Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Expression of Interest – Mandera Region Partnerships (Kenya): Apply By 4 May 2026

The Expression of Interest (EOI) is issued by Danish Refugee Council, a leading global organisation specialising in displacement and humanitarian response. The call invites local organisations in Kenya to partner in delivering integrated programmes across the Mandera region.

The initiative focuses on strengthening community resilience through interventions in Economic Recovery, WASH, Protection, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP).

Organisational Background

Danish Refugee Council operates in over 40 countries, supporting refugees and displacement-affected populations. It has been active in Kenya since 2010 and plays a major role in refugee response as a key implementing partner of UNHCR.

In the Mandera region, DRC has worked since 2015 on resilience, peacebuilding, and cross-border programmes.

Context: Mandera Region

Mandera County faces multiple overlapping challenges, including:

• Arid and semi-arid climate conditions
• Recurrent drought and food insecurity
• Limited access to water, healthcare, and education
• High poverty and unemployment levels
• Insecurity linked to cross-border tensions
• Environmental degradation and resource conflicts

These factors contribute to fragile livelihoods and highlight the need for integrated, community-driven interventions.

Purpose of the Partnership

The EOI seeks to identify local NGOs and community-based organisations (CBOs) to co-implement programmes aligned with DRC’s localisation strategy.

The partnership aims to:

• Strengthen locally led solutions
• Enhance community ownership
• Deliver context-specific interventions
• Build long-term resilience and sustainability

Key Thematic Areas

Applicants may apply for a maximum of two sectors from the following:

Economic Recovery

Focuses on enabling households to achieve sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance through:

• Cash assistance (MPCA)
• Business grants and entrepreneurship support
• Skills development and market linkages
• Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA)
• Climate-smart agriculture and financial inclusion

WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)

Aims to improve access to essential services through:

• Rehabilitation of water infrastructure (boreholes, wells)
• Sanitation and hygiene promotion
• Irrigation system improvements
• Distribution of non-food items (NFIs)
• Community-based public health initiatives

Protection

Focuses on safeguarding vulnerable populations, particularly:

• Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response
• Child protection services
• Safe referral systems
• Support for women-led organisations
• Inclusive, culturally sensitive programming

Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP)

Addresses conflict drivers and promotes social cohesion through:

• Strengthening local peace committees
• Conflict prevention and resolution initiatives
• Youth engagement and peace messaging
• Linking livelihoods to peacebuilding
• Community resilience against climate-related conflict

Programme Objectives

The partnership programme aims to:

• Improve access to essential services (water, sanitation, protection)
• Enhance livelihood opportunities and economic resilience
• Address protection risks and vulnerabilities
• Strengthen community capacity for conflict prevention and resolution
• Promote sustainable development and social cohesion

Technical Approach

Selected partners will implement integrated interventions that include:

• Community-based WASH infrastructure and hygiene promotion
• Livelihood and income-generating initiatives
• Protection services and referral systems
• Peacebuilding and conflict mitigation activities

The approach emphasises community engagement, sustainability, and resilience-building.

Geographic Scope

The programme will be implemented across six sub-counties in Mandera County:

• Banissa
• Lafey
• Mandera East
• Mandera North
• Mandera South
• Mandera West

Eligibility Criteria

Interested organisations must:

• Be legally registered NGOs or CBOs operating in Mandera
• Have at least 2 years of experience in the region
• Demonstrate expertise in selected thematic areas
• Provide audited financial reports for the past two years
• Show alignment with DRC’s mission and objectives
• Demonstrate strong community engagement approaches
• Have basic operational and financial capacity

Additional advantages include:

• Experience in cross-border programming
• Strong relationships with government institutions
• Proven track record in similar projects

Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Statement of interest
• Organisational profile (mandate, experience, geographic reach)
• Proposed contribution to programme objectives
• Evidence of relevant project experience
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Financial reports (last 2 years)

Application Process

• Deadline: 4 May 2026
• Submission Method: Email (Word format proposals)
• Language: English
• Clarification Deadline: 28 April 2026

Shortlisted organisations may be required to provide additional documentation during the due diligence process.

Important Notes

• Submission does not guarantee selection or funding
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted
• DRC reserves the right to accept or reject proposals

Conclusion

This Expression of Interest presents an opportunity for local organisations in Kenya to collaborate with Danish Refugee Council in delivering impactful, community-driven programmes in Mandera. The initiative emphasises localisation, resilience, and sustainable development across critical humanitarian sectors.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.