Projects may be implemented directly by communities or with sponsorship/facilitation from a number of stakeholders such as Local Authorities, Wildlife Associations, Conservation NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Private Ranches, Government Agencies, Research Institutions and Private Sector. Applicants who are not members of local communities (e.g. government agencies and NGOs) will be encouraged to develop their project proposals together with the stakeholders within the proposed project areas and enlist their support, which CEF considers to be critical for sustainability.

The CEF will offer funding ceilings at levels, based on the scope of the project. These are:

• Maximum support for project identification and proposal development is KShs. 500,000
• Integrated projects can qualify for up to KSh. 25,000,000 depending on the nature and complexity of the initiative. Projects in this category are to be implemented in periods not exceeding three years.
   

In order to enhance ownership of, commitment to and sustainability of the initiatives, beneficiaries are required to contribute a minimum of 10% of the total project cost.  The CEF may request that a portion of this contribution be deposited '' up-front'' as additional proof of this commitment.

The projects selected under CDP will meet the following broad criteria:

• Be located within priority ecosystems and important areas such as:
  •  Major water catchment areas.
  • Selected Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) supporting local livelihoods and facing serious environmental degradation.
  • Urban areas located within the key catchment areas facing serious environmental management problems.
  • Settled and high agricultural potential areas where human activities have negatively affected or are likely to negatively affect the environment as a result of associated livelihood activities.
  • Critical ecosystems such as dry land forests, lakes, swamps, marine protected and unprotected areas and important river systems.
  • Other unique areas and ecosystems not covered above.  
• Be innovative, cost effective, and backed by viable and sustainable planning documents such as management/action plans and urban development plans as necessary.
• Ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of environmental resources. To this end, proposals shall indicate clear benefit sharing mechanisms for projects with enterprise components as a way of encouraging enhanced environmental management.
• Specify clear strategies for sustainability beyond the stipulated project period – environmental, economical and social and exit/phase-out plans.
• Aim at increasing awareness of the value of integrating environmental concerns into the development agenda.
• Enhance environmental management and poverty reduction at local and national level.
• Improve and increase livelihood options and household incomes.
• Reducing potential threats to environmental integrity and developing mitigation measures in environmentally degraded areas.