Clive Ayuko
Nairobi, Kenya – June 25, 2024:
The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has awarded KES 23,950,000 to five youth organizations dedicated to environmental sustainability and conservation. The awards were presented as part of the Young Environmentalist Innovative Challenge (YEIC), an initiative launched in 2023 to support action-oriented young individuals and youth-led organizations committed to environmental conservation.
The winning organizations—Inua DamSite from Nyandarua County, EcoRich Solutions and Placom Manufacturers from Nairobi County, and Farmer Lifeline Technologies and Fruity Schools Africa from Kiambu County—received grants to implement their innovative environmental solutions.
The event also marked the launch of the second edition of the YEIC, which will award grants of up to KES 1.5 million to three young individual environment champions and grants of up to KES 5 million each to six organizations with unique environmental conservation ideas.
YEIC, an environmental innovation fund supported by philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, aims to promote sustainable resource management and community resilience. KCDF has partnered with the National Environment Trust Fund (NetFund), Green Generation Initiative (GGI), and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to identify top innovative ideas.
The ceremony brought together youth representatives, private sector stakeholders, environmental champions, advocates, and enthusiasts. It highlighted the critical role of environmental conservation in tackling global challenges such as drought and climate change and emphasized the importance of digital technology in enhancing environmental protection efforts.
Chief Guest Mr. Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Group PLC, commended KCDF for its commitment to supporting youth innovations. He emphasized the government’s role as an enabler, suggesting the use of taxes to support youth-driven innovations and stressing that sustainability relies on profitability to fund transformative projects. “Our commitment is to lead change through shared value, with significant allocation towards environmental conservation, education, skills training, and economic empowerment,” said Mr. Maina.
KCDF Executive Director Ms. Grace Maingi emphasized the importance of fostering innovation within the development sector to control carbon emissions. “We aim to empower young people by recognizing their potential through the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge. Our theme, ‘Green and Coded,’ underscores our focus on innovative waste management solutions and digital transformations poised to drive future progress,” she said.
Elizabeth Wathuti, Founder of Green Generation Initiative (GGI), noted that the YEIC challenge arrives at a pivotal moment, providing a platform for Kenya’s youth amidst formidable competition for resources dominated by larger organizations. “We stand at a crucial crossroads where every decision made will shape the legacy we leave for future generations,” she concluded.
Applications for the 2024 edition of the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge are open on the KCDF website: [www.kcdf.or.ke](http://www.kcdf.or.ke).
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