Ota Grants

Sanara is inspired by the Swahili words sanaa (arts) and biashara (business). This exciting inclusive program designed for young women and men across Kenya aims to enable access to dignified and fulfilling work in the creative and cultural industries.

Mastercard Foundation, in partnership with the consortium of HEVA, SNDBX-Ubuntu, Baraza Media Lab and GoDown Arts Centre, have launched this 3 year program to offer opportunities for financing, skilling, enterprise support, and adoption of sustainable practices that advance fair and safer working environments for creatives

OVERVIEW

Sanara has a target of reaching 110,000 young women and men aged between 18 and 35 with activities running in Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Turkana counties. Program activities are centred around:

  • Provision of tailored and inclusive finance for creative and cultural entrepreneurs via an ideation and incubation grant facility and responsive loan facilities 

  • Equipping young people with global market-relevant skilling programs for the creative and cultural industries (CCIs) 

  • Advancing the adoption of inclusive and sustainable practices that advance a safer working environment for young women and men through research, mapping  of available resources, capacity building, and systemic improvements

Call for Grant Proposals from Community Based Organisations - NOW CLOSED

To support the objectives of Sanara, we are seeking community based organisations (CBOs) in the Kakamega, Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Turkana counties which are primarily working in the CCIs OR utilising artistic/creative/cultural approaches in working with young women, people with disabilities and/or refugees. 


Successful applicants will receive a single grant of between  KES 2M - 6M over a 3-year implementation period to be utilised to cover CBOs ongoing costs and activities, as well as further resourcing them to implement direct activities supporting the Sanara program including:

  • Activities that raise local community awareness of the Sanara program

  • Mobilisation of young women and young men, people with disabilities and/or refugees for Sanara activities

  • Technical support for people applying for Sanara activities 

  • Offering central location and shared access to equipment for creative production 

  • Offering space for Sanara program events

Applicants with the following will be strongly considered:

  • Social welfare activities e.g child-care, food programs

  • Women-led, Youth-led, and Refugee-led organizations, Organizations of people with disabilities and CBOs with majority young women and men, refugees or people with disabilities in leadership positions will be strongly considered

  • Programmatic focus on target communities

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Your organization may apply for the grant if it meets the following criteria: 

Area of Focus:

The CBO must be primarily working in the CCIs in any of the following areas:

  • Fashion, Garments, and Accessories 

  • Film, Television, Content creation, Gaming and Audiovisual 

  • Live music, Theater and Performing Arts 

OR utilising artistic/creative/cultural approaches in their work with young women, people with disabilities and/or refugees. 

Your mission and activities should align with program goals, such as supporting creative industries, young women’s empowerment, job creation or social inclusion.

  • Activity: The CBO will need to show it has been and is currently operational in the local community and county 

  • Non-Profit Nature: The CBO must operate on a non-profit basis with surplus funds re-invested into activities.

  • Governance Structure: The CBO must be able to show it has a clear leadership structure including defined roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes. They must also demonstrate how finances are managed with transparency and accountability. 

  • Considerations: Women-led, Youth-led, and Refugee-led organizations, Organizations of people with disabilities and CBOs with majority young women and men, refugees or people with disabilities in leadership positions will be strongly considered.

  • Location: The CBO must have its primary location within Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa or Turkana counties. The CBO must have a physical premises in the target county 

  • Track Record & Community Support: Demonstrated success in community development or experience in the creative sector and endorsement or support from the community. Should have  references who can tell us about the CBO’s activities and impact in the community.

EXAMPLES OF GRANT USE CASES

You can use the grant for different things like:

  • Growing Your Organization: Opening new locations or hiring more people.

  • Buying Equipment: Getting new tools and software or making the ones you have better.

  • Getting More Supplies: Acquiring more inputs for your production process

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

Applicants who complete the application form will be notified that we have received their application. Please note we will require the following documents during the application:

    • At least 2 years audited Financial statements or management accounts (optional)

    • A filled in company profile (use only the template provided in the application form. Applications that don’t use the template will be disqualified)

    • A filled in budget (use only the template provided in the application form. Applications that don’t use the template will be disqualified)

Q&A Session: October 2024

HEVA hosted a virtual information session for prospective applicants. We responded to any unanswered questions about the application process, requirements, use of funds, facility support and the Sanara program.  A recording of the session is available on HEVA’s Youtube channel. Click here to watch now.

REVIEW PROCESS AND TIMELINE

First Review (October 2024)

This will result in a shortlist of eligible applications that have been reviewed by two panels, the initial sieve and the selection panel, which will evaluate the proposed approach, activities, and budget. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application after the first reviews are done.

Pitch Prep (November 2024)

Applicants who make it through the first review will be notified that they have been selected to prepare and present a direct pitch of their business and investment proposal. They will be provided with a pitch deck template to help them compile the information needed by the panel. Applicants will be given 1 week to prepare. 

Pitch Time (November 2024)

Pitching sessions happen. A further shortlist of stand-out CBOSs eligible for financing is compiled after the pitches.

Commitment letters are sent to all successful pitches, detailing the next processes of due diligence and financial modelling, which can proceed once the CBOs agree to the given terms.

Due Diligence  (November 2024)

Due diligence visits to applicants with successful pitches are made.

Financial Modelling (December 2024)

Applicants who make it through due diligence proceed into collaborative financial modelling meetings with the HEVA team.

Final Successful Applicants (December 2024)

The final list of successful applicants is made available, and letters of offer are written to the finalists.

FAQs AND PRIVACY POLICY

We have prepared an Ota Grants FAQ’s document. Click the button below to read it in case of any further enquiries email us on sanara@hevafund.com. Access the HEVA privacy policy here.

APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Sanara Funding Opportunities

See what opportunities are currently open for applications or coming soon

Ota Growth by Sanara

Ota Kopa by Sanara

Ota Kopa+ by Sanara

HASHTAGS TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

#YoungAfricaWorks

#SanaraKE

#CreativeAfrica

LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH

If you want to receive updates on how you can access funding, project incubation, mentorship, and invaluable resources that will fuel your growth and help you achieve your creative aspirations, join our mailing list and we’ll keep you posted.