The Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE) SME Grant Kenya is a small- and medium-sized enterprise grant that is available for SMEs who are currently operating in Kenya.
The grant facility is part of the initiative. This initiative is part of the European Union-funded Regional PLACE programme and is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
The Grant Facility is tailored towards SMEs that enhance and support climate resilience, promote sustainable livestock systems, and strengthen pastoral livelihoods when strengthening climate-resilient pastoral and agro-pastoral market systems by supporting SMEs that play a key role in livestock value chains.
If your SME business is part of the listed SMEs, then you should take this opportunity to access this grant, as this is one of the best ways to access funds without taking a loan whose interest rate is high. This grant is for free, and the best part is that the grant will be awarded on the cash value of United States dollars, ensuring that you don’t lose your fund value faster because of inflation.
Interested in the PLACE SME grant facility in Kenya? Then get to know the eligibility, requirements, grant amount, procedure, best tips to ensure you are approved, and some mistakes that you should avoid when applying for the grant.
Who Is Eligible for the PLACE SME Grant?
To be eligible for the PLACE SME Grant Facility Kenya, your business must be operating in Kenya, and it must be on the scale of a small and medium-sized enterprise; it is not for large enterprises, and also the enterprise must contribute to the solution pertaining to climate adaptation in the livestock and pastoralism sectors.
Being in Kenya is not only enough; you have to be in the following counties, and the counties are Mandera, Narok, and Kajiado.
Turkana and West Pokot.
The SMEs must be fully registered by agencies in charge of registering enterprises in Ghana, and such enterprises, when duly registered, must be involved in the following pastoral and agro-pastoral value chains, and there are milk and dairy products and red meat processing and trade.
Live animal trade, fodder production, processing and supply, honey and apiculture products and agroforestry
It should also be noted that it is not necessary that the enterprise should be involved in the primary of products relating to agriculture, but eligible enterprises can also be involved in these value chains, including input supply, veterinary and livestock services, aggregation, processing, storage, logistics, quality assurance and market distribution.
Who Is Eligible for the PLACE SME Grant?
The grant facility supports productive investments that strengthen pastoral and agro-pastoral value chains, including:
• Machinery, equipment and tools
• Processing, storage and aggregation infrastructure
• Quality improvement and compliance equipment
• Transport assets linked to value chains
• Climate-smart technologies
• Traceability and digital systems
• Value addition technologies
• Business Development Services, including training, mentorship and technical advisory support to strengthen enterprise performance and investment outcomes
PLACE SME Grant Amount
Successful applicants of the grant may receive matching grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the enterprise. Applicants are required to provide a minimum 25 per cent cash co-contribution towards the total investment cost.
PLACE SME Grant Requirements
° The enterprise must be legally registered in Kenya.
• The enterprise must operate within, or demonstrably serve, one or more of the PLACE target counties.
• Enterprise staff strength must be 20 and below in number; it is expected that the number should not be above that.
• Have an annual turnover below USD 100,000
• Commit to providing a minimum 25% cash co-contribution towards the proposed investment
• Youth- and women-led enterprises are particularly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply for the PLACE SME Grant in Kenya
• Complete the Grant Application Form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJzVBaZERRL-jBlIZ8_UGBic60GPMy8FTqZsBYy0UpAD7VaQ/viewform?usp=header
• Submit all required supporting documents
• Submit the application by August 7, 2026.
• Access the Call for Proposals, Grant Application Form and supporting documents through the official application.
How are applicants selected?
Before selection, applicants will be screened critically using the eligibility requirements and evaluated competitively based on the quality and feasibility of the proposed investment. In particular, the assessment will consider the following assessment and criteria, and they are the following:
• Strength and feasibility of the business model
• Technical and financial viability of the proposed investment
• Potential to generate employment and strengthen local livelihoods
• Contribution to climate adaptation and environmental sustainability
• Promotion of inclusion and equitable participation, particularly for women- and youth-led enterprises
• Alignment with the PLACE Programme objectives and targeted value chains
Successful applicants may be contacted by FAO to provide additional information or participate in a verification visit before the final selection of grant recipients.
What Can the PLACE SME Grant Be Used For?
° Purchase of business equipment
° Expansion of business operations
° Working capital, if permitted
° Technology and digitalisation
° Business development
° Employment and skills development
° Other approved business expenses
Common Reasons SME Grant Applications Are Rejected
° Incomplete application
° Failure to meet eligibility requirements
° Incorrect information
° Missing documents
°Weak business proposal
° Applying outside the eligible sector or location
° Submitting after the deadline
Tips for a Successful PLACE SME Grant Application
° Read the eligibility requirements carefully.
° Use accurate business information
° Prepare a clear business plan
° Explain exactly how the funding will be used.
° Demonstrate business impact
° Keep supporting documents ready.
° Apply through the official channel only.
° Avoid paying unauthorised individuals for guaranteed selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
°How much is the PLACE SME grant?
The PLACE SME grant is within the range of $5,000-$15,000 depending on the eligibility and requirements.
° Is the PLACE SME Grant repayable?
The PLACE SME grant is not a repayable fund; it is a grant, and that means once you are approved for it, you don’t have to return it.
° Can a business apply more than once?
Yes, provided the business has not been approved for the grant before, but know that you have to fulfil the required eligibility and requirements.
° Is the PLACE SME Grant application free?
Yes, the application is free; don’t be deceived by scammers; just follow the application process.
