerable groups – particularly women and children – and enhance the health of critical ecosystems.

The DFCD support will focus on the following topics:

• Project Bankability
• Work and Business Plan Development
• Grant Support (stage 1 and 2, see below)
• Debt/Equity (stage 3, see below)
• Technical support
• Access to a large global network 

Project stages 

Stage 1 (Structure): Business plan, project design and financial structure based on funding mechanisms are not yet fully developed. Concept showcases the potential for impact. (€20 - 50K grant or technical assistance, no co-financing required.)

Stage 2 (Develop): The business plan, project design and financial structure based on funding mechanisms are almost ready. Project sites and permissions have been secured. You have several experts engaged. (€100 - €350K funding per project - with 50% co-financing or in-kind contributions.)

Stage 3 (Finance/Implement): Business plan, project design and financial structure based on funding mechanisms are ready. Both (pre)feasibility tests and important ground research are done and various environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria are met. Project is in the middle of implementation, or the project is implemented and you are seeking >€3-20M+ for expansion. Assessment to enter this stage is done by FMO (Land use) or CFM (Water).


 

If you are working on a project that is seeking finance to help support, structure and develop your idea, making it investor-ready, and aim to raise >€3-20M+ over the next 3 to 5 years, you should apply. 

Below is the first set of criteria to consider before applying:

• Company or project is based in Kenya.
• Clear link to the DFCD investment themes.
• Rio Marker 2: Projects should meet the Rio Marker System on Climate Change (Mitigation and/or Adaptation.)
• Focus development impacts on vulnerable groups (employment or benefit for people below the poverty line, women and/or children).
• The Grantee needs to be a private-sector entity: a privately-owned corporate (limited liability company), co-operatives or a for-profit social enterprise.
• You are looking to raise around >€3-20M+ over the next 3 to 5 years.
• Potential as a highly scalable and bankable project (commercial viability.) 
• Priority for projects that are hard to fund in the regular market.
• Projects focusing only on training, skill-building or policy only, will not qualify.

We’re looking forward to working with you on promising projects that aim to preserve precious ecosystems and improve livelihoods. 

If you have a project that you think would be interesting to DFCD and benefit from the grants and technical assistance offered by WWF’s Origination Facility, then we encourage you to apply.

Submit your business proposal through our concept intake form - it takes less than 15 minutes and feedback will be given within 14 days. 

If you’re interested in working with us and/or if you have further questions about the DFCD programme in Kenya, we would love to hear from you.

If you, or someone you know, is working on a climate mitigation or adaptation nature-based sustainability project? Apply now, and don’t forget to share this opportunity with your friends, colleagues, and networks!

Good luck and we’re excited to hear from you.