Food systems analysis in 14 counties under the green finance for youth employment (GFYE) project Full Time

Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya) is an independent trust focused on creating a financial system that supports a green and inclusive digital economy, especially for women and micro and small enterprises (MSEs). It works with public and private sectors to develop financial solutions for low-income households and underserved populations. The organization is funded by agencies including the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sida, and IFAD.

FSD Kenya is an implementing partner of the Green Finance for Youth Employment (GFYE) Project, a five-year initiative (2023–2027) funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, in collaboration with the National Treasury of Kenya and IFAD. The project aims to generate decent jobs for rural youth in Kenya through green value chains by easing financial constraints that hinder private sector investment and youth employment. The core goal is to improve rural youth incomes by supporting sustainable green livelihoods and enabling access to financing for youth-led or youth-employing enterprises.

Targeting rural youth aged 18–35, with at least 50% being women, the GFYE Project operates across 14 Kenyan counties: Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Nakuru, Kisii, Siaya, Nandi, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia. The project has three components:

1. Scalable Green Business Models and Products for Youth: Identifies sustainable and scalable business models in the food system that can be leveraged by young people, with a focus on financial products tailored to their needs.
2. Capacity Building for Green Investments: Enhances the capabilities of young entrepreneurs and MSMEs to access and manage green financing. It also builds the capacity of rural financial institutions like SACCOs and microfinance banks.
3. De-risking Mechanisms: Involves piloting a Youth Green Loan Product through the National Treasury to reduce lending risks and increase financing to the target groups.

FSD Kenya is responsible for implementing Component 1 and is seeking a consultancy firm to conduct a food systems analysis across the 14 counties. The objective is to identify sustainable, scalable, and financially viable employment and business opportunities for youth within food value chains.

The scope of work includes:

• Designing diagnostic tools with indicators to assess opportunities in food systems.
• Mapping food systems through qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Assessing food supply chains, stakeholders, environmental drivers, policy frameworks, and cross-cutting issues (e.g., gender, youth, disability).
• Conducting thematic assessments to evaluate youth-led businesses, financial institutions, support organizations, and business development gaps.
• Engaging stakeholders in workshops for consultation and validation.
• Delivering reports that identify key opportunities, profile youth-led enterprises, and outline support and financing mechanisms.

The consultant will report to FSD Kenya and collaborate with other GFYE partners. Deliverables include an inception report with a methodology and work plan, an interim report, and a final report incorporating stakeholder feedback.

This consultancy is pivotal to guiding the planning and implementation of the remaining project components, particularly around youth empowerment, enterprise support, and financial inclusion in Kenya’s food systems.

Tagged as: FSD Kenya, Kenya