What we run
Two programmes so far: the Youth Climate Innovation Challenge for founders building solutions in informal settlements, and BeGreen Africa for young people running green waste businesses. Both sit under the five pillars below.
Youth Climate Innovation Challenge
An incubator for youth-led green startups, from clean energy to waste tech, focused on solutions for informal settlements. Winners receive seed funding, six months of expert mentorship and a route to market.
- prize pool
- KES 500K
- young innovators
- 300
- months of mentorship
- 6
- Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)
- Flood Resilience & Urban Drainage
- Renewable Energy & Sustainable Infrastructure
BeGreen Africa
A multi-partner green entrepreneurship programme for youth aged 18–35 in Kenya's waste management sector — 846 jobs created, ~USD 2.7M revenue generated, and 29.9M kgs of waste managed.
- jobs created
- 846
- revenue growth
- ~7×
- kg of waste managed
- 29.9M
Mentored enterprises created 531 jobs, against 104 without mentorship.
Where the work fits
Every programme, event and resource on KYCH serves at least one of these.
- 01
Youth Climate Leadership & Advocacy
Training Kenya's next climate negotiators, county advocates, and movement leaders to influence policy at every level.
- 02
Climate Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Incubating youth-led green startups, from clean energy to waste tech, through the Youth Climate Innovation Challenge.
- 03
Climate Finance & Opportunity Access
Connecting young Kenyans to grants, fellowships, competitions, and jobs that match their climate ambitions.
- 04
Capacity Building & Knowledge
Equipping young people with the skills, data, and tools to lead climate action through trainings and digital resources.
- 05
Partnerships & Ecosystem Building
Building bridges between youth, government, NGOs, development partners, and the private sector.
Build it with us
New programme cycles are announced on the funding board, alongside grants, fellowships and competitions open to young Kenyans now.