The Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) is a Government of Kenya funded programme aimed at cushioning Kenyans from the adverse economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The programme supports grassroots initiatives — nature-based enterprises such as beekeeping and tree seedling production — by vulnerable communities in 31 counties. It targets Community-Based Organizations, Water Resource Users' Associations, learning institutions, women groups, youth groups, Community Forest Associations, small cooperatives and MSMEs.
With the aim of accelerating the achievement of the National 10% Tree Cover Strategy, the objective of this programme is to create alternative livelihoods for communities through tree seedling production and nature-based enterprises.
The project is aligned, and contributes to, SDGs 1, 2, 11, 12, 13 and 15, and to the priority sectors of the key MEAs: UNFCCC, Biodiversity, Drought. Further, it helps realize the development agenda set out under the "Social and Economic Pillar" of the Kenyan Vision 2030 and the Big Four agenda.
Project Activities
- Identification and selection of community-based initiatives
- Provision of technical and financial support to selected initiatives
- Market linkages for supported initiatives
Project Accomplishments
- 66 groups supported in tree nursery establishment in 26 counties.
- 43 groups establishing nature-based enterprises (beehives) supported in 19 counties.
- 7,648,750 seedlings produced.
Budget: KES 100 million