INFORMATION NOTE & GUIDE TO APPLICANTS

All interested applicants are encouraged to carefully read and fully understand these guidelines before attempting to complete the application forms. Failure to strictly follow the guidelines may result in incomplete or rejection of submitted proposals.

Background of the Fund

The world continues to face ecological threats that if no actions are taken, will lead to a global environmental crisis. Environmental conservation calls for collective solutions that are integrated into day-to-day activities for sustainability.

There is a need for environmental conservation champions to mobilize their communities to act and contribute to solving the challenges experienced while enhancing their livelihoods and supporting access to education.

Young Environmentalist Innovative Challenge (YEIC) is an environmental innovation fund established by KCDF through the generous gift of Mackenzie Scott with the aim of developing action-oriented young people with strong values and commitment to the conservation of the environment. The Challenge fund is inviting submissions of innovative ideas and solutions that will inculcate the spirit of environmental conservation and sustainable management of resources among children and Young in their various communities helping nature and building the targeted children and Young to be future champions of the environment.

The challenge will provide funding to young people, community groups, and organizations to propose an environmental conservation intervention that provides livelihoods for the community and enhances access to education while ensuring community engagement. The ideas and solutions will support communities to become more resilient and adapt to climate change ensuring equality in access to a healthy environment, especially the vulnerable communities.

About the Call

This is the 1st public call for applications to the KCDF YEIC fund. The award will be given to young people, community groups, or organizations that will present innovations that demonstrate passion and commitment to environmental conservation. Environmental innovation should have an impact on access to education and livelihood enhancement. The applicant must demonstrate their ability to successfully mobilize people and provide leadership in environmental advocacy.

The effects of climate change affect the whole community and therefore, the innovative ideas proposed will ensure optimal community engagement for sustainable environmental conservation and thus adapting to climate change.

Education is an important tool for integrating any form of transformation. This challenge calls for a solution that will integrate environmental conservation with access to education at any level while ensuring that young people contribute to environmental conservation and still attain their education outcomes.

Environmental conservation measures that enhance the livelihoods of the communities present opportunities for sustainable development. The proposed solutions, therefore, should ensure that community members have enhanced livelihoods that will enable them to assess and address livelihoods shocks.

Goal:

The goal of the Challenge is to increase the participation of Young (in and out of school) to protect, restore and promote climate change adaptation measures and sustainable management of natural resources.

Objectives:

1. To inculcate the spirit and practice of environmental awareness and conservation among children and Young in learning institutions and out of school (the community)
2. To promote environmental conservation practices and sustainable use of natural resources for communities led by young people.
3. To strengthen the capacity of organizations serving young people and those led by young people to implement environmental innovations that promote sustainable livelihoods and enhance education access.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Improved livelihoods through enhanced adoption of sustainable environmental conservation practices among targeted communities in Kenya.
2. Increased adoption of environmental practices that enhance access to education and inculcate a culture of environmental conservation among young people.
3. Increased awareness and leadership among marginalized communities in promoting sustainability in environmental conservation.
4. Increased capacity of targeted communities to address livelihoods shocks and adapt to environmental challenges resulting from climate change.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Ability to demonstrate the environmental conservation project(s) they have started or have been involved in and how those initiatives have impacted people in their community, in ways that have improved education access, enhanced livelihoods, and the fund’s goal of increasing resilience and adapting to climate change.
2. The innovation should be original and creative.
3. The applicants must demonstrate realistic plans for the sustainability of the innovation.
4. Financial and operational capacity: The applying entities must demonstrate individual or collaboration ability to implement.

YEIC GRANT SIZE AND DURATION

Project Duration: The proposed project must be completed within 12 to 24 months after signing the grant agreement for support with KCDF.

Total Grant Sizes:

Young Environmental Champions (Individuals): Grants of between Ksh.800,000 to Ksh.1,500,000

Young Environmental Groups/Organizations: Grants of between Ksh.3,000,000 to Ksh.5,000,000

How to Apply

Application – All applications are to be submitted through the application links below also available on the KCDF website. You will be required to submit the technical application and high-level budget. You can also attach relevant documents including videos and pictures.

To apply, click on the below links:

1. Group/Organization Application Form
2. 2. Individual Application Form

Important Dates

1. Launch of the Challenge: 6^th July 2023
2. Deadline for Submission of Proposal: 3^rd August 2023
3. Screening & Review: By 31^st August 2023
4. Notification of Awards & Agreements Signing: By 15^th September 2023
5. Disbursement of Grant: By end of September 2023