The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has awarded a total of KES 23,950,000 to five youth organizations to support their innovative environmental sustainability and conservation projects. This announcement was made at a ceremony in Nairobi, marking the conclusion of the inaugural Young Environmentalist Innovative Challenge (YEIC) and the launch of its second edition.
The inaugural challenge, which began in 2023, saw Inua DamSite from Nyandarua County, EcoRich Solutions and Placom Manufacturers from Nairobi County, and Farmer Lifeline Technologies and Fruity Schools Africa from Kiambu County emerging as winners.
The second edition of the YEIC aims to award three individual environmental champions with grants of up to KES 1.5 million each and six organizations with grants of up to KES 5 million each. The YEIC, an environmental innovation fund established by KCDF with support from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, seeks to bolster innovative solutions for environmental conservation, sustainable resource management, and community resilience.
KCDF has partnered with the National Environment Trust Fund (NetFund), Green Generation Initiative (GGI), WorldWide Fund- Kenya (WWF-K) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to identify and support the most promising ideas through this initiative. The event, attended by youth representatives, private sector leaders, and environmental advocates, highlighted the importance of environmental conservation in combating global challenges such as drought and climate change and emphasized the role of digital technology in these efforts.
Mr. Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Group PLC, praised KCDF for its dedication to youth innovations and stressed the importance of government support in facilitating these initiatives. He suggested using taxes to fund youth-driven innovations, emphasizing that sustainability relies on profitability, which can fund transformative projects.
“Our commitment is to lead change through shared value, with significant allocations towards environmental conservation, education, skills training, and economic empowerment. I applaud the YEIC competition for its eye-opening impact, and I hope the second iteration will scale up in both quality and reach, engaging diverse partners in addressing environmental challenges,” said Mr. Maina.
KCDF Executive Director Ms. Grace Maingi underscored the importance of fostering innovation in the development sector alongside efforts to control carbon emissions. “We aim to empower young people by recognizing their potential through the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge. As we launch the second call for applicants, we have extended support eligibility to individuals aged 15 to 35, offering grants of up to five million shillings. Central to our mission is fostering sustainable change for sustainable development. To achieve this, we are committed to placing technology at the forefront. Our theme, ‘Green and Coded,’ underscores our focus on innovative waste management solutions and digital transformations poised to drive future progress,” said Ms. Maingi.
Elizabeth Wathuti, Founder of Green Generation Initiative (GGI), remarked that the YEIC challenge arrives at a pivotal moment, providing a platform for Kenya’s youth to excel amidst fierce competition for resources. “We stand at a crucial crossroads where every decision made will shape the legacy we leave for future generations. This challenge presents us with a unique opportunity to tap into the local ingenuity and passion of young people, enabling them to lead in safeguarding their environment,” she concluded.
The YEIC continues to inspire and support young environmentalists, aiming to create a lasting impact on Kenya’s environmental conservation efforts through innovation and technology.