Seven youth-led green enterprises in KSh5 million each as KCDF opens new innovation challenge

Across Kenya, young entrepreneurs are turning environmental challenges into opportunities by developing solutions that reduce waste, protect ecosystems and create sustainable livelihoods.

From recycling waste materials to improving access to clean water and promoting environmentally friendly technologies, these emerging enterprises are demonstrating how innovation can drive both climate action and economic growth.

To support these efforts, the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), in partnership with the I&M Foundation, recognised seven youth-led enterprises under the third cohort of the Young Environmental Innovators Challenge (YEIC) and launched applications for the programme’s fourth cohort.

The initiative aims to identify and support young people aged 15 to 35 who are developing practical solutions to environmental challenges while building businesses that contribute to sustainable development.

The seven winning enterprises Bio Rege Earthworks, Eco Bora, Eco Build G, Fibretext Green Paper Ltd, M Water Technologies Ltd, Queening Afrika, and Twende Green Ecocycle- each received KSh5 million to scale their innovations, strengthen their enterprises, and expand their impact across Kenya.

KCDF Expands Opportunities for Green Innovators

Speaking during the event, KCDF Executive Director Grace Maingi said the fourth cohort will continue building a pipeline of young innovators whose ideas address pressing environmental challenges while creating employment opportunities.

She announced that applications are now open for the next cohort, targeting innovators aged between 15 and 35 from across the country.

Maingi said YEIC supports solutions addressing challenges such as food waste, plastic pollution, deforestation and carbon emissions, with some innovators also adopting artificial intelligence to improve efficiency and increase the reach of their solutions.

“The Young Environmental Innovators Challenge demonstrates that young people are not just affected by environmental challenges; they are also developing practical solutions that respond to these challenges while creating opportunities for communities,” she said.

She noted that the latest awardees represent the creativity and determination of Kenyan entrepreneurs and expressed confidence that the support provided would enable them to grow their businesses beyond their current locations.

“Environmental innovation is not only about protecting nature. It is also about building enterprises that create jobs, improve livelihoods and contribute to a more sustainable economy,” Maingi said.

She called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector and development partners to help innovators access finance, markets and technical support.

Maingi also urged policymakers to create an enabling environment for emerging technologies by streamlining licensing processes for innovations such as biofuels and strengthening support for AI-driven solutions.

As KCDF prepares for the fourth cohort, she said the organisation hopes to attract more applicants from underserved regions, particularly northeastern Kenya, to ensure that young people with promising ideas from across the country have opportunities to participate.

“Our goal is to ensure that promising solutions can emerge from every part of Kenya and that innovators have the support they need to turn ideas into sustainable enterprises,” she said.

YEIC Builds a Pipeline of Environmental Leaders

For the KCDF Board, the growth of YEIC represents the impact of investing in young people who are developing solutions to some of Kenya’s most urgent environmental concerns.

KCDF Board Vice Chairperson Gordon Odundo described the initiative as more than a funding programme, saying it is a platform that nurtures ideas, builds capacity and creates opportunities for young people to contribute to sustainable development.

“YEIC represents more than a funding programme. It is an investment in young people whose ideas are helping to address some of Kenya’s most pressing environmental challenges while creating opportunities for communities and future generations,” he said.

Odundo said that over the past three years, participants have developed solutions in areas including clean energy, waste management, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity conservation and the circular economy.

He noted that these innovations are creating jobs, supporting livelihoods and demonstrating that young people are not only responding to climate challenges but are also leading the search for solutions.

“The progress we have witnessed demonstrates that young people have the creativity, determination and ability to develop solutions that can transform communities,” he said.

Congratulating the seven awardees, Odundo said their recognition reflects the strength of their ideas and commitment to creating lasting impact.

He encouraged the winners to use the opportunity to continue refining their solutions, expanding their businesses and inspiring other young people to pursue environmental innovation.

Odundo attributed the programme’s achievements to the partnership between KCDF and the I&M Foundation, saying collaboration between philanthropy, the private sector and community institutions is essential in advancing sustainable development.

He noted that the partnership extends beyond YEIC through initiatives that support environmental conservation, empower young environmental champions and strengthen community-led action.

“Our partnership with the I&M Foundation continues to demonstrate what is possible when different sectors work together around a shared vision,” he said.

Supporting Enterprises That Benefit Communities and the Environment

I&M Foundation Executive Director Dorine Nalo said the partnership with KCDF reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting young people who are creating solutions that address environmental concerns while generating economic opportunities.

She said the Young Environmental Innovators Challenge aligns with the Foundation’s four pillars of education, economic empowerment, environmental conservation and enabling livelihoods.

“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, but it also presents opportunities for innovation. Across Kenya, young people are proving that they can create practical solutions through green enterprises and ideas that respond to local needs,” Nalo said.

She commended KCDF for ensuring that innovators receive more than financial support, noting that mentorship and technical assistance are critical in helping businesses grow and become sustainable.

Nalo said the Foundation remains committed to expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs by working with KCDF and other partners to support the next generation of environmental leaders.

“As we launch the fourth cohort of the Young Environmental Innovators Challenge, we look forward to seeing more young people transform their ideas into sustainable businesses that benefit communities and protect the environment,” she said.

Turning Innovation Into Long-Term Impact

Officially launching the fourth cohort of the Young Environmental Innovators Challenge, I&M Group PLC Regional CEO Maina Kihara said the programme has grown into an important platform for identifying and supporting young people whose ideas are addressing Kenya’s environmental challenges.

He said YEIC demonstrates the potential of youth-led innovation to create solutions that benefit communities while contributing to the country’s sustainability goals.

Congratulating the seven winners, Kihara described the initiative as more than a competition, saying it recognises courage, rewards creativity and invests in the next generation of environmental leaders.

“This programme celebrates young people who are choosing not to wait for change but to create it. It is about recognising courage, rewarding innovation and investing in the next generation of environmental leaders,” he said.

To further support the growth of the winning enterprises, Kihara announced that I&M Bank would provide the seven winners with transaction-free banking services for their first year to help them establish and manage their businesses.

He challenged county governments to develop similar initiatives that support innovators at the local level, noting that solutions to environmental challenges can emerge from every part of the country.

Kihara said climate change is already affecting communities through changing weather patterns, declining agricultural productivity, water shortages, flooding and increasing pressure on natural resources. As a result, he said environmental action must be connected to economic development, technology and community resilience.

“Innovation is not only about protecting the environment. It is about finding better ways to produce, consume, build and grow sustainably,” he said.

While acknowledging the creativity of young entrepreneurs, Kihara noted that many promising ideas struggle to move beyond the pilot stage because innovators often lack access to patient capital, markets, technical expertise and strategic partnerships.

He urged businesses and institutions to support emerging enterprises by creating market opportunities and becoming consumers of locally developed solutions.

“Supporting innovators goes beyond financing. We must help connect them to markets and create an environment where their ideas can grow into sustainable businesses,” he said.

Highlighting I&M Foundation’s wider environmental investments, Kihara said the Foundation has supported the restoration of 1.5 million mangroves in Kwale County, helping strengthen coastal ecosystems, improve climate resilience and support local livelihoods.

He also noted that the Foundation has invested more than KSh180 million in restoring Ngong Road Forest through initiatives including fencing, tree planting and support for forest rangers.

Looking ahead, Kihara said the partnership between KCDF and I&M Foundation will continue combining financial support with mentorship, capacity building and market linkages to ensure promising innovations become sustainable enterprises.

“Kenya’s sustainable future will be built through partnerships between government, the private sector and civil society. By investing in young environmental innovators today, we are investing in stronger communities, a healthier environment and a more resilient future for our country,” he said.

The launch of the fourth YEIC cohort marks another step in expanding opportunities for young Kenyans to turn environmental challenges into solutions that create jobs, strengthen communities and contribute to a greener economy.