Kenya – A Sustainable Food Banking Strategy for methane mitigation

Overview

This project responds to a request made by Kenya’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry to establish a sustainable and scalable food banking system that addresses both environmental and social challenges.  

Kenya generates between 3,000 to 4,000 tons of waste per day; approximately 8  million tons annually of which 70% is organic waste (Min of Environment and Forestry,2021). The initiative introduces a structured approach to food recovery and redistribution, targeting surplus food from across the agricultural value chain. The goal is to prevent food waste, a significant contributor to methane emissions, and to enhance food and nutrition security for vulnerable populations, whilst contributing to national climate action through the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants such as methane.

The project focuses on aggregating edible surplus food and channelling it to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and Day Care Centers, particularly in underserved areas of the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), starting with Kisumu, Vihiga, and Siaya counties. These institutions are crucial for child development and present a controlled environment for delivering nutritious meals. In parallel, the project will conduct baseline assessments to map existing food banking initiatives, analyze the nutritional status of ECDE beneficiaries, and identify opportunities for policy support to integrate food banking into local governance frameworks.

Food waste is a significant contributor to methane emissions. By diverting organic waste from landfills and promoting food recovery, the project supports Kenya’s commitment to the Global Methane Pledge, and advances circular economy principles, reducing the environmental burden of waste while maximizing the social value of surplus food.  

The initiative will build on existing efforts such as those of the Global Food Banking Network and involve government, private sector, and community partners to ensure long-term viability.

Through a phased implementation strategy, the project will begin in three pilot counties and expand to 13 additional counties, with the ambition of scaling nationally. A dedicated monitoring and evaluation framework will track progress on food waste reduction, methane mitigation, and child nutrition outcomes. This project will lead to a more resilient, inclusive, and low-emissions food system in Kenya—one that nourishes both people and the planet.

The proposed project should build on CCAC-funded project ‘Kenya - National planning on short-lived climate pollutants’.  

Who to involve

• Ministry of Environment, Climate and Forestry
• Ministry of Education (National and County)
• Ministry of Health (national and County)
• Department of health through the community Health services, Social services and other relevant agencies  
• County Governments
• ECDE Centers
• Day care centers
• Food chain investors ( Wholesale markets, retail markets, restaurants, Hotels, Farmers)
• Leaders of Beach Management Units  
• Local NGOs and CBOs
• Industries ( Fresh water suppliers)
• Food processors  
• Biogas plant technicians 

Expected results

Outcome 1: The Government of Kenya has increased knowledge and capacity on opportunities for organic waste diversion, agriculture recovery and food sharing opportunities by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of government entities with a demonstrated improved capacity for SLCP action

• Output 1.1: Pre-feasibility studies for organic waste treatment and diversion options for food to be sourced as donations in 14 counties, including:
• Output 1.2: Estimates of decentralized infrastructure supporting diverted organic waste
• Output 1.3: Recommendations for alternative/complementary infrastructure to support organic waste diversion and circular economies.
• Output 1.4: A report identifying necessary infrastructure and investment to support organic waste management (i.e. redistribution of food that otherwise would be discarded to people in need.)
• Output 1.5: Capacity Building Workshops for stakeholders working on organic waste management for food recovery
  • Training on the comprehension, analysis, development, and monitoring of projects in organic waste management. Include teaching of tools for cost-benefit analysis (private and social), including the quantification of CO2 and SLCPs emission mitigation and how to design and evaluate the implementation of organic waste initiatives.
  • Develop training materials, manuals, and case studies tailored to Kenya's context , different stakeholders and a specific focus on the identified food recovery projects.
  • Development of project communication materials to disseminate results and share lessons learned.
• Output 1.6: Technical Assistance for stakeholders working on organic waste management for food recovery
  • Provide technical assistance to government entities for the implementation of SLCP reduction measures
  • Facilitate knowledge-sharing platforms, online forums, and webinars among government entities and other stakeholders  to share experiences and challenges.
  • Establishment of collaborative partnerships for food waste collection and sorting systems as crucial for the effective management and reduction of food waste.  
  • Identify and engage relevant stakeholders who can contribute to or benefit from food waste collection and sorting systems. Key stakeholders may include local governments, waste management agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and food producers. Effective collaboration is key to co-creating a sustainable and comprehensive solution to this challenge.

Outcome 2: Kenya County governments are guided by newly developed regulatory frameworks and implementation guidelines to achieve organic waste management goals through food banking by the end of the project.

Indicator: Number of laws, regulations, or other policy mechanisms with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed, and/or implemented  

• Output 2.1: Regulations that guide county governments to meet organic waste management goals in alignment with the national and international commitments.
• Output 2.2:  Training sessions on Food Banking and how it improves methane mitigation conducted for all relevant stakeholders: staff, volunteers, schools, ECDE groups and community members.  

Outcome 3: The Government of Kenya endorses Food banking and Agriculture recovery demonstration projects for food recovery by the end of the project or soon after.

Indicator: Number of SLCP mitigation tools, technologies, or practices adopted.

• Output 3.1: Identification of at least 5 Food banking projects, backed by existing framework such as the FRAME methodology to quantify methane emission impact, with business potential, with a focus on methane mitigation. The identification should be based on an assessment of:
  • Project name  
  • Sector  
  • Description  
  • Outcomes  
  • Implementing entities
  • Stakeholders  
  • Link to policies, plans  
  • General timeline for Development, Financing,  
  • Implementation, and  Operation  
  • Mitigation potential  
  • Co-benefits  
  • Investment needs  
  • Potential business model, financing strategy
  • Gaps and barriers to implementation and proposed enabling mechanisms
  • Financial sustainability
  • Potential financing partners  
  • Enabling, Capacity Building and Technical Assistance Needs  
  • Information and MRV Needs  
  • Recovery of nutritious food waste  
• Output 3.2: Stakeholders convened and engaged on selection of at least 5 food recovery projects/ initiatives to identify financial opportunities.
• Output 3.3: Design a plan to support at least 5 selected projects in coordination with public and private institutions. This plan should include the identifications for financial opportunities.
• Output 3.4: Workshop delivered to key stakeholders, from the financial sector, local and national governments, private sector to identify ways to make financial instruments available to finance organic waste management projects (i.e. food recovery projects).  

Outcome 4: Counties and municipalities endorse a roadmap for food banking, based on workshop findings, to establish financial instruments within the financial sector by the end of the project.  

Indicator: Number of action plans, roadmaps, strategies, or other future plans with SLCP targets or mitigation measures formally adopted, endorsed and/or implemented

• Output 4.1: Evaluation and analysis of policies to mitigate Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) from organic waste and prioritize actions for their implementation in the short, medium, and long term. The evaluation and analysis should include:
  • Evaluation of potential measures and policies to mitigate SLCPs from organic waste.
  • Prioritization of policy actions based on speed and impact, for immediate and long-term implementation, taking into account the following:
  • Short- and long-term priorities based on speed, impact
  • Recommended policy interventions
  • Estimated cost
  • Responsible parties
  • Progress indicators and monitoring approaches
  • Development of a resource mobilization plan identifying possible international and national funding sources to effectively implement the national organic waste management strategy
  • Short- and long-term priorities based on speed, impact.
  • Recommended policy interventions
  • Estimated cost
  • Responsible parties
  • Progress indicators and monitoring approaches
  • Development of a resource mobilisation plan identifying possible international and national funding sources to effectively implement the national organic waste management strategy
• Output 4.2: A roadmap for financial instruments in organic waste management. The roadmap should include:
  • Identification and assessment of financial instruments
  • A roadmap that suits the specific needs and characteristics of the food recovery projects identified for Kenta, ensuring that they address key challenges, findings and opportunities identified during the evaluation process
• Output 4.3: Strategies for at least 10 municipalities to reduce emissions from organic waste from Food Loss with specific goals and implementation as well as financial plans to achieve the goals.
• Output 4.4: Detailed implementation plans developed for three county-level food banking projects in Kisumu, Vihiga, and Siaya, including stakeholder engagement strategies, food recovery and distribution systems, infrastructure and logistics requirements, regulatory alignment, monitoring frameworks, and budgeted action plans to guide rollout and scale-up.
• Output 4.5: Event(s) to promote synergies among public-private institutions, get to know technologies and suppliers in to contribute to the implementation of waste management projects.

APPLICATION PROCESs

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for consideration, project proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Complete and submitted before the deadline
• Submitted by a non-governmental organization (NGO), intergovernmental organization (IGO), or other not-for-profit entity.
• Requested funding is within the estimated budget amount, or includes a clear justification for additional expenses
• Project duration is less than 24 months
• Budget criteria are met and spending caps on expenses are respected.
• Please note that entities will be required to provide the last three (3) audited financial statements to be eligible for CCAC funding. These statements may be provided along with the application for funding or at the request of the CCAC Secretariat during the evaluation process.

For-profit entities may only participate in the project as stakeholders, co-funders, or end users. Applicants are encouraged to include for-profit entities in the development of the project proposal and/or during project implementation if their ownership of the proposed solution is key to the project’s success.  

How to apply

Eligible applicants are invited to apply using the Application Form and Excel Budget Form. Specific instructions on completing these forms are available in both documents.

Applicants may choose to follow the cost range proposed above OR propose a different budget supported by a clear justification. However, applicants should note that cost efficiency will play a significant role in the selection process.

The completed Application Form and Excel Budget Form should be submitted to secretariat [at] ccacoalition.org.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Presents a clear plan to achieve the required outcomes during the lifetime of the project or soon after
• Includes a plan or activities to enable the scaling up of, replication of, or sustained use of project results over time
• Sets out a clear approach for enabling or contributing to SLCP emissions reductions and resulting co-benefits
• Involves relevant stakeholders
• Approach is grounded in a strong understanding of relevant risks
• Complements other relevant initiatives, funding mechanisms, and existing policy processes
• Applicant demonstrates necessary capacity and experience to perform the work
• A realistic, cost-effective, and clearly justified budget and approach is proposed
• Project meets the minimum requirements for the OECD DAC gender equality marker Score 1
   
  Selection process
• A preliminary review of proposals submitted by the deadline will be conducted by members of the CCAC Secretariat, Funding Task Team, and Board, in consultation with relevant CCAC Partners.
• Shortlisted applicants will be invited to present their proposals in further detail and to respond to follow-up questions about their application.
• Successful applicants will be invited to develop a Project Implementation Plan and Detailed Budget in consultation with the CCAC Secretariat and relevant CCAC Partners.
• The selection process may take up to 6 months after the closing date of the call for proposals. Due to the high volume of requests, the CCAC will not respond to requests for updates or feedback during this time.

Due diligence and procurement

Due diligence  

CCAC implementers with UNEP contractual agreements must meet with the following requirements:   

• Have adequate financial resources to perform the contract and meet all existing commitments (financial health)
• Be able to provide proof of registration, proof of not-for-profit status and audited financial statements for the last three completed fiscal years  
• Have a record of satisfactory performance with UNEP/CCAC, when applicable; and  - Not have been suspended or debarred by UNEP/CCAC or another UN agency. UNEP/CCAC also considers entities included in the Security Council Resolution Lists to be ineligible for UNEP/CCAC agreements. 
  * (inter)governmental entities/ United Nations are exempt from this requirement

Contract requirements

If selected for funding, your project will be contracted through the United Nations. Organisation(s) selected to implement the project must meet the following due diligence and procurement rules.

Procurement

As a general rule, Implementation Agreements allow for incidental procurement only.