Sisters’ Blended Value Project Seed Grant Journey

Catholic sisters play multifaceted roles as pillars of support within their communities, ranging from educators and healthcare providers to advocates for social justice. In the serene landscapes of East and Central Africa, Catholic sisters, the stalwart custodians of compassion and community service, find themselves navigating tumultuous waters marked by a series of formidable challenges. Among these, a particularly stark obstacle is the withdrawal of crucial donor funding, casting a shadow over the endeavors of their devotion to serving humanity. This withdrawal of donor funding adds a layer of complexity to the already demanding mission of evangelization as the sisters strive to uplift the underprivileged and marginalized. However, a promising initiative may turn the tide: the Sisters’ Blended Value Project (SBVP), intended to promote self-reliance and sustainability among the social enterprises run by sisters in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia.

The Sisters’ Blended Value Project (SBVP) is funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and implemented by Strathmore Business School in partnership with the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA). The project is implemented in line with four strategic pillars:  Individual and Institutional Capacity Building, Research, Collaborative Networks, and an Integrated Financial Solution. To realize and strengthen the integrated financial solutions pillar, SBVP diligently crafted four pivotal documents. These include the Seed Grant Scoring Matrix in support of the business plan pitching, the Seed Grant Allocation Matrix, the Seed Grant Fund Agreement, and a meticulous Financial Reporting Template. These instruments served as the foundation for congregations across the four countries as sisters submitted their business plans and presentations for evaluation and correction by the dedicated SBVP team.

The culmination of this preparatory phase was manifested in the Business Plan Pitching sessions conducted in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia. Sisters from 60 congregations showcased their entrepreneurial visions, each contributing to the richness of the proposed SBVP incubation center. The pitching provided a platform for the sisters to present their innovative projects, fostering an environment of collaboration and shared aspirations.

Undoubtedly, the heartbeat of this financial initiative lies in the successful disbursement of seed grant funds to 60 congregations, forming an impressive 98.36%. Disbursing seed grant funds has not been without its share of challenges. Leadership transitions, language barriers, and communication hurdles posed obstacles, yet the resilience of the congregations prevailed. Despite these challenges, the SBVP celebrates the success of 60 out of 61 congregations receiving their seed grant funds.

In the landscape of grants and funding for social initiatives, the SBVP seed grant stands out as a distinctive model, offering a flexible and accessible avenue for congregations to realize their social enterprise aspirations. Unlike many grants provided by NGOs, the SBVP funding model adopts a less burdensome and more flexible approach. Traditional funding mechanisms often have stringent due diligence and operational requirements, creating barriers for the social ministries run by the sisters. In contrast, SBVP seed grants prioritize accessibility, enabling sisters’ congregations to navigate the funding process more easily.

SBVP seed grants distinguish themselves by supporting start-ups and existing social enterprises that align with the charism of the congregations. The emphasis on sisters’ involvement and a pre-existing commitment ensures these social enterprises thrive after the SBVP programme ends. This sustainability-oriented approach contrasts with many other funding frameworks, which often dictate the shape and size of initiatives.

As we approach the culmination of 2023, we find ourselves amid a noteworthy journey within our development partnership framework and seed grant initiatives. This undertaking has been instrumental in offering us a holistic perspective on our strides from 2022 to 2023, setting the stage for the forthcoming implementation of projects in 2024. 

SBVP emerges as a beacon of success in its pursuit of empowering Catholic sisters and their congregations in East and Central Africa. Through strategic collaboration between the Strathmore Business School and the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA), and supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,  the SBVP has strategically implemented pillar four, focusing on Integrated Financial Solutions. The meticulous crafting of essential documents and the culmination of Business Plan Pitching sessions showcased the innovative spirit of the sisters. The SBVP’s seed grant flexibility and sustainability-oriented approach stand out, ensuring that social enterprises aligning with the congregations’ charism continue to thrive beyond the programme.