Financing Youth-Led Livestockand Agri-Food Enterprises in Kenya's ASALs
The CASHA Challenge Fund provides catalytic financing to eligible young women and men to start, strengthen, or grow enterprises in livestock and related agri-food value chains, contributing to incomes, resilience, and Dignified and Fulfilling Work.
USD 100-15K
Grant Range
15 Counties
Target Areas
3 Tiers
Funding Levels
In partnership with the following organizations:
Tier 1 Grant
USD 100-500
Pre-Incubation
Tier 2 Grant
USD 1K-5K
Incubation
Tier 3 Grant
USD 10K-15K
Acceleration
Target Counties
15
Across 4 clusters
About CASHA
Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya's ASALs
The CASHA Challenge Fund supports eligible young women and men in Kenya's ASALs to start, strengthen, and grow enterprises in livestock and related agri-food value chains. Through catalytic financing, the Fund aims to expand economic opportunity, increase incomes, and contribute to dignified and fulfilling work (DFW) in ASAL communities.
The Fund operates in 15 ASAL counties: Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Laikipia, Kajiado, Makueni, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Turkana, West Pokot, and Baringo.
Allocation priorities are 90% for young women, 5% for refugees, and 5% for persons with disabilities.
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 CriteriaBenefits of the Challenge Fund
Catalytic support that helps eligible youth-led enterprises start, strengthen, and grow
Access to Catalytic Grant Financing
Financing for eligible youth-led enterprises across different stages of business development.
Support for Productive Investment
Funding for inputs, equipment, and business activities linked to enterprise operations and growth.
Enterprise Growth and Resilience
Support to establish, strengthen, or expand enterprises in livestock and related agri-food value chains.
Inclusive Access to Funding
Allocation priorities are 90% for young women, 5% for refugees, and 5% for persons with disabilities.
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 with a unique identifier
Reside and operate within an eligible CASHA Challenge Fund County
Provide valid identification
Submit the official CASHA Challenge Fund application form through the recommended pipeline
Show evidence of participation in CASHA capacity building activities
Accept the Fund's terms and conditions, including consent, 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.
Priority Value Chains
Locally relevant, climate-resilient, and commercially viable enterprises with strong potential for inclusion and growth in ASAL communities
Fodder and Feed Production
Enterprises in fodder production, hay and silage making, feed concentrates, storage and bulking, planting materials, and small-scale feed milling and mixing.
Small Ruminants, Poultry, and Beekeeping
Goat and sheep rearing and fattening, poultry production, hatchery services, beekeeping, honey production, and value-added bee products such as wax and propolis.
Dairy and Animal Health Services
Milk collection, bulking and chilling, veterinary services, artificial insemination, breeding services, feed supplements, dairy input shops, and extension advisory services.
Livestock Product Aggregation and Processing
Enterprises in honey, milk, meat, hides and skins, as well as value addition, branding, packaging, aggregation, and market distribution.
Climate-Smart and Regenerative Enterprises
Water-efficient fodder systems, solar-powered processing, resilient breeds, and enterprise models that strengthen ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
The Application Process
The CASHA Challenge Fund is accessed through the CASHA partner network. The Fund runs at least three funding cycles per year.
Call for Applications
Calls are issued through the CASHA partner network.
Applicant Guidance
Eligible applicants receive support on eligibility, required documents, and the application process.
Application Submission
Applicants submit the required forms and supporting documents through the CASHA Grants Management Platform.
Award and Follow-Up
Successful applicants are notified and supported through award confirmation and follow-up processes.
Screening and Review
Applications go through eligibility screening and assessment before final decisions are made.
Call for Applications
Calls are issued through the CASHA partner network.
Applicant Guidance
Eligible applicants receive support on eligibility, required documents, and the application process.
Application Submission
Applicants submit the required forms and supporting documents through the CASHA Grants Management Platform.
Screening and Review
Applications go through eligibility screening and assessment before final decisions are made.
Award and Follow-Up
Successful applicants are notified and supported through award confirmation and follow-up processes.
At Least 3 Funding Cycles Per Year
Calls are announced through the CASHA programme pipeline.
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
No. The Fund is only open to registered CASHA programme participants and is accessed through the CASHA programme pipeline, not through a public application process.
Still have questions?
Contact our teamReady to Transform Your Enterprise?
Join eligible young women and men transforming Kenya's ASALs through livestock and agri-food enterprises. Apply for funding up to USD 15,000.