DREEM HUB

KCIC is implementing a Distributed Renewable Energy Ecosystem Model (DREEM) HUB and Spoke Model project in Kenya over a three years period, aimed at reducing Greenhouse gas emission that causes climate change by facilitating the increased adoption of solar energy for Productive purposes within Key agricultural value chains while enhancing community livelihood transformation through youths and women Agrisolar entrepreneurship development, skill development, deploying innovative financing and enhancing market access opportunities. KCIC is placing a call for applications to enrol Farmers cooperatives/groups operating in the dairy and horticulture value chains under the DREEM hub program. Selected participants will receive support ranging from access to finance, skills development, enterprise support& development, access to information and market access support. Applicants (Cooperatives/Farmers groups) from Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni and Laikipia can apply to join the DREEM Hub program.

Farmer cooperatives/ groups within the Dairy and Horticulture value chains located in the select four counties (Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni and Laikipia). •Be legally registered in Kenya and actively support youth and women Agri-solar entrepreneurs in the dairy and horticulture value chains. • Engage in dairy or horticulture production and value chain activities with active farmer membership including but not limited to: o Dairy: Milk Production, collection, handling, storage, processing, value addition etc. o Horticulture: Production, harvesting, aggregation, packaging, storage, handling, marketing, distribution, value addition etc. • Have at least 500 dairy farmers or 100 horticulture farmers as active members • Operate at least two collection centers/aggregation centers • Have been in operations for at least three years with a defined management structure. • Demonstrate financial solvency with a track record of successfully servicing affordable financial products. • Show a commitment to adopting solar energy for productive use. -Applicants in off-grid areas will be prioritized • Have Access to Land and Water: Applicants should have available land, registered in their name and irrigation needs suitable for solar powered solutions. • Demonstrate Market Readiness and Value Addition Potential: o Applicants engaged in value addition and post-harvest handling will be an added advantage o Applicants Located near profitable markets or have existing buyers but struggle with produce handling infrastructure will be prioritized (storage, transportation, or energy-related challenges) • Demonstrate Financial Readiness-Applicant MUST be willing to explore concessional loan financing offered under the DREEM hub program for solar adoption. NB: CBOs and self-help groups that meet the criteria are eligible to apply but MUST commit to transitioning into formally registered farmer cooperatives/groups with support from the DREEM Hub.

Applicants (Cooperatives/Farmers groups) fromIsiolo, Kitui, Makueni and Laikipia can apply to join the DREEM Hub program • Applications must be submitted online via the KCIC website portal or physically at: o KCIC Main office (3rd Floor, Strathmore Business School, Ole Sangale Road, Madaraka) P.O Box 49162-00100 Nairobi. o KCIC Meru Hub Office (Agriculture Training Centre -ATC Kaguru, Nkubu, Meru) P.O Box 49162-00100 Nairobi. • The Applicants must complete an application form by answering a series of mandatory questions. • Personal information supplied in the application form such as names, addresses and date of birth should be verifiable, and the applicant is solely responsible for informing KCIC of changes in current contact methods indicated in their application. • The Applicant must provide current correspondence address, email and telephone numbers and inform of any changes during the review and onboarding process. • Upon submission of the application form, an email will be sent to the Applicant or via the preferred contact method indicated in their application. • Once submitted, applications cannot be altered or amended. • Review of applications will commence immediately after participants applications have been received in our system. Shortlisting of applicants will take place following the close of the Application Window.

• The applications will be screened for eligibility. • The eligible applications will then be evaluated on a set of criteria.

• All applicants will receive an official response via email on their application determining whether they were successful or not. KCIC is not obligated to provide detailed feedback on unsuccessful applications. • Successful applicants will receive an email indicating terms of the program and proposed due diligence dates. • Unsuccessful applicants can contest the evaluation by submitting a formal request to KCIC within 14 days upon receiving the rejection email. • Due Diligence shall be carried out on the successful applicants to verify eligibility prior to any potential offer of a placement in the program. • Applications that do not meet all or some of the eligibility criteria will not be accepted. • If Applicants are offered a place in the program, they will be expected to execute a legal agreement with Kenya Climate Innovation Centre, by signing a Letter of Agreement, which will be sent to them via email. They will also be expected to collaborate with all DREEM hubs spoke partners to ensure the program achieves its objectives.