Q&A for Fund for Local Cooperation - Call for Project Proposals 2025
Q: Are Universities in Kenya eligible to apply?
A: Universities are eligible to apply but support for basic research cannot be counted as development aid (ODA eligibility)
Q: Is the number of companies supported a critical weighing factor when assessing the proposal? Or is the emphasis more on quality and depth of support?
A: The assessment process including technical assessment is outlined in the Call for Proposals in section for eligibility criteria.
Q: Would you anyway have a requirement for the circular economy TA service (that is offered as part of the project) to be offered through an open process? For companies to join
A: If the applicant is a private company, it must be registered and have real business operations in the country in question. The company must have sound financial record, sufficient commercial business experience and know-how. In addition, the applicant must have sufficient financial and human resources for the implementation of the project. Only one service provider will be selected to receive funding to deliver business development services and technical assistance to SMEs as outlined in the call for proposal. The applicant should play an active part in the project and share the risks.
Q: Can two organizations/networks co-implement a project?
A: Registered Networks/consortiums that have governance structure to provide policy, financial and strategic direction, oversight are eligible
Q: Clarify if a project budget should be included with the application? If so, are there specific guidelines or templates we should follow?
A: Yes, a project budget should be included. We do not have specific templates. Applicants are encouraged to use their own but follow the guidelines provided on the application format on the Embassy webpage
Q: Can an organization submit more than one application with different focus areas?
A: Only one proposal per organization. The proposed project can focus to address one or more of the focus areas of the call and there has to be clear direct linkage between the activities
Q: Are INGO with over a decade of local presence in Kenya with direct expertise in program implementation and management, and holding a valid registration eligible to apply. Does the term "local NGOs" include Kenyan-registered country offices of international NGOs (INGOs)?
A: The applicant need to be a local non-governmental organization, civil society organization, foundation, Community Based Organization, or private/non-profit private entities registered in Kenya and abide by relevant local registrations. INGO are not eligible.
Q: Is a subsidiary of a German Company that is registered in Kenya which is only one year old eligible?
A: The requirement is a minimum of 3 years of operation in Kenya regardless of sister company long existence. The applicant must be result oriented, reputable with experience and necessary organizational structures in place.
Q: PLASTIC RECYCLING / DRILLING BOREHOLES / SUPPORTING ORPHANAGES
A: This is not eligible. Refer to the call objectives
Q: Is an organization in the registration process as an association under the Societies Act eligible?
A: Only entities registered in Kenya that abide by relevant local registrations and has been operational for a minimum of three (3) years.
Q: Do you fund green projects?
A: The fund available is specifically for what is outlined in the call for proposals
Q: Could the Embassy clarify if well-defined projects refers to 1) already existing projects that the grant would support to scale
A: The call is targeted for new projects
Q: Priority will be given to a project that advances partnership between Kenyan and Finnish companies/institutions". Is the Finnish institution required to submit the proposal too?
A: The proposal should be submitted by the lead applicant. Only one service provider will be selected to receive funding to deliver business development services and technical assistance to SMEs as outlined in the call for proposal. The applicant must be legally registered in Kenya and complies with all relevant local registration requirements and has been in operation for a minimum of 3 years
Q: In the provided application format section B states the ‘proposal accompanied by a project plan, including the project's results chain or framework, risk matrix and a detailed budget.’ These are proposed as attachments but the instructions in section B direct that some of these should be provided as information in the proposal. This would represent a duplication of the information provided in the narrative section of the proposal and attachments. Could the Embassy clarify if the expectation is to include these sections both in the narrative section of the proposal and as attachments or what different information is to be provided in the attachments if already described in the main body of the proposal?
A: It is outlined in the application format what should be provided as attachments
Q: The format requirements include among others, the "Funds already contributed by the Finnish Mission". Does this apply to new applicants of FCL who have had no previous support from Finland?
A: Please refer to the application format, its clear.
Q: Is the Embassy open to applications from trust-based NGOs who have established operational policies and relevant experience and management capacity demonstrated through the collective and individual trustee members experiences?
A: The applicant needs to be a local non-governmental organization, civil society organization or foundation, community based organization, or private/ non-profit private entities registered in Kenya and abide by relevant local registrations. INGOs cannot be recipient of the grant.
Q: Clarify whether a Kenyan Branch of a US-registered non-profit qualifies as an eligible actor. The Branch has had a full year of operations in 2024, and completed the statutory audit and local statutory filings for FY2024.
A: The requirement is a minimum of 3 years of operation in Kenya regardless of sister company long existence. Local non-governmental organization, civil society organization, foundation, Community Based Organization, or profit/non-profit private entities registered in Kenya and abide by relevant local registrations are eligible.
Q: Clarify whether the call allows for consortium applications where AMF could identify a partner aligned to the eligibility and TOR technical requirements and submit a joint bid
A: Registered Networks/consortiums that have governance structure to provide policy, financial and strategic direction and oversight, are eligible. The proposal should be submitted by the lead applicant.
Q: Is a Kenyan limited company with a parent company in Finland eligible to apply for the FLC grant?
A: A Kenyan locally registered company that operates as an independent legal entity and has been operational for a minimum of 3 years is eligible.
Q: Is it possible to apply as consortium? With a leading applicant in Kenya and other(s) in Europe?
A: Registered Networks/consortiums that have governance structure to provide policy, financial and strategic direction and oversight, are eligible. The applicants should have real business operations in the country and abide by relevant local registrations. The proposal should be submitted by the lead applicant.
Q: Is FLC Fundings of different/ various phrases of the project covered paid after work is done or prior work commencement
A: 1. Companies: The project will receive the due amount of the FLC grant after the approved project expenses have incurred. The FLC grant can cover maximum 70 % of the entire project costs.
2. Non state actors: Funding is provided through various phases of the project and this will be outlined in the agreement
Q: We are a Danish based company but work closely with NGOs in Kenya offering mobile-first digital education primarily on AI education. If the NGO based in Kenya applied as the primary, could our company apply as the secondary for this call?
A: Please note that the funding available is for circular economy project as outlined in the call for proposal