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On April 15th, KCDF, in partnership with KUJA, hosted an insightful webinar titled “Community-led Organising for Sustainable Development: The Case of KCDF.” The session delved into KCDF’s remarkable journey as a trailblazer in community philanthropy since its establishment in 1997.
The webinar began by tracing KCDF’s origins in 1995, when a group of six visionary individuals, disillusioned by conventional aid models that often-excluded local voices, sought new approaches to community development. These early discussions were grounded in a shared frustration with top-down development and a desire to create more inclusive, empowering mechanisms. Their vision laid the foundation for a philanthropic organisation to place communities at the centre of their development journey.
With critical support from the Ford Foundation and initial implementation under the umbrella of the Aga Khan Foundation, KCDF was officially launched in 1997. This strategic setup allowed the founders to leverage existing infrastructure while establishing a model uniquely attuned to local needs and aspirations.
During the session, Mr. Caesar Ngule, KCDF’s Programmes Director, reflected on the organisation’s evolution and reiterated its core mission: to serve and empower communities. He noted that with many international donors pulling out of Africa, including Kenya, it is increasingly important for stakeholders to recognise and harness the potential of local resources.
“We must empower communities to believe they have what it takes to drive their own development,” he emphasised.
Ms. Emilly Omudho, Team Lead for Natural Resources and Livelihoods, provided an overview of several impactful KCDF programmes, including:
- The Matching Grant Programme, which promotes co-investment and partnership with local actors.
- The Education Programme provides scholarships to deserving students from under-resourced communities.
- The Mentorship Programmes, which nurture the leadership potential of young people.
- The Change the Game Academy – a capacity-building initiative focused on strengthening local fundraising and community mobilisation efforts.
She also noted that these are just a few of the many programmes KCDF runs to build local resilience and capacity.
A standout moment during the webinar was a presentation by Ms. Sarah Martha, Executive Director of Dhamira Moja. This community-based organisation has been a KCDF partner for over five years. Sarah shared the inspiring journey of their growth and development, highlighting how KCDF’s support enabled them to expand their reach, deepen their impact, and emerge as an anchor organisation for the Community of Practice in Busia County.
The session served as a potent reminder that sustainable development is most effective when driven from within. KCDF’s enduring commitment to community-led philanthropy is a beacon of hope and a model for grassroots transformation across Kenya and beyond.
#CommunityFoundations #KCDFJourney #SustainableDevelopment #Communities
