KCDF Awards Sh31.5 Million to Young Innovators as Environmental Challenge Expands
By Peace Muthoka
Seven youth-led enterprises from across Kenya receive funding to scale solutions tackling waste, climate change, clean energy and water scarcity
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 31, 2026 — The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has awarded Sh31.5 million to seven youth-led enterprises and community organisations developing innovative solutions to some of Kenya’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The funding marks the culmination of the third edition of the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), an initiative established by KCDF in 2023 to identify, support and scale innovative environmental solutions developed by young people across the country.
The latest winners emerged from a highly competitive pool of more than 700 applications submitted from different parts of Kenya. The finalists underwent a rigorous selection process that assessed the level of innovation, potential impact, sustainability and ability to scale their solutions.
Over the past three years, the initiative has grown into an important platform for youth-led environmental innovation, supporting 24 projects focused on environmental conservation, climate resilience, sustainable resource management and circular economy solutions.
Young innovators turning challenges into opportunities
The seven winning enterprises are demonstrating how locally developed ideas can provide practical responses to environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities and livelihoods for communities.
In Mombasa County, Twende Green Ecocycle is transforming marine plastic waste into durable and affordable school furniture, helping address plastic pollution while providing useful products to schools.
In Bungoma County, Fibertext Green Paper Ltd is converting discarded banana stems and fibres into biodegradable paper packaging. The innovation offers an alternative to conventional packaging materials while creating value from agricultural waste.
Meanwhile, Queening Afrika in Nairobi County is giving discarded synthetic hair a new lease of life by transforming it into handbags, home décor products and other environmentally friendly items.
In Murang’a County, Bio Regen is producing organic ACT probiotic fertiliser to promote sustainable agriculture, while Majik Water Technologies is using atmospheric moisture to produce clean and safe drinking water, offering an innovative response to water scarcity.
Ecobora, based in Kajiado County, is developing solar cooking technologies aimed at reducing dependence on conventional fuels. In Siaya County, Ecobuild is converting hazardous mining waste into eco-bricks that can be used in affordable housing.
Together, the seven innovations are tackling a broad range of challenges, including waste management, sustainable agriculture, water scarcity, access to clean energy, affordable housing and the transition towards a circular economy.
KCDF calls for greater support for youth innovation
Speaking during the event, KCDF Executive Director Grace Maingi said solving Kenya’s environmental challenges would require collaboration, resource sharing and greater investment in young people with innovative ideas.
“The solutions we need, for waste, for clean energy, for the trees we have lost, for the soils our farmers depend on, will only come from people willing to sit at the same table, share resources, share risk, and share credit,” Maingi said.
She said the occasion provided an opportunity to celebrate young Kenyan innovators whose determination and creativity had enabled them to turn ideas into enterprises addressing challenges in waste management, energy, agriculture and conservation.
The latest winners, she added, demonstrate that local innovation can deliver solutions that not only protect the environment but also create livelihoods and strengthen communities.
Initiative expands beyond environmental solutions
The awards also marked a new chapter in the partnership between KCDF and the I&M Foundation, with the initiative now expanding under a new name — the Young Innovators Challenge (YIC).
The rebranding reflects a broader vision that moves beyond environmental conservation to support youth-led innovations addressing a wider range of social, economic and development challenges facing Kenya.
Through the expanded challenge, emerging innovators will have access to funding, mentorship, professional networks, technical expertise and opportunities to connect with markets. The programme aims to help promising ideas develop into sustainable ventures capable of delivering measurable impact in communities.
I&M Foundation pledges stronger support
Speaking at the event, Kihara Maina, Interim CEO of I&M Bank, said financial institutions have a role to play in creating an environment where people, businesses and communities can grow sustainably.
“At I&M Bank and through the Foundation, we believe a financial institution’s responsibility extends beyond financing transactions. We must help build the conditions in which people, businesses and communities can thrive over the long term,” Maina said.
He said the partnership would combine financial grants with capacity strengthening, technical expertise and market connections to help young innovators build stronger and more sustainable ventures.
According to Maina, providing funding alone is not enough to ensure that innovative ideas succeed. Young entrepreneurs also need the skills, networks and opportunities required to turn their solutions into viable enterprises with lasting impact.
Matching grants to expand opportunities
KCDF Board Vice Chair Gordon Odundo said the partnership demonstrates how collaboration between different institutions can increase resources and opportunities available to young innovators.
“When a financial institution and a community foundation combine resources, technical expertise, and shared values, the results multiply,” Odundo said.
He noted that under the matching-grant arrangement for the Young Innovators Challenge, the I&M Foundation is matching KCDF’s contribution, significantly expanding the pool of resources available to young innovators.
The partnership is expected to give more young Kenyans an opportunity to develop and scale solutions capable of addressing some of the country’s most pressing challenges.
Applications now open
Following the launch of the Young Innovators Challenge, KCDF and the I&M Foundation have opened applications to young people with innovative ideas addressing social, economic and development challenges.
The initiative seeks to strengthen Kenya’s innovation ecosystem by connecting emerging innovators with the financial support, mentorship, expertise and networks they need to transform promising ideas into sustainable ventures.
Applications for the Young Innovators Challenge are currently open through the KCDF website, providing an opportunity for a new generation of innovators to bring forward solutions capable of creating lasting change in their communities.
