CBEN Holds Its First Call of 2026: Formalization into CBEA and Launch of Member Registration Take Center Stage

CBEN kicked off 2026 with its first official network call, marking a major milestone in the organization’s journey. The key agenda of the call was the formalization of CBEN into the Circular Bionutrient Economy Association (CBEA) and the official launch of the member registration framework.

With this transition, CBEN is now formally registered and recognized by the Government of Kenya, working in alignment with both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. This recognition grants the Association the autonomy to operate seamlessly within Kenya and beyond, advancing the mission of circularity and climate-smart agriculture through the recovery of waste into valuable fertilizers and soil inputs.

A major highlight of the call was the introduction of the CBEA membership income model, designed to create a sustainable and inclusive platform for organizations, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders operating within the circular bioeconomy space. Membership registration allows diverse actors to formally identify under the Association’s umbrella, strengthening collaboration, visibility, and collective impact.

Discussions emphasized the importance of building a sustainable funding model to support administrative operations, events, and long-term continuity—balancing grant funding with member contributions.

CBEA will offer eight membership categories:

• Members with Grants (3-year membership)

• Annual Membership – Smallholder Farmer

• Annual Membership – Organization (Start-up)

• Annual Membership – Organization

• Annual Membership – International Organization

• Annual Membership – International Individual

• Network Sponsoring Member

• Voluntary and Honorary Member

Membership fees range from KES 0 (USD 0) for voluntary members to KES 450,000 (USD 3,500), depending on the category.

CBEA membership offers tailored benefits across categories: individuals gain access to training, professional networks, and advocacy platforms; organizations benefit from enhanced visibility, collaboration opportunities, and policy influence; international partners receive global recognition and joint project opportunities; sponsors enjoy branding, recognition, and impact reporting; while voluntary and honorary members contribute through internships and mission-driven engagement, with voting rights aligned to their membership status.

This membership model is a strategic step toward ensuring CBEN’s  (now CBEA) long-term sustainability while strengthening its role as a regional and global convener in the circular bionutrient economy.

For more details, read the full breakdown in the attached CBEN 2025 Annual Newsletter.

2025 ANNUAL NEWSLETTER

By Erick Opiyo Abala

Head of Communications-CBEN