2026 marks a major turning point for Kuja. After years of research, co-creation, and piloting, we’re preparing to roll out two transformative tools; KujaLink and KujaBuild that will change how local organisations across the Global South connect, collaborate, and secure funding.
Kuja was born from one simple truth: the people closest to the problems have always been closest to the solutions. Yet, for too long, local organisations have had the least access to the resources they need to drive change. With Kuja, this imbalance begins to shift.
Kuja’s Vision for 2026
Kuja is an African social enterprise powered by Adeso, a local organisation known for its work on localisation and shifting power in aid. Together, we are building a world where local organisations are visible, trusted, and fully resourced to lead sustainable change in their communities.
Through KujaLink and KujaBuild, Kuja is taking practical steps to make this vision real, helping organisations become both visible and funding ready.
KujaLink: Making Local Organisations Visible
Launching January 2026 (English, French, and Spanish)
Arabic rollout planned for January 2027
KujaLink is more than a networking platform, it’s a gateway to visibility, opportunity, and community. It brings together civil society organisations (CSOs), networks, donors, and partners in one digital space built for transparency and collaboration.
Key Features Coming in 2026
- Custom User Profiles: Tailored spaces for CSOs, networks, donors, and individuals to showcase their work and connect with others who share their mission.
- Verification Tiers: Three levels of legitimacy checks, from basic registration validation to peer and third-party verification, to build trust and credibility.
- AI-Powered Matching (July 2026):
- Grant Matching – Find opportunities that best fit your organisation’s size, focus, and eligibility.
- Grantee Matching – Donors can discover credible organisations that align with their goals.
- Resource Library: A curated learning space offering e-courses, templates, and practical tools developed by Kuja, our partners, and local experts.
- Networking Tools: Direct messaging, discussion forums, and robust search options designed to foster meaningful connections.
Why KujaLink Matters
In a world overflowing with information but short on trust, KujaLink helps local organisations stand out and be seen. It’s not just about listing your work; it’s about being discovered by funders and collaborators who believe in your impact.
For funders, KujaLink provides transparency and confidence, making it easier to find, vet, and support credible local partners.
KujaBuild: Making Local Organisations Ready for Funding
Rollout Begins January 2026
While KujaLink increases visibility, KujaBuild strengthens capacity. It’s a tech-driven solution designed to simplify the complex processes of compliance, donor reporting, and grant management, helping CSOs operate with efficiency and confidence.
Key Features Coming in 2026
- Capacity Assessment Tool (January 2026)
- Offers an instant first-glance score showing where your organisation stands in meeting donor requirements.
- A detailed summary provides tailored recommendations for strengthening your systems and improving eligibility for direct funding.
- Grants Management Software (ERP)
- Basic Suite (January 2026): Tools for donor management, accounting, and financial reporting.
- Premium Suite (March 2026): Adds asset management, procurement tracking, and payroll integration (December 2026).
- Premium+ Suite (May 2026): Adds project management modules, integrating programmatic and operational workflows.
- Outsourcing Services
- For organisations that need extra hands, KujaBuild partners with accredited service providers who can manage grant operations directly using KujaBuild software.
- Rollout begins in East Africa (January 2026) and West Africa (July 2026), with expansion to South Africa and Asia by early 2027.
Why KujaBuild Matters
Most local organisations lose out on funding not because they lack ideas, but because of administrative hurdles. KujaBuild levels that playing field. It combines automation, expert support, and localised design to make managing grants faster, simpler, and more affordable.
By 2026, local organisations will no longer need multiple tools for accounting, donor tracking, HR, and project management, KujaBuild brings it all together.
A Connected Ecosystem: How Link and Build Work Together
KujaLink and KujaBuild are designed to reinforce each other.
Organisations using KujaBuild will automatically have profiles on KujaLink, ensuring visibility for funders and simplifying onboarding for grant opportunities.
Meanwhile, those exploring opportunities on KujaLink can directly access the KujaBuild tools that strengthen their capacity to receive and manage those opportunities.
Together, they form a self-sustaining ecosystem where visibility drives opportunity, and capacity drives sustainability.
The 2026 Rollout: A Global Expansion
2026 is the year Kuja goes global.
Starting with a Kenya pilot in late 2025, Kuja will scale across East Africa, West Africa, and the Global South in phases, partnering with CSO networks, donor coalitions, and outsourcing firms to localise sales and support.
This growth will be powered by:
- Direct engagement with CSOs through marketing and in-country sales strategies.
- Resale partnerships with networks and business process outsourcing (BPO) providers.
- Donor collaborations where funders adopt KujaBuild across their grant portfolios or integrate the tool into grant budgets.
Kuja is also partnering with global networks such as the Network for Empowered Aid Response (NEAR), Movement for Community-Led Development (MCLD), Pledge for Change, and others to expand access and adoption.
The Bigger Picture
Kuja isn’t just building software; it’s reshaping how the world funds and values local leadership.
By the end of 2026:
- Local organisations across Africa, Latin America, and Asia will be using KujaLink to find new partnerships and funding.
- Dozens of funders will be managing grants directly through KujaBuild.
- Thousands of community-led projects will be visible to the world in ways they’ve never been before.
This is what localisation looks like in action: not a theory, but a tangible, data-driven shift in how power, trust, and funding flow.
Join the Movement
2026 is just the beginning.
If you believe in a future where funding flows directly to those driving change... join Kuja.
Be part of a new era for local organisations.
Learn more at www.kuja.org
Contact Elena Gillis at elena.gillis@kuja.org to explore partnership opportunities.