Kenya is among 22 African countries covered by a new World Bank-backed initiative providing up to KSh434 million to strengthen civil society participation in health policy and financing.
The GFF × CIVIC VOICES program will support advocacy for domestic resources to meet the health and nutrition needs of women, children and adolescents.
According to a World Bank statement issued on September 17, eligible countries include Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone.
The initiative is being implemented by Voices Organising for Inclusive Civic Engagement and Sustainability (VOICES), a consortium led by PATH alongside the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) and the Organisation of African Youth (OAY).
“The VOICES consortium will award subgrants to local CSOs and youth-led organizations in up to 22 African countries of up to USD 3,350,000 in financial support,” GFF x CIVIC VOICES noted.
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for the funds, Kenyan applicants must form partnerships of two to three local organizations, with at least one being youth-led.
Additionally, the World Bank has opened the opportunity for civil society organizations, youth-led organizations, and community-based organizations that meet the program’s registration and experience requirements.
The lead organization applying for the funds must demonstrate at least five years of experience in health financing advocacy and accountability related to reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition.
In contrast, partner organizations require at least three years of relevant advocacy experience.
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How to Apply for the World Bank Funding
Applicants must prepare a technical proposal and budget using the templates provided under the call.
They must also provide proof of legal registration for the participating organizations and other documents required under the application guidelines.
According to the bank, all proposals must be submitted in English, French or Portuguese.
The application attachments should follow the prescribed formats, and the total size of attachments should not exceed 150 MB.
Applicants will receive an automated response confirming receipt of their submission.
Applications must be submitted to [email protected] by Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. East Africa Time for evaluation by the bank.
After successful submission and review, we expect to announce the selected country partnerships by November 30, 2026.
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What the Funding Covers
Successful partnerships can receive support for up to 18 months. The program will cover activities such as health budget analysis, tracking government commitments, policy engagement, public participation, and strengthening coordination among civil society and youth groups.
“Each successful partnership will receive up to 18-month grants, along with advocacy training, budget analysis technical assistance, and mentorship,” the World Bank explained.
Kenyan proposals are also expected to include national or county-level advocacy, reflecting the country’s devolved health system.
However, the World Bank clarified that the funding does not target direct delivery of health services.
Instead, it is intended to strengthen the ability of local organizations to engage government and influence decisions on health financing.
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