Our Journey
Our History
A legacy of localising capacity development
USTADI Foundation (from the Swahili word USTADI, meaning 'skilful') was established to promote professional capacity development as the core of enterprise growth rather than an add-on. Since 2011, we have evolved from a multi-institutional consortium into a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Trust, reaching over 500,000 rural households across Kenya.
Our Origins & Legal Evolution
Establishment
USTADI was established in 2011 by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), HIVOS, and a consortium of 21 local capacity development institutions. The initiative set out to build a coalition of change across the private sector, civil society, government, and financial service providers to strengthen sub-national (rural) capacity development markets.
Registration
To solidify its long-term national mandate, USTADI was registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2012 and formally registered as a Trust in 2014. This established USTADI's two-pronged governance structure, led by a Board of Trustees and a Board of Directors.
Our Journey
Key Milestones & Project Portfolio
Founding Facility
Launched the Localization of Demand-Driven Professional Capacity Development project with SNV and HIVOS, laying the foundation for USTADI's market facilitation model.
View projectFounding Facility
Launched the Localization of Demand-Driven Professional Capacity Development project with SNV and HIVOS, laying the foundation for USTADI's market facilitation model.
View projectAgro-Enterprise Expansion
Implemented HIVOS-funded capacity development and market facilitation across Migori (pineapples), Homa Bay (pineapples), Kilifi (chilli farming with Equator Kenya Limited), and Kwale (seaweed production and marketing) counties.
View projectAgro-Enterprise Expansion
Implemented HIVOS-funded capacity development and market facilitation across Migori (pineapples), Homa Bay (pineapples), Kilifi (chilli farming with Equator Kenya Limited), and Kwale (seaweed production and marketing) counties.
View projectSeaweed & Fish Farming
Upscaled seaweed farming and fresh marine fish marketing in Kwale and Kilifi.
View projectSeaweed & Fish Farming
Upscaled seaweed farming and fresh marine fish marketing in Kwale and Kilifi.
View projectClimate Change & Adaptation
Implemented the Kilifi Integrated Climate Change and Adaptation Project (KICCAP).
View projectClimate Change & Adaptation
Implemented the Kilifi Integrated Climate Change and Adaptation Project (KICCAP).
View projectYouth-to-Youth Fund (Y2YF)
Selected by the ILO to manage the Y2Y Fund in Kenya. The programme supported 34 youth-led organisations, creating 1,171 jobs and 681 new businesses nationwide.
View projectYouth-to-Youth Fund (Y2YF)
Selected by the ILO to manage the Y2Y Fund in Kenya. The programme supported 34 youth-led organisations, creating 1,171 jobs and 681 new businesses nationwide.
View projectKenya Semi-Arid Livestock Enhancement Support (K-SALES)
Partnered with Land O'Lakes on the K-SALES project to boost semi-arid livestock value chains in Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, and Embu counties.
View projectKenya Semi-Arid Livestock Enhancement Support (K-SALES)
Partnered with Land O'Lakes on the K-SALES project to boost semi-arid livestock value chains in Machakos, Kitui, Makueni, and Embu counties.
View projectCashew Production & Marketing
Supported by the Walmart Foundation through Self Help Africa to expand cashew production and increase women's income in Kilifi.
View projectCashew Production & Marketing
Supported by the Walmart Foundation through Self Help Africa to expand cashew production and increase women's income in Kilifi.
View projectCivil Society Capacity Development
Led the Global South pilot programme supported by ORGUT Consulting, providing capacity building, advocacy, and grant management support to 23 CSOs across Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nyanza.
View projectCivil Society Capacity Development
Led the Global South pilot programme supported by ORGUT Consulting, providing capacity building, advocacy, and grant management support to 23 CSOs across Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nyanza.
View projectWater & Sanitation Initiatives
Implemented low-cost water and sanitation initiatives at the community level through the Afya Pwani WaSH project in Kilifi, funded by Pathfinder International.
View projectWater & Sanitation Initiatives
Implemented low-cost water and sanitation initiatives at the community level through the Afya Pwani WaSH project in Kilifi, funded by Pathfinder International.
View projectCassava Value Chain Competitiveness
Implemented a 4.5-year cassava value chain project reaching over 10,000 smallholder farmers in Kilifi and Kitui counties, funded by the European Union through Self Help Africa.
View projectCassava Value Chain Competitiveness
Implemented a 4.5-year cassava value chain project reaching over 10,000 smallholder farmers in Kilifi and Kitui counties, funded by the European Union through Self Help Africa.
View projectYouth Economic Empowerment Through Agribusiness (VIJABIZ)
Secured $2.1 million from IFAD and CTA to launch VIJABIZ, supporting 173 youth agribusiness groups (48 in Kilifi and 125 in Nakuru) and awarding direct grants to 72 agri-enterprises.
View projectYouth Economic Empowerment Through Agribusiness (VIJABIZ)
Secured $2.1 million from IFAD and CTA to launch VIJABIZ, supporting 173 youth agribusiness groups (48 in Kilifi and 125 in Nakuru) and awarding direct grants to 72 agri-enterprises.
View projectPost-COVID Resilience
Partnered with USADF to build resilience and cushion enterprises supported during the VIJABIZ project against the COVID-19 pandemic.
View projectPost-COVID Resilience
Partnered with USADF to build resilience and cushion enterprises supported during the VIJABIZ project against the COVID-19 pandemic.
View projectTechnology Upscaling
Partnered with EU and KALRO to scale up agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers in the mango, cashew, and fish (aquaculture and mariculture) value chains in Kilifi County.
View projectTechnology Upscaling
Partnered with EU and KALRO to scale up agricultural technologies for smallholder farmers in the mango, cashew, and fish (aquaculture and mariculture) value chains in Kilifi County.
View projectSoy Production
Partnered with EU and AGRIFI on the SOYPAM project to strengthen soy production.
View projectSoy Production
Partnered with EU and AGRIFI on the SOYPAM project to strengthen soy production.
View projectEnvironmental Management for Jobs & Income (EMAJIC)
Implemented in partnership with ChildFund Kenya and funded by BMZ Germany. The project contributed to more effective and efficient waste management, a healthier natural environment, and improved livelihoods for women and youth working in the waste recycling sector in Kasarani Sub-County, Nairobi County. The objective was to improve efficiency in solid waste management, hygiene, health, and livelihoods for 700 beneficiaries (60% youth and 40% women) who are unemployed and socially and economically disadvantaged.
View projectEnvironmental Management for Jobs & Income (EMAJIC)
Implemented in partnership with ChildFund Kenya and funded by BMZ Germany. The project contributed to more effective and efficient waste management, a healthier natural environment, and improved livelihoods for women and youth working in the waste recycling sector in Kasarani Sub-County, Nairobi County. The objective was to improve efficiency in solid waste management, hygiene, health, and livelihoods for 700 beneficiaries (60% youth and 40% women) who are unemployed and socially and economically disadvantaged.
View projectIntegrated Agribusiness Hubs (JOY Project)
Launched the IFAD, Procasur, ILO, and USTADI-funded JOY (Jobs Open For The Youth) Project Phase 1 ($1.25M), establishing integrated agribusiness hubs in Kilifi, Kakamega, and Nakuru counties.
View projectIntegrated Agribusiness Hubs (JOY Project)
Launched the IFAD, Procasur, ILO, and USTADI-funded JOY (Jobs Open For The Youth) Project Phase 1 ($1.25M), establishing integrated agribusiness hubs in Kilifi, Kakamega, and Nakuru counties.
View projectBlueBiz
Funded by the Mastercard Foundation through TechnoServe. The project enhances the socio-economic sustenance of youth by supporting specific Blue Economy value chains. It targets marine and aquatic development through tilapia and shrimp farming, fish feed creation, and seaweed cultivation, while also promoting artisanal craft sales and environmental conservation through mangrove restoration. Additionally, it incorporates land-based production ventures including livestock farming, honey production, mango drying, and the cultivation of cashew, coconut, and cassava.
View projectBlueBiz
Funded by the Mastercard Foundation through TechnoServe. The project enhances the socio-economic sustenance of youth by supporting specific Blue Economy value chains. It targets marine and aquatic development through tilapia and shrimp farming, fish feed creation, and seaweed cultivation, while also promoting artisanal craft sales and environmental conservation through mangrove restoration. Additionally, it incorporates land-based production ventures including livestock farming, honey production, mango drying, and the cultivation of cashew, coconut, and cassava.
View projectGSMESKILL — VET Entrepreneurial Green Mindset
Launched a 36-month Erasmus+ Capacity Building in VET project strengthening links between VET systems and labour markets in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. USTADI led Kenya-focused research, policy advisory groups, and Awareness Days on inclusive VET policy recommendations.
View projectGSMESKILL — VET Entrepreneurial Green Mindset
Launched a 36-month Erasmus+ Capacity Building in VET project strengthening links between VET systems and labour markets in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. USTADI led Kenya-focused research, policy advisory groups, and Awareness Days on inclusive VET policy recommendations.
View projectWEZESHA 3
A transformative youth empowerment initiative funded by the Safaricom Foundation in partnership with USTADI Foundation and the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), designed to promote agribusiness, innovation, and sustainability in Busia County.
View projectWEZESHA 3
A transformative youth empowerment initiative funded by the Safaricom Foundation in partnership with USTADI Foundation and the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), designed to promote agribusiness, innovation, and sustainability in Busia County.
View projectFAO Fisheries Technical Assistance
Commenced technical assistance to improve the functional capacity of small-scale fishers and the profitability of targeted fisher communities in Kwale and Lamu counties. Funded by FAO through AFRACA, with USTADI as implementing partner.
View projectFAO Fisheries Technical Assistance
Commenced technical assistance to improve the functional capacity of small-scale fishers and the profitability of targeted fisher communities in Kwale and Lamu counties. Funded by FAO through AFRACA, with USTADI as implementing partner.
View projectBe Part of Our Next Chapter
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