Kenya Rural Enterprise Programme

The programme is based on an assessment of income-generation projects in Kenya and is designed to respond to the diverse needs of such organizations. REP offers both financial assistance (grants) and technical advising and training in areas such as planning, administration, and management for income-generation assistance, accounting and financial management, field-staff training, and revolving credit-fund administration and follow-up. The programme is being initiated by World Education, Inc. (WEI), a U.S.-based NGO, which is specialized in non-formal education, training, and organizational development. Partnership for Productivity/International (PfP/I) of Washington, D.C., is providing advisors with experience in assisting small enterprise projects on an as-needed basis. The majority of REP senior staff are Kenyan, and Kenyan advisors will be used wherever possible. A Project Review Committee composed of prestigious Kenyans with experience in related fields has been established to make decisions regarding the disbursement of grant funds to projects and to guide the organization in policy matters. The REP aims to remain open and responsive to as many viable projects as possible, complementing and encouraging innovation and learning in this vital area. The programme plans to work as a partner with NGOs, offering technical support and financial assistance as appropriate. To promote collaboration among NGOs, an Advisory Committee has been established to discuss mutual matters of concern in planning and implementing income-generation programmes. The programme will render assistance to Kenyan non-governmental organizations that operate on a not-for-profit basis, have prior experience with income-generation projects, and are administratively sound. Participation in the programme is also open to U.S. NGOs that demonstrate strong institution-building relationships with Kenyan counterpart organizations at local or intermediary levels. The REP can fund all aspects of programmes related to enterprise development, including funds for credit, support for business staff and activities, and social-development activities directly related to enterprise development. The programme recognizes that the social and promotional activities of NGOs lay the basis for the successful delivery of credit and other services. In providing assistance to projects, the REP will remain flexible and responsive as long as the project and institution in question are basically viable. The assistance process involves initiating discussions on project review requests from NGOs, deciding on the general acceptability of the project, finalizing the proposal, providing technical advising and training, and making decisions on funding. The Project Review Committee, composed of experienced individuals, will decide on funding, while USAID retains the right to review projects applying for over Kshs. 1.5 million. The REP has assembled an experienced staff, including a Programme Director, a Project Development and Review Director, a Credit Specialist, an Accountant/Finance Manager, and a Training Advisor. International consultants and Kenyan consultants can be made available to projects as needed. The programme has also established a Project Review Committee whose deep experience in this field should serve the REP and NGO projects well.