Our vision
Thriving, peaceful, resilient, and self-reliant communities where every person has a fair opportunity to live with dignity and contribute to sustainable development.
Nairobi, Kenya · Community-led development
Building stronger, more self-reliant communities.
BDI works to reduce poverty and hunger, strengthen livelihoods, and promote peaceful, resilient communities — starting with what communities already know about themselves.
- ~100young people reached through our youth education and empowerment work
- 2communities so far: Pangani (Nairobi) and Ongata Rongai
Community-led
Practical development for lasting change
Where we focusSix areas, one aim: dignity and self-reliance.
- Livelihoods
- Women's & youth empowerment
- Health & maternity care
- Peace & conflict resolution
- Community security
- Climate responseEl Niño, drought & climate change
Who we are
Practical pathways out of poverty.
Bankable Development International is a Kenyan development organization committed to creating practical pathways out of poverty, hunger, exclusion, and vulnerability.
BDI works with underserved communities — especially low-income households, women, youth, smallholder farmers, informal producers, and unemployed or underemployed people.
Our name reflects our belief that development must be more than an idea. It must be practical, credible, sustainable, and capable of producing real results in people's lives.
We believe development should create lasting opportunity. That means listening to communities, responding to real needs, building practical skills and livelihoods, and measuring the change created.
Our mission
To reduce poverty and hunger, strengthen livelihoods, build resilient communities, and promote peaceful and inclusive societies through practical, community-led, measurable development initiatives.
Our values
The principles that guide every decision, programme and partnership we take on.
- 01
Dignity
We respect the worth, voice, rights, and potential of every person.
- 02
Integrity
We act honestly, ethically, and responsibly in every decision and partnership.
- 03
Accountability
We are answerable to communities, partners, supporters, and the people we serve.
- 04
Community ownership
Lasting development is built with communities, not imposed on them.
- 05
Inclusion
Women, youth, vulnerable households, and marginalized groups can participate and benefit.
- 06
Excellence
We pursue high standards in planning, implementation, learning, and reporting.
- 07
Sustainability
We design solutions that strengthen long-term independence rather than dependence.
- 08
Innovation
We welcome practical new ideas that improve results and expand opportunity.
What we do
Three programme areas, one aim.
Helping people move toward dignity, resilience, and independence — through work that is practical, measurable and owned by communities.
Livelihoods & economic empowerment
Economic opportunity is central to dignity and self-reliance. We support vulnerable people to build the skills, knowledge, networks, and confidence needed to earn sustainable incomes.
- Youth skills & employment pathways
- Entrepreneurship & small-business support
- Women's economic empowerment
- Financial literacy & savings groups
- Cooperative development
- Vocational & business skills training
- Market access & enterprise linkages
- Support for informal producers
Goal: improve real economic security and the ability to support one's own family — not simply deliver training.
Food security & resilient communities
Hunger and poverty are closely connected. We work with communities to strengthen their ability to produce, access, and afford nutritious food while adapting to economic and climate-related pressures.
- Smallholder farmer support
- Climate-smart, resilient agriculture
- Kitchen & community gardens
- Agricultural value-chain development
- Food-production initiatives
- Nutrition awareness
- Water-related livelihood solutions
- Access-to-market support for producers
Goal: stronger households with improved food security, productive capacity, and resilience.
Peace, social cohesion & community development
Communities cannot prosper where exclusion, conflict, mistrust, or instability prevent people from working together. We support inclusive, community-led efforts that strengthen cooperation.
- Community dialogue & peacebuilding
- Youth peace & leadership initiatives
- Conflict prevention & social cohesion
- Community engagement & local governance
- Civic participation
- Community leadership development
- Local problem-solving forums
- Community development initiatives
Goal: communities that are more united, inclusive, peaceful, and able to shape their shared future.
Relevant experience
Our work with young people so far.
Progress that can be seen and measured — starting with the young people we have already worked alongside.
Bankable Development International has conducted youth education and empowerment activities in Pangani, Nairobi, and Ongata Rongai, reaching approximately 100 young people across the two locations.
Activities focused on motivation, personal development and helping young people identify and pursue their goals.
Made possible by
- Local partners
- Private companies
- Individuals
Local partners, private companies and individuals supported this work through funding and in-kind contributions of services and professional expertise.
What we will report as programmes grow
BDI is building a model of development that is practical, accountable, and evidence-led. We will report what we do, what we learn, and the difference our work makes — with verified information on:
- Households and individuals reached
- Youth and women supported
- Livelihoods strengthened
- Enterprises supported
- Food-security improvements
- Communities engaged
- Peacebuilding & social-cohesion outcomes
- Partnerships created
Urgent priority
Kala-azar: a call to action.
In parts of northern and eastern Kenya, Kala-azar continues to threaten the lives of some of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
Also known as visceral leishmaniasis, Kala-azar is spread by infected sandflies. It can cause persistent fever, severe weight loss, extreme weakness, and life-threatening complications when treatment is delayed.
Through the work of Dr. Said — one of BDI’s directors and a practicing doctor in Mwingi — we have seen the reality of this disease at community level. His direct experience with patients has shown us that, although other organizations are already doing important work, the number of cases and the level of community vulnerability remain deeply concerning.
For BDI, this is not just another health statistic. It is a humanitarian priority that demands immediate action — a chance to create measurable impact, reach communities that are still being left behind, and help save lives through stronger awareness and coordinated action.
No family should lose a loved one to a disease that can be detected and treated.
Our approach
No one-size-fits-all development.
Every community has its own strengths, challenges, and priorities — so our process starts and ends with them.
- Identify
- Listen
- Design
- Invest
- Implement
- Measure
- Learn
- Scale
Community-led development
We begin by listening. Communities understand their own realities, priorities, and strengths, and we work with them to identify practical solutions that reflect local needs.
Measurable impact
We focus on results, not activity alone: what problem are we solving, who benefits, what change should happen, how will we measure it, and what will make it last.
Sustainable solutions
We aim to move people from short-term assistance toward skills, income, resilience, and independence wherever possible.
Strong partnerships
Meaningful development requires collaboration with communities, government, civil society, development partners, foundations, universities, and responsible private-sector partners.
Accountability & good governance
We are committed to responsible stewardship of resources, transparent decision-making, proper financial management, and conflict-of-interest controls.
Worldwide · Remote
Volunteers wanted.
Help us connect with donors and secure funding. As funding becomes available, volunteers may be considered for permanent paid roles, regardless of location.
Governance
An institution people can trust.
BDI is guided by a governance structure that separates oversight from daily management.
- Financial records, audits, and internal controls support accountability
- Funds and assets used solely to advance our charitable objectives
- Transparency, ethical leadership, and responsible management
General MeetingHighest membership authority
The BoardPolicy direction, oversight, strategic governance
CEO & SecretariatDay-to-day work and implementation
Partner with us
Let's create lasting change together.
Strong communities are built through strong partnerships. BDI welcomes collaboration with:
- Government institutions
- Local community organizations
- Non-governmental organizations
- Development agencies
- Foundations & philanthropists
- Corporate partners
- Universities & research institutions
- Technical experts & volunteers
Whether you want to support a programme, share expertise, co-design a project, fund an initiative, or explore a strategic partnership, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Become a partnerContact
Start a conversation.
Do you want to partner with BDI, support our work, volunteer, or learn more about our programmes?
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General enquirieshello@
bankabledevelopment.org -
Volunteer applicationsexec.director@
bankabledevelopment.org -
Phone / WhatsApp0799 583 522
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OfficeNairobi, Kenya