Business Desk 
- KCDF grants Ksh 53 million to support young environmental innovators;
By Edith Mutisya in Nairobi, Kenya
In efforts to encourage environmental sustainability and conservation, the Kenya Community Development Foundation(KCDF), a public charitable foundation that supports sustainable community-driven development in Kenya, has awarded grants totaling Ksh50 million to 10 community organizations and two individuals to support their innovative ideas.
The awardees were the finalists of the second edition of the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), a KCDF initiative that supports action-oriented young people and youth-led organizations committed to environmental conservation, with a backing from philanthropic funders.
Speaking at the event, Gordon Odundo, Vice Chairperson of KCDF, said the foundation believes in the power of communities to drive their own development.
“This belief is not just a guiding principle; it is a strategic commitment. Our current strategy, sustainable impact for flourishing futures (2024 to2028), reaffirms this dedication to community-driven change,” he said.
He said that during the strategic period, KCDF aims to support over 100 community organizations and is already working with more than 60 partners across Kenya.
“Together, we are scaling transformative innovations and strengthening community philanthropy. These numbers represent lives transformed, ecosystems restored, policies shaped, and futures secured,” he said.
He said YEIC continues to showcase the creativity and ingenuity of Kenya’s young population, whose innovations are redefining responses to environmental challenges and accelerating the green transition.
“We invite all stakeholders, governments, private sector, civil society, and individuals to walk this journey with us. Together, we can shift power, build resilience, and ensure that every community across Kenya flourishes,” he said.
The second edition awardees included MOMA Renewable Energy (Kisii), Vermi-Farm Initiative Limited (Meru), M-taka Waste Solutions Limited (Kisumu), Eco Nasi Limited (Machakos), Timao Group (Nairobi), and Megagas Alternative Energy Enterprise LTD (Nairobi).
Others were Pollen Patrollers Limited (Kiambu), Zalika Greentech Limited (Nairobi), Adumu Limited (Nairobi) and CropScan Smart Farming Technologies (Nairobi), Erick Sankale Olkiado, and Nthuku Mumo Osoro.
The finalists were selected through an intensive vetting process by a team of judges, who reviewed over 400 applications submitted following the launch of the second edition of the challenge in June 2024.
Comprising youth-led organizations and individuals, the finalists showcased innovative solutions on clean energy alternatives such as bioethanol and plastic-to-gas technologies, smart agriculture using the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence.
Other proposals included circular economy models like biodegradable leather and recycled construction materials, climate technologies such as forest monitoring sensors, biogas storage, and democratized carbon credit platforms.
These solutions not only demonstrate significant environmental impact but also display strong potential for scalability, community engagement, and economic empowerment, underscoring the key role of youth-led innovations in advancing Kenya’s green transition.
The financial support from KCDF will help them play a crucial role in advancing the country’s green and digital transformation.
During the event, KCDF also launched the third edition of YEIC under the theme, “Scaling Innovations for Environmental Impact.”
This year’s challenge focuses on elevating proven solutions that have demonstrated successful results at the community level, supporting innovators who are ready to expand their reach and deepen their impact.
The challenge will prioritize innovations that address pressing environmental issues such as climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, renewable energy, and ecosystem restoration. It targets youth aged 15-35 years.
Dr. Tonny K. Omwansa, Chief Executive Officer at Kenya National Innovation Agency(KeNIA), congratulated the finalists for their role in promoting environmental conservation.
He emphasized that youth-led initiatives play a pivotal role in tackling climate change and advancing sustainable development.
Grace Maingi, the KCDF Executive Director, hinted at plans by the foundation to establish an academy of innovators targeting unsuccessful applicants, with the aim of connecting them to potential partners.
She said Foundation also aims to raise Ksh80 million for its education challenge to support learners through scholarships and invited the public to contribute to the cause.
