Founded by the European Union and the Kenyan Government, the Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust (MESPT) is a Kenyan organization that has been in operation since 2003. It offers integrated (financial and non financial services), to the micro, small and medium enterprise sectors in Kenya.
The objective of MESPT is to promote economic growth, employment creation and poverty alleviation through support to enterprises. The programme achieves this through intermediaries, who provide institutional support and capacity building, financial as well as business development services to improve the performance of enterprises (MSME, farmer groups and associations). The programme’s main aim is to strengthen intermediaries in order to establish a strong, stable, market-based microfinance and BDS sectors in Kenya.
MESPT has entered into a five year funding partnership with the Royal Danish Embassy to upscale and ensure the sustainability of the BSPS programme. It is seeking matching grant concept notes from organizations that work directly with producers or agro-based MSMES to address business/enterprise/market constraints along Horticultural, Fisheries or Dairy Value Chains.
In the Horticulture subsector, MESPT is seeking focused concept papers on; Seed Multiplication and Distribution, Pests and Disease Control, Horticultural Produce Safety and Quality Management, Produce Bulking and Strengthening of Horticultural Marketing hubs, Value Addition and Food Preservation, and Market Linkages Development (market access).
Target geographical areas are Tharaka-Nithi County, Nyandarua County, Bungoma County, Siaya County, Kisii County, Homabay County, Nakuru County, Embu County, Kirinyaga County and Uasin Gishu County.
The deadline for submission of the concept papers shall be 30th June 2012 and successful applicants shall be contacted within 30 days from this date and asked to submit a full matching grant funding proposal.
For more information and guidelines regarding the call, log on to; www.mespt.org and www.microfinancetrust.org
