KCDF AWARDS 23 MILLION TO YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS TO BOOST INNOVATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION


BY VICTORIA MOVINE 
KCDF awards a cheque of KES 23, 950,000 to the finalists of the Young Environmentalist Innovative Challenge on Wednesday, 25th June 2024.

The Kenya Community Deveopment Foundation (KCDF) has today awarded a cumulative of KES 23,950,000 to five community youth organizations to support their innovative ideas towards environmental sustainability and conservation at the Tamarind hotel, Nairobi.

As a public charitable foundation that supports 
sustainable community-driven development in Kenya, KCDF aims at developing action-oriented young individuals and youth-ed organizations committed to the conservation of the environment as it is under Young Environmentalist Innovative Chalenge (YEIC).

YEIC is an environmenta innovation fund established by KCDF with support from Mackenzie Scott to bolster innovative ideas and solutions that promote environmental conservation, sustainable resource management, and community resilience. 

KCDF awarded the finalists of the inaugural challenge launched in 2023 as they  launched the second edition today. The winners included Inua DamSite from Nyandarua County, EcoRich Solutions and Placom Manufacturers from Nairobi County and Farmer Lifeline Technologies and Fruity Schools Africa from Kiambu County.

The event underscored the significance of environmental conservation in addressing pressing global issues such as drought and climate change.

Speaking at the event in his remarks, the Chief Guest Mr. Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Group PLC, commended KCDF for its commitment to supporting youth innovations. 

"Our commitment is to lead change through shared value, with a significant allocation towards environmental conservation, education, and skils training, as well as economic empowerment.I 
applaud the YEIC competition for its eye-opening impact, and I hope the second iteration wil scale 
up in both quality and reach,to engage diverse partners in addressing environmental challenges,” said Maina.

Mr. Maina proposed using taxes to support youth-driven innovations,emphasizing that sustainability hinges on profitability, which can then fund transformative innovations.

KCDF Executive Director Ms. Grace Maingi emphasized the importance of fostering and advancing innovation within 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 pacing 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. 
Grace Maingi (R) KCDF Executive Director and Kihara Maina (L), Regional Chief Executive Officer, I&M Group PLC during the launch of the 2nd Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge on Wednesday, 25th June 2024.

Elizabeth Wathuti, Founder of Green Generation nitiative (GGI) said that the YEIC challenge 
arrived at a pivotal moment, serving as an empowering 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 egacy we leave for 
future generations. This chalengepresents 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 noted.

KCDF partnered with the National Environment Trust Fund (NetFund), Green Generation Initiative(GG),and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)to identify top unique ideas through the YEIC initiative. 

This year’s edition seeks to award three young individual environment champions with grants of up to KES 1.5 Million and six organizations with grants of up to KES 5 Million each, for implementing their unique environment conservation-based ideas. 



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