Kilifi County is one of Kenya’s poorest regions, with a poverty rate of 70.8% and contributing only 2.2% to the national economy. Most families earn less than USD 2 per day with an average of 5-7 children per household, creating severe constraints on basic needs and children’s education. Our research shows that due to poverty, 7 out of 10 learners in Kilifi do not progress to skilled vocational centers, 55% did not proceed to secondary school in 2024, and 79% of students miss 1 to 4 weeks of school annually due to lack of school fees. High youth dependency (61.8%) further strains households, as most young people are unemployed and unable to contribute economically. Despite these challenges, most women and youth possess viable business ideas, skills, and entrepreneurial potential, but lack capital, mentorship, and business management knowledge.
This project addresses these critical gaps by training women and youth in entrepreneurship, business planning, financial literacy, and savings culture, coupled with the provision of small start-up or expansion capital through a zero-interest revolving fund. By equipping beneficiaries with both knowledge and resources, they can generate sustainable income, enhance household livelihoods, and contribute to their children’s education through the EDU Kitty savings fund, which directly links economic empowerment to educational advancement.
The project begins with community mobilization and participant selection, targeting women and youth with viable business ideas and entrepreneurial potential through local structures . Selected participants will undergo a 3-month practical training program covering entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, and financial literacy, including cultivating a savings culture to support both business growth and children’s education through the EDU Kitty fund. After training, each participant will receive KES 15,000 (approx. USD 100) as seed capital from a zero-interest revolving fund to start or expand their businesses. The EDU Initiative Kenya team will provide monthly mentorship, follow-up, and monitoring to track progress, address challenges, and strengthen financial management skills. Participants will also be encouraged to form table banking groups to reinforce peer learning and ensure sustainability. Implementing partners include EDU Initiative Kenya as the lead organization, working with local women and youth groups, community mentors, and the county social service department to ensure local ownership. Financial literacy trainers will support capacity building. Sustainability is embedded in the design: the revolving fund allows capital to be repaid and reused, while the savings culture ensures continued business growth and education funding. Each empowered participant serves as a role model, inspiring others, while peer mentorship and knowledge hence multiplier effect
The project has been spreading through a combination of peer learning, community engagement, and the revolving fund model. Participants are encouraged to form table banking groups, sharing knowledge and mentoring new members, which naturally extends the reach of the program. As each participant applies the skills learned in training and demonstrates business growth, they become role models in their communities, inspiring others to join. The zero-interest revolving fund also allows seed capital to be repaid and reused for new participants, creating a sustainable cycle of empowerment. Partnerships with local community structures and the social service department ensure that the project continues to gain traction and reach more women and youth over time, fostering long-term, community-wide impact
We have enhanced our innovation by integrating the EDU Kitty fund into the existing revolving fund model. Initially, the focus was on providing seed capital, but we realized that combining financial support with skills development would create greater impact. We introduced a 3-month practical training program covering entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, and financial literacy, emphasizing the importance of savings through the EDU Kitty fund to support children’s education. Monthly mentorship and follow-up were added to help participants overcome challenges and strengthen financial management skills. Participants are encouraged to form table banking groups, reinforcing peer learning and sustainability. These modifications ensure that the project not only grows businesses but also fosters a culture of saving, education support, and community empowerment, creating a replicable and long-term innovation with a multiplier effect.
To try the project, interested individuals, particularly women and youth from vulnerable families, should first demonstrate commitment and potential by engaging in local community or savings groups. They can then apply to participate in the structured training program covering entrepreneurship, business planning, marketing, and financial literacy, including savings through the EDU Kitty fund to support business growth and children’s education. Acceptance is based on readiness and a viable business idea. Once selected, participants receive mentorship and seed capital from the zero-interest revolving fund to start or expand their businesses. They are expected to actively apply the skills, contribute to peer learning, and repay the seed capital so it can support others. Success requires consistent participation, accountability, and a willingness to share knowledge, ensuring personal growth and broader community impact.
