Stakeholders and Young innovators pose with trophies and certificates after being recognised during the launch of the fourth edition of the Young Innovators Challenge on Friday 31 July 2026 in Nairobi .
Nairobi ,Friday 31 July ,2026 – The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), in partnership with the I&M Foundation, has launched the fourth edition of the Young Innovators Challenge (YIC), expanding support for youth-led innovations that promote climate action, environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The programme, unveiled during an awards ceremony in Nairobi on Friday, will support 16 innovations comprising 10 youth-led organisations and six individual innovators through grants, mentorship, technical assistance and market linkages.
The initiative, formerly known as the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC), has also broadened its scope to include innovations in agriculture, health, education, technology, inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking during the launch, Interim I&M Bank Chief Executive Officer and Regional CEO Maina Kihara said empowering young innovators is critical to addressing climate change and driving sustainable development, noting that many innovative ideas fail to progress because of inadequate financial and technical support.
“At I&M Bank and through the Foundation, we believe a financial institution’s responsibility goes beyond financing transactions. We must help build conditions in which people, businesses and communities can thrive over the long term,” said Kihara.
He said climate change has become both an environmental and economic challenge affecting livelihoods, businesses and communities, adding that stronger collaboration among governments, development partners and the private sector is needed to nurture innovations with the potential to create lasting impact.
“Too many promising solutions remain trapped at the pilot stage because innovators cannot access patient capital, technical support and markets. We must work together to create opportunities that help these innovations grow and deliver lasting impact,” he added.
KCDF Board Vice Chair Gordon Odundo said the partnership between the Foundation and the I&M Foundation reflects the value of collaboration in empowering young people to develop practical solutions to environmental and socio-economic challenges.
“When a financial institution and a community foundation combine resources, technical expertise and shared values, the results multiply. Through this partnership, we are expanding opportunities for young innovators to transform ideas into solutions with environmental and economic impact,” Odundo said.
He said the initiative has supported youth innovators working in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, waste management, environmental monitoring and the circular economy, enabling them to create jobs while improving livelihoods and protecting the environment.
“Youth are not merely victims of climate change and environmental degradation. They are among our most capable problem-solvers, and by investing in their ideas today, we are building stronger communities and a more sustainable future,” he said.
Representing beneficiaries of previous cohorts, Moma Renewable Energy Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Yvonne Mose said the programme had strengthened the enterprise through mentorship, milestone-based funding and business development support.
“The support we received went beyond funding. It gave us the knowledge, structures and confidence to grow our business, attract new opportunities and create greater impact within our communities,” Mose said.
Applications for the fourth edition are now open under the theme “Co-designing for a Cool Planet.” Successful applicants will receive financial grants, mentorship, networking opportunities and technical support to help scale innovations that contribute to Kenya’s environmental sustainability, economic growth and community resilience.
