Funding the Future: KCDF Awards KES 31.5 Million to Seven Youth Innovators, Launches Expanded Young Innovators Challenge
By Gedion Nzyoki -
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 31, 2026 — The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) has awarded KES 31.5 million to seven youth-led enterprises and community organisations developing innovative solutions to some of Kenya's most pressing environmental challenges, as the foundation unveiled an expanded innovation programme in partnership with the I&M Foundation.
The grants marked the culmination of the third edition of the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), a flagship initiative launched by KCDF in 2023 to identify, nurture and scale youth-led environmental innovations across the country.
The seven winners were selected from more than 700 applications submitted nationwide following a rigorous evaluation process that assessed innovation, sustainability, scalability and community impact.
Over the past three years, the programme has supported 24 transformative projects focused on environmental conservation, climate resilience, sustainable resource management and circular economy solutions.
KCDF calls for collaboration to tackle environmental challenges
Speaking during the awards ceremony at Nairobi Serena Hotel on Friday, KCDF Executive Director Grace Maingi said Kenya's environmental challenges can only be addressed through stronger partnerships that bring together resources, expertise and shared commitment.
KCDF Executive Director Grace Maingi addresses participants during the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC) award ceremony at Nairobi Serena Hotel. Photo: KCDF Press.
She praised young innovators for transforming bold ideas into practical enterprises that are solving real community challenges while creating employment and economic opportunities.
"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. Today we pause to celebrate, to honour Kenya's young innovators whose ingenuity and grit have turned bold ideas into real enterprises tackling waste, energy, agriculture, and conservation across this country," said Grace Maingi.
Maingi reaffirmed KCDF's belief that young people are central to developing solutions to Kenya's development challenges, saying investments in youth innovation are investments in the country's sustainable future.
"This year's winners demonstrate that local innovation can provide practical, scalable and commercially viable solutions to environmental challenges while creating livelihoods and strengthening communities," she said.
Seven innovations tackling Kenya's environmental challenges
The seven winning innovations reflect the diversity and ingenuity of Kenya's young entrepreneurs in addressing some of the country's most pressing environmental challenges. Collectively, the projects provide practical solutions in waste management, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, water security, affordable housing and the transition to a circular economy.
Among the winners is Twende Green Ecocycle from Mombasa County, which is transforming marine plastic waste into durable and affordable school furniture, helping reduce ocean pollution while improving access to learning infrastructure. Fibertext Green Paper Ltd from Bungoma County is converting discarded banana stems and fibres into biodegradable paper packaging, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional packaging materials.
From Nairobi County, Queening Afrika is giving discarded synthetic hair a second life by transforming it into handbags, home décor products and other eco-friendly items, while Bio Regen from Murang'a County is producing organic ACT probiotic fertiliser to promote sustainable agriculture and improve soil health.
In Kajiado County, Ecobora is developing solar cooking technologies that reduce dependence on conventional fuels and promote clean energy, while Ecobuild from Siaya County is converting hazardous mining waste into eco-bricks for affordable housing, turning an environmental hazard into a valuable construction material.
Also recognised was Majik Water Technologies from Murang'a County, whose innovation harnesses atmospheric moisture to produce clean and safe drinking water, offering a sustainable solution to water scarcity in vulnerable communities.
KCDF and I&M Foundation launch expanded innovation programme
The event also marked the official launch of the Young Innovators Challenge (YIC), a rebranded and expanded programme that broadens the initiative's focus beyond environmental conservation to support youth-led innovations addressing social, economic and development challenges.
The new programme aims to strengthen Kenya's innovation ecosystem by connecting promising innovators with funding, mentorship, technical support, networks and opportunities to scale their ventures.
Chief Guest Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Bank, addresses participants during the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC) award ceremony in Nairobi. Photo: KCDF Press
Speaking as the chief guest, Interim I&M Bank CEO Kihara Maina said the partnership reflects the bank's commitment to supporting long-term social and economic development through more than just financial support.
"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. By pairing financial grants with capacity strengthening and connections to expertise and markets, we want to help promising solutions become stronger, more measurable and more sustainable," said Maina.
On his part, KCDF Board Vice Chair Gordon Odundo said the collaboration between KCDF and the I&M Foundation demonstrates the impact of partnerships built on shared values and complementary strengths.
He noted that under the Young Innovators Challenge, the I&M Foundation matches KCDF's contribution through a matching grant arrangement, significantly increasing resources available to youth innovators.
"When a financial institution and a community foundation combine resources, technical expertise, and shared values, the results multiply. Through a 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," Odundo said.
Former beneficiary credits programme for business growth
Representing previous beneficiaries, Moma Renewable Energy Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Mose said the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge played a significant role in accelerating the company's growth.
She said the programme enabled the enterprise to expand production capacity, strengthen organisational systems, create additional employment opportunities for women and enhance its credibility among investors.
Mose added that the initiative's milestone-based funding model, technical mentorship and capacity-building programmes equipped young innovators with the systems, knowledge and confidence needed to build resilient enterprises capable of addressing real community challenges.
Applications open for fourth edition
Following the conclusion of the third edition, KCDF has announced that applications for the fourth edition of the newly rebranded Young Innovators Challenge (YIC) are now open under the theme "Co-designing for a Cool Planet."
Through a post shared on its official Facebook page hours after the award ceremony, the organization announced that the expanded challenge is inviting young innovators developing transformative solutions in climate action, health, education, agriculture, technology, inclusion and sustainable livelihoods to submit their applications.
Successful applicants will receive funding, mentorship, capacity building, networking opportunities and technical support to help scale their innovations and deliver measurable impact in communities across Kenya.
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the KCDF website: https://kcdf.or.ke/our-focus-areas/community-led-development/environmentalist-innovative-challenge-yeic/.
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