Competitive Business Challenge

Launch Webinar
Private Sector Window
Social Enterprise Window

The Competitive Business Challenge of KKCF is an opportunity for local entrepreneurs, social enterprise directors and company owners to access performance-based grants and technical support for expanding or establishing new products and services to serve the refugees and host communities of these areas.

On 10th November 2020, we will be launching the private sector and social enterprise competitions and inviting online applications until 22nd December 2020. Competition launches will be virtual while COVID-19 restrictions are in place and interested applicants will be supported through webinars and virtual interactions.

We will be promoting the competition windows to the following target groups:

  • Social enterprises willing to start or expand their business (mostly addressing, water, sanitation and education); and
  • For-profit private companies willing to start or expand their businesses and supply high quality tested products and services in Kakuma and Kalobeyei area and host communities.

Funding available will depend on the size and turnover of the existing company, social enterprise, or single trader.

For companies and social enterprises, repayable grants and zero-interest loans will be dependent on match funding and development milestones being achieved.

Individual micro-enterprises will be eligible for small grants and there will be local training and support to help with the application process. 

The competition window for local enterprises will launch early 2021.

Grants will range from:

  • US $250,000 to US $750,000 for the Private Sector Window
  • US $100,000 to US $750,000 for the Social Enterprise Window

Register for Launch Webinar - 10 Nov 2020

Register for the launch webinar for the first two competition windows – private sector and social enterprise windows.

  • Tuesday, 10 Nov 2020
  • 11AM - 12:30PM EAT
Click Here To Sign Up
South Sudan refugee Florence Idiongo (right) with a local vendor at the market in Kalobeyei settlement. Florence is benefiting from the Cash for Shelter scheme, in which refugees receive the cash to pay for the construction of their houses and other needs through regular bank accounts, furthering their financial inclusion with access to banking services. ; Since its inception in 2018, UNHCR has provided refugees in Kalobeyei settlement with cash for constructing durable and permanent shelters – part of the UN Refugee Agency’s Cash for Shelter initiative. The process aims to ensure safe and dignified housing while reducing dependency on humanitarian assistance, addressing protection concerns and aiding integration with the host community. The project also provides value for money as refugees build permanent shelters at up to 14 per cent lower costs than implementing partners. Refugees can build a compound of 12 or more shelters in an average of 22 days. This efficient use of funds allows refugees to spend the remaining money on home improvements or other basic needs, benefiting the local economy and improving social coexistence.