The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has awarded Sh53 million in grants to 10 community organisations and two individuals for their groundbreaking ideas in environmental sustainability and conservation. The awards, part of the second edition of the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), were presented at a ceremony held at the Serena Hotel, Nairobi.
The YEIC initiative, supported by philanthropic partners, empowers action-oriented youth and youth-led organisations committed to protecting the environment. This year’s winners were selected from over 400 applications submitted after the challenge’s launch in June 2024, following an intensive vetting process by a panel of expert judges.
The 2024 recipients include MOMA Renewable Energy (Kisii), Vermi-Farm Initiative Limited (Meru), M-taka Waste Solutions Limited (Kisumu), Eco Nasi Limited (Machakos), Timao Group (Nairobi), Megagas Alternative Energy Enterprise Ltd (Nairobi), Pollen Patrollers Limited (Kiambu), Zalika Greentech Limited (Nairobi), Adumu Limited (Nairobi), CropScan Smart Farming Technologies (Nairobi), and individuals Erick Sankale Olkiado and Nthuku Mumo Osoro.
Their innovations range from clean energy solutions such as bioethanol production and plastic-to-gas conversion, to smart agriculture using IoT and AI, biodegradable leather production, recycled construction materials, forest monitoring sensors, biogas storage systems, and democratized carbon credit platforms. KCDF said these projects demonstrate strong potential for scalability, significant environmental impact, job creation, and community engagement.
“The financial support from KCDF will help them play a crucial role in advancing green and digital transformation in the country,” the foundation stated.
The event also marked the launch of the third edition of YEIC under the theme Scaling Innovations for Environmental Impact. The 2025 challenge will focus on proven community-level solutions ready for expansion, prioritising innovations in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable energy, and ecosystem restoration. Youth aged 15–35 years are encouraged to apply via the KCDF website (www.kcdf.or.ke).
Chief Guest Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency, lauded the finalists for their contribution to shaping Kenya’s environmental future, noting that youth-led innovation is key to tackling climate change and promoting sustainable development.
“Solutions to our most pressing environmental challenges can come from within our communities,” KCDF emphasised, highlighting the creativity and determination of young Kenyans driving the nation’s green transition.
