1. Background information
Kilimo Trust (KT) is a not-for-profit organization working on agriculture for development in the Eastern Africa region. For the last 20 years, Kilimo Trust has been implementing inclusive and sustainable market-led agricultural value chain development projects in the region (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda). Our Mission is to make agribusiness a transformative tool for wealth creation, food, and nutrition security for smallholder farmers and other value chain actors. KT implements agribusiness projects on behalf of and/or in partnership with Development partners, Government agencies, and Private sector companies.
Kilimo Trust (KT) is celebrating 20 years of transforming lives through agribusiness. As part of this milestone, KT invites professional writers and researchers to compete in developing the KT@20 Publication titled:
“Fostering Market Access, Job Creation, and Promoting Climate-Resilient Agriculture.”
The winning draft will receive an award of USD 1,000.
2. Competition Structure
Stage One: Interested applicants should prepare a short EOI (maximum three pages) including:
a) Profile of the applicant (name, organization/affiliation if any, contact details).
b) Relevant experience (publications, reports, or similar assignments completed).
c) Understanding of the assignment (brief outline of how you would approach writing the KT@20 publication).
d) Proposed structure (suggested table of contents or key sections).
e) Writing sample(s) (attach or provide links).
Stage Two: Full Draft by Shortlisted Writers (All the shortlisted writers will receive prizes)
• KT will shortlist 3–5 finalists from Stage 1.
• Finalists will have full access to the KT data/information package after signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
• Each finalist will prepare a full draft manuscript (6,000–8,000 words) in line with AJFAND standards.
• KT will review and select the winner.
3. Eligibility
Strong writing and research skills, preferably with published work in agriculture, development, or related fields.
Proven ability to synthesize evidence and communicate complex ideas clearly for diverse audiences.
Capability to utilize available public data to attribute success to Kilimo Trust–implemented projects.
Familiarity with East African agricultural value chains and market systems will be an added advantage.
4. Submission Guidelines
Deadline (Stage 1): September 25th, 2025
Format: PDF or Word document (max. 3 pages for the EOI
References: APA style, AJFAND format.
Email to: recruitment@kilimotrust.org
Subject line: KT@20 Writing Competition – Stage 1 Submission
5. Award
• USD 1,000 for the winning draft.
• USD 500 for the second-place winners and USD 300 for third-place winners
• Recognition as lead writer of the KT@20 Publication.
6. Suggested Content for the KT@20 Publication
Overview – KT’s journey:
a) KT’s origins and evolution (Who we are, our strategic focus, founding year and reason/purpose of establishment, expansion of mandate, geographical scope, or methodology)
b) Timeline of major milestones (Transitions – grant maker then implementer, physical regional presence)
c) Partnerships: Funders and partnerships forged with specific regions/sub-regions within countries, development partners interacted with per country, government bodies, and private sectors within countries.
7. Key impacts and metrics in our journey to transforming lives:
a) Describe both qualitative and quantitative impacts of our work in the last 20 years under:
i) KT as a grant maker
ii) Agricultural production and productivity
iii) Value chain development
iv) Market development
v) Climate resilience and adaptation
vi) Job creation
vii) Markets and policy analysis
b) Cross-cutting anchors for success are partnerships established with:
i) Beneficiaries/ participants – the communities we serve, farmers, Women, youth, owners of businesses/SMEs
ii) Funders
iii) Governments – aligning with their priorities to address problems or challenges (Agriculture, Trade, Local Government, Education, Prime Minister’s office, etc)
iv) Private sector – Understand their needs are working in partnerships with business.
v) Civil society organisations – partnerships to co-implement with them.
vi) Media –
c) Give examples of our successes - case studies/ achievements, partner/beneficiary feedback.
• Governance structure – close supportive relationship with management, good governance at the board level, and how it has been evolving.
• Transparency and confronting issues head–on.
d) Challenges we have gone through and how they have made us stronger!