As the debate over decolonizing aid and power shifts intensifies, one organization in Kenya stands out as a real-life example of what sustainable community-led development can look like in practice.
In our recent webinar, “Community-led Sustainable Development Organizations: The Case of KCDF,” which was held on the 15th of April, 2025, we explored the history and model of the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) – a pioneer in community philanthropy and champion of locally rooted solutions for 25 years.
Since 1997, KCDF has been working to build capacity in communities across Kenya to empower them to take control of their own development. Their approach goes beyond traditional finance – emphasizing collective action, wealth building, and local fundraising as key pillars of sustainable change.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar:
Locally Rooted, Community-Owned Solutions
KCDF believes that real change happens when communities take the lead. Their approach goes beyond viewing people as beneficiaries—they are partners, co-creators, and decision-makers. This mindset builds a deeper sense of ownership, trust, and long-term resilience.Building Local Assets for Long-term Impact
By encouraging local giving and helping communities build their own endowment funds, KCDF is paving the way for lasting impact. It’s a powerful step toward reducing reliance on outside aid and ensuring communities can continue their progress—on their own terms.Partnerships that Respect Local Wisdom
KCDF’s partnerships are built on respect and the simple but powerful idea that people know what’s best for their own communities. They listen, learn, and walk alongside grassroots organizations, recognizing local knowledge as a strength, not a gap.Adaptability in Challenging Times
Whether it’s shifting political landscapes or the growing challenges of climate change, KCDF stays responsive and adaptable. Their work evolves with the realities communities face—never losing sight of what matters most.Inspiration for the Global South
KCDF’s story is a reminder that strong, self-reliant communities are not just possible—they’re already here. Their model is a source of inspiration for others across the Global South who are working to build systems that truly put people first.
Missed the conversation? Watch the full webinar here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb0QYq88MwM&t=4s&ab_channel=KUJA
Speakers:
Sarah Martha
Sarah Martha Anyika is a dedicated Community Development Advocate and the Executive Director of Dhamira Moja CBO, a grassroots organization in Busia Countys.
Passionate about partnerships and resource mobilization, she is a certified consultant in Local Fundraising and Resource Mobilization, trained by Wilde Ganzen (Change
The Game Academy) through KCDF. She is also a Lobby and Advocacy Champion with a niche in Gender Responsive Budgeting, advocating for equitable resource allocation to support sustainable community development.
With nine years of experience in community development work, Sarah champions inclusive development that empowers communities to shape their own future. Through her leadership, Dhamira Moja has fostered community-led solutions that drive sustainable development, strengthening grassroots efforts for long-term impact. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management.
Caesar Ngule
Current Programmes Director at Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF). With over 15 years of experience, Caesar Ngule is an expert in leading high-impact projects and programs.
He is specialized in Organizational Development, Community led Development approaches including facilitating sustainable access to basic services by communities, championing for an enabling environment for Civil Society, and promoting community centric philanthropy that shifts power to communities.
As a seasoned Trainer and Facilitator, Caesar is passionate about experiential learning, employing practical exercises that foster behavior and attitude change. He has held managerial
roles at Food for the Hungry International and Caritas Kenya, successfully designing and implementing health, education, and livelihood programs in diverse communities.
Caesar holds a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Leadership and Management in Community Development, and a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development.
Emily Omudho
Emily is a dedicated community development professional with over 14 years of experience in
designing and overseeing programs for vulnerable communities. She is the Team Leader for Community- Led Development at KCDF in Kenya where she also coordinates Change the Game Academy Program(CtGA). Emily is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and has extensive experience in program management, capacity strengthening, and partnership building.
She has overseen the execution of multi-year initiatives working in close partnerships with government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups to foster sustainable and inclusive development. She has experience using various development models, including Matching grant models, Village Savings and Loans methodologies and is a great champion of community philanthropy.
Emilly is pursuing a Master’s in Social Transformation with a Major in Sustainable Development and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Human Development.
As traditional aid models are increasingly questioned and ignored, countries in the Global South are forging a new path—one led by the people, for the people. On April 3, 2025, Kuja hosted a powerful and timely conversation titled “Community-Led Development That Works: A Spotlight on Haiti.” It featured two Haitian leaders with decades of experience in grassroots community-led development.
The conversation provided key insights into how local leadership, solidarity, mutual aid, and the circular economy can transform development in Haiti.
Watch the Full Webinar Recording on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKycMPeFS9c&ab_channel=KUJA
Key Takeaways
✅ Community-led development is not a buzzword—it is a proven path to resilience and autonomy.
Both speakers stressed that when communities set priorities and lead implementation, results are more sustainable and meaningful.
✅Endogenous development respects local knowledge and focuses on human dignity.
Both Jean-Patrick and L’Hérisson rejected top-down approaches that marginalize local knowledge and advocated for models that see communities as co-creators rather than beneficiaries.
✅ There is an urgent need to channel resources to local actors.
As the development aid sector continues to fragment, support for long-standing, locally rooted organizations is increasingly important. These groups already have the trust, infrastructure, and vision needed for long-term transformation.
✅ Haiti’s development model offers lessons for the entire Global South.
From biogas plants to community foundations, speakers’ work stressed that solutions already exist – what is needed now is global solidarity and investment in these models.
Speakers
Jean Patrick Lucien
With a background in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University and an MBA, Jean-Patrick has spent over 20 years as an Application Engineer at Siemens Corporation, where he applies his technical skills to solve complex global challenges.
Beyond his corporate career, Jean-Patrick plays a vital role in sustainable development initiatives in Haiti through the EDEM Foundation. His work focuses on education, economic development, and capacity building in Île-à-Vache and southern Haiti, where he owns and operates the Vacation Village Resort and the Village for Innovation, Technology, Education and Sport (VITES), contributing to local tourism and development. One of his key achievements is collaborating with the US Naval Academy to develop biodigesters—innovative systems that convert waste into methane gas for cooking and compost for agricultural use, aligning with Haiti’s sustainability and environmental goals. Currently, Jean-Patrick is leading the Safe Space Project in Haiti, which offers children access to campsites, school gardens, and safe learning environments. This project aims to nurture personal growth, safety, and education, while introducing children to sustainable practices through hands-on agricultural experiences.
L’Hérisson Hilaire
L’Hérisson Hilaire is a professional agronomist, specialist in plant production, agricultural entrepreneur. L'Hérisson joined the Fondation Communautaire Haïtienne-Espwa/The Haiti Community Foundation (FCH-Espwa) in November 2020 and is its current Executive Director. For more than four years, L’Hérisson has been deeply engaged in community philanthropy and endogenous development with FCH-Espwa in Haiti.
Impact of Funding Cuts in Benin
A conversation with community leaders and local aid professionals on the brutal impact on the sector and the need for structural change.
On March 20, 2025, Kuja hosted its first webinar on our newly launched site! Panelists Bio Yacoubou Bassirou, Moustaphaou Imorou, Djalidou Aboudou Salifou, and Kader Abdel Sabi Pate—local Benin activists and aid professionals—presented the brutal impact of the USAID funding freeze on Benin. Their firsthand insights shed light on how these cuts have affected communities.
When the Kuja team first spoke to the panelists, they were hopeful the funding stop would be temporary. However, by the time of the webinar, they had come to terms with the reality that their projects had been permanently eliminated. Like many local leaders across the Global South, they are now navigating the loss of stability and working to adjust despite the immense challenges.
The Impact on Benin
Francophone Africa is often overlooked in global aid, and Benin was already receiving limited funding—only $77 million from USAID in 2024. Additional support came from the United States African Development Fund (USADF) and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The Benin panelists shared how their past projects had directly impacted nearly four million people and indirectly influenced about 65% of the population. With the sudden withdrawal of U.S. aid, the consequences have been devastating across multiple sectors, from health and infrastructure to economic development and national security.
Bio, one of the panelists, described this as a “‘cascade effect,” warning of an impending national famine and extreme poverty. For local aid workers, the crisis is compounded by the lack of a safety net and the responsibility of supporting large families. Despite these setbacks, the panelists shared how they are actively seeking alternative funding sources and exploring in-country and African-based resources to sustain their work.
At the end of the discussion, Kader captured the sentiment of many Global South leaders facing funding uncertainty:
“It is time that each African wakes up and takes care of his own… Our allies from whom we had hoped support, cut their ties with us at a time when we needed them the most… We are planning the future with the resources that we can marshal, and we will do what we need to do little by little. Africans will work together to build Africa’s future.”
Kuja’s webinar underscored the resilience of local organizations and leaders. As aid dynamics continue to shift, these voices must remain at the forefront of conversations about sustainable solutions for the Global South.
Watch the Recording:
https://youtu.be/oSIEUWmD79s?si=4MBc10iTJCq5xyNo
Speakers:
Abdel Kader Sabi Pate:
Capacity Building and Management of Infrastructure and Equipment for SMEs: “with the USADF program” expert.
Agro-economist and project manager specializing in capacity building, innovation, and agricultural project management. Born on December 4, 1990, he has expertise in areas such as agroecology, agricultural advisory services, agricultural cluster value chain management, and environmental protection. He has worked on major projects, including with UNDP, USADF, and CORAF, where he contributed to the resilience of farming communities in the face of climate change and the development of financing strategies for climate-smart agriculture in West Africa.
Aboudou Djalidou Salifou:
Countering Violent Extremism & Natural Resources Management Specialist
Expert in project management, peacebuilding, and sustainable development, with over 10 years of experience in the NGO and humanitarian sectors. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Natural Resource Management. Specializing in social cohesion, youth and women's empowerment, and sustainable ecosystem management, he has successfully led strategic initiatives to promote the resilience of vulnerable communities. His commitment has led him to design, implement, and evaluate large-scale projects funded by renowned donors such as USAID, UNDP, and the World Bank.
Imorou Moustaphaou:
Specialist in Agroecology and Biodiversity Conservation
After his basic training in Agronomy (specialty: Management of forests and protected areas), Moustaphaou benefits from more than 10 years of practical experience in forest ecology, biodiversity preservation and resilient agriculture with a focus on social standards, having held several positions, the most recent of which is that of Expert in Ecology and Biodiversity with the company GINGER SOFRECO within the framework of “Consultant Services in Program Management and Social Environmental Management” under MCC funding.
M. Bio Yacoubou Bassirou:
Founder of Maison des Tortues, a Civil Society Network for Civil Society Organizations for the protection of the environment
A leading African activist, advisor and expert in conservation, community mobilization as well as in resource and organizational development, M. Bassirou is a Founding Member of Maison des Tortues, a network of civil society organizations focused on conservation and environmental protection