Creating Shared Value in The Livestock Sectorwith Young People in Kenya's ASALs
The CASHA Challenge Fund supports young entrepreneurs to scale innovative solutions in livestock value chains across Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
USD 250-20K
Grant Range
15 Counties
Target Areas
3 Tiers
Funding Levels
In partnership with the following organizations:
Tier 1 Grant
USD 250
For emerging entrepreneurs
Tier 2 Grant
USD 1K-5K
For growing businesses
Tier 3 Grant
USD 10K-20K
For established enterprises
Target Counties
15
Across 4 clusters
About CASHA
Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya's ASALs
CASHA is a youth-focused initiative aimed at reducing economic exclusion and vulnerability in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
CASHA empowers young women and men to participate in resilient, market-oriented livestock value chains by breaking down barriers that prevent youth, especially young women, from accessing viable enterprise opportunities. The program integrates gender-responsive skills development, access to finance, market linkages, and enterprise support to help youth-led businesses grow, create jobs, and adapt to climate challenges.
At its core, CASHA adopts a climate-smart, inclusive approach that nurtures sustainable enterprises, shifts social norms, and strengthens local ecosystems, enabling young people to play a lasting role in the livestock economy.
Youth-Focused Mission
Reducing economic exclusion and vulnerability for young people in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands.
Gender-Responsive Support
Skills, finance access, market linkages, and enterprise support for youth-led businesses.
Climate-Smart & Inclusive
Sustainable enterprises, social norm shifts, and resilient local ecosystems.
Consortium Approach
Implemented by FAO, E4Impact, BOMA, ILRI, SNV, KLMC and affiliated BDS providers.
The CASHA Challenge Fund
A gender-responsive grant mechanism that provides catalytic financing to youth-led livestock enterprises, with clear eligibility criteria, tiered instruments, and transparent selection tailored to fragile ASAL contexts.
View Eligibility CriteriaWhat CASHA Offers Youth and Enterprises
Market-driven support that helps youth-led businesses grow, create jobs, and adapt to climate challenges
Market-Relevant Skills and Enterprise Capacity
Youth receive practical technical and entrepreneurial training tailored to livestock and allied sectors, with mentorship and business development support.
Access to Finance & Challenge Fund Support
CASHA partners with financial service providers to expand access to finance and provides catalytic grants through a gender-responsive Challenge Fund.
Market Linkages Across Priority Value Chains
Participants connect with buyers, aggregators, and market platforms across high-potential livestock and allied value chains.
Women's Empowerment and Enabling Social Norms
CASHA strengthens young women's leadership, voice, and agency while addressing restrictive gender norms with communities.
Climate-Smart Resilience and Innovation
Promotes climate-smart practices and county-level, gender-responsive adaptation strategies for long-term livelihood resilience.
Join 10,000+ Youth
Transforming Kenya's livestock sector
Are You Eligible?
Eligibility requirements and tier-based funding criteria
General Eligibility Requirements
Be a registered CASHA programme participant (Targets 1-8)
Reside and operate in eligible Challenge Fund counties
Provide valid identification (National ID, refugee card, or community verification)
Submit the official CASHA Challenge Fund application form, countersigned by a pipeline partner
Provide evidence of participation in CASHA capacity building
Accept all Challenge Fund terms, including safeguarding, monitoring, and compliance requirements
Tier-Based Funding Eligibility
Choose the tier that matches your enterprise stage.
- North Rift Cluster
- Turkana
- West Pokot
- Baringo
- Upper Eastern Cluster
- Marsabit
- Samburu
- Laikipia
- Isiolo
- Lower Eastern Cluster
- Makueni
- Kajiado
- Kitui
- Taita Taveta
- Northeastern Cluster
- Mandera
- Wajir
- Garissa
- Tana River
These are the CASHA target counties
Applicants must operate within any of the highlighted ASAL counties to qualify.
Group Applications
For group applications (Tier 2 & 3): The group must be formally registered and have a group transaction account. The proposed investment must be for a group business, benefiting the enterprise as a whole and not divided among individual members.
Value Chains We Support
High-potential livestock and allied value chains selected for income potential, climate resilience, and inclusive employment
Red Meat
High-potential red meat value chains suited to ASAL environments.
Feed and Fodder
Feed and fodder production to strengthen livestock productivity.
Poultry
Poultry production and allied services across the value chain.
Apiculture
Beekeeping, honey production, and related enterprise opportunities.
Gums and Resins
Harvesting and processing of gums and resins for ASAL livelihoods.
Agroforestry
Integrated tree and livestock systems for sustainable production.
Value Addition and Processing
Enterprise opportunities that add value and improve market readiness.
Aggregation and Circular Economy Services
Aggregation and circular livestock economy services that create jobs.
How the CASHA Challenge Fund Works
A transparent, evidence-based process tailored to your enterprise stage
Training, Mentorship, and Business Support
Participants receive training, mentorship, and business support through CASHA partners.
Tier-Specific Application Submission
Eligible applicants submit tier-specific forms endorsed by a pipeline partner.
Standardized Review and Rural Invest
Applications are reviewed using standardized tools and the Rural Invest methodology for evidence-based, transparent selection.
Ongoing Support and Learning
Grantees benefit from ongoing support, monitoring, and learning to strengthen enterprise performance and impact.
Catalytic Grant Support
Approved enterprises receive catalytic grant support tailored to their business stage.
Training, Mentorship, and Business Support
Participants receive training, mentorship, and business support through CASHA partners.
Tier-Specific Application Submission
Eligible applicants submit tier-specific forms endorsed by a pipeline partner.
Standardized Review and Rural Invest
Applications are reviewed using standardized tools and the Rural Invest methodology for evidence-based, transparent selection.
Catalytic Grant Support
Approved enterprises receive catalytic grant support tailored to their business stage.
Ongoing Support and Learning
Grantees benefit from ongoing support, monitoring, and learning to strengthen enterprise performance and impact.
Evidence-Based Selection
Reviews apply standardized tools and the Rural Invest methodology.
Our Partners
Working together to transform livestock value chains and empower youth across Kenya's ASALs
Food and Agriculture Organization
International Livestock Research Institute
Netherlands Development Organisation
The BOMA Project
E4Impact Africa Foundation
Kenya Livestock Marketing Council
Plus affiliated Business Development Service Providers (BDS) across all target counties
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the CASHA Challenge Fund
A gender-responsive grant mechanism providing catalytic financing to youth-led livestock enterprises at various growth stages.
Still have questions?
Contact our teamReady to Transform Your Enterprise?
Join the next generation of livestock value chain innovators transforming Kenya's ASALs. Apply for funding up to USD 20,000.