Sustainable Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment in Kenya
Building Resilient Communities Through Inclusive Economic Opportunities
At Communities for Africa Network – Kenya (CAN-K), we believe economic empowerment is the engine of resilient, self-reliant communities. When people can earn an income, build financial skills, and access sustainable livelihoods, they are better equipped to support their families, withstand shocks, and recover from crises with dignity. Yet refugees, women, youth, and other marginalized groups across Kenya continue to face systemic barriers from limited financing and skills training to restricted market access and social exclusion.
What we do
CAN-K is closing this gap by partnering with communities, local institutions, and development actors to unlock inclusive economic opportunities and create pathways to financial independence. Through community-driven livelihood initiatives, we strengthen long-term wellbeing, expand prosperity, and empower people to lead their own development because investing in livelihoods is investing in resilience.
What We Do
Entrepreneurship & Financial Literacy
We equip community members with skills to build sustainable businesses. Our main programs include:
Business training
Financial literacy and savings
Market-oriented skills development
Mentoring for small businesses
These initiatives help individuals create income and secure their financial future
Strengthening Community Enterprises & Cooperatives
Community-based enterprises play an important role in strengthening local economies.
CAN-K supports community groups by:
Strengthening cooperatives and self-help groups
Supporting community-led enterprises
Encouraging savings and collective investment initiatives
Promoting collaboration among local businesses
These initiatives help communities build sustainable economic systems from the ground up.
Refugee & Host Community Economic Inclusion
Economic inclusion is vital for stability and social cohesion. CAN-K promotes inclusive livelihoods for refugees and host communities through:
Area-based livelihood programs
Income-generating support for displaced people
Collaboration between hosts and refugees
Economic integration aligned with Kenya’s Shirika Plan.
These strategies empower communities to prosper together.
Market Linkages & Economic Partnerships
CAN-K links communities to wider markets for sustained economic growth.
We support:
Market access for community enterprises
Value chain and economic opportunities
County government and private sector partnerships
Local economic development initiatives
Strong partnerships drive sustainable growth.
Our Impact
Through CAN-K’s livelihoods and economic empowerment programs, households build resilience, women and youth access entrepreneurship, refugees and hosts engage in inclusive economies, and community enterprises create local jobs. These efforts lay the foundation for sustainable development giving communities the tools to shape their own futures.
Connected pathways across our work.
Our focus areas are intentionally interconnected — peacebuilding strengthens justice, livelihoods support child protection, and so on.
Support Livelihood & Economic Empowerment
Support community-based solutions through our livelihood programs, collaborate with CAN-K, or help fund projects that boost economic empowerment and create opportunities.