What the Project Was About

The Co-operative Development Project in Kenya was implemented by NCBA CLUSA under the USAID Cooperative Development Program (CDP) to strengthen cooperative performance, governance, and enabling environments for cooperative growth. The project aimed to build strong, inclusive cooperative systems across Kenya.

Purpose and Objectives

• Strengthen cooperative capacity at organizational, member, and ecosystem levels
• Improve cooperative governance, management, and business performance
• Enhance the cooperative enabling environment, including legal and regulatory frameworks
• Support training, coaching, and peer learning for cooperatives and sector stakeholders

Key Activities

• Governance and business performance support for agricultural cooperatives and SACCOs
• Capacity building of cooperative support organisations such as CAK and county cooperative departments
• Legal and regulatory engagement to strengthen cooperative frameworks
• Peer-to-peer learning and member equity initiatives to improve inclusive participation
• Support for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms at county level

Geographic and Institutional Scope

The project worked across Kenya with cooperatives, SACCOs, CAK, county cooperative departments, and local cooperative support organisations, strengthening cooperative service provision, governance, and enabling environments.

Partners and Implementation

• Implemented by NCBA CLUSA under USAID CDP
• Collaborated with Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) for national-level support and advocacy
• County cooperative development offices and other cooperative support organisations
• Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) and professional cooperative bodies

Impact and Strategic Importance

• Improved cooperative governance and operational performance
• Strengthened cooperative enabling environment, including supportive laws and regulations
• Enhanced capacity of cooperatives to engage with markets and stakeholders effectively
• Promoted inclusive participation and gender equity in cooperative leadership and services