KE-NCB-21805120120102-SYVYear1 Action For Sustainability Initiative 1.1 Description of the action The action will be supported by a consortia of 7 civil society organisations, each bringing unique expertise: lead applicant Barnfonden (BF), co-applicants WeWorld Kenya Foundation (WWKF), action for Sustainability Initiative (AFOSI), the youth- led organisations, Organisation of African Youth (OAY) and Stretchers Youth Organisation (SYO), Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) and affiliated entity We World GVC ONLUS (WW-GVC). The development of this initiative has drawn on the collective experience of the consortium members, including two youth-led organizations and others with deep expertise in working with youth across their respective technical fields. This was supplemented by a context analysis and needs assessment carried out in Nairobi and Kwale by the consortium partners during April/May 2024 as well as results, lessons learned, and best practices gathered from previous and on-going projects in the same wards and counties. It references the specific challenges and opportunities present within Kenya's socio-economic landscape, particularly in relation to youth empowerment and the green and digital transitions. Key contextual factors have been analysed to ensure the action's relevance and effectiveness to Kenyan youth and their ambitions in the green and digital space. In Kenya, youth unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges, especially for the most vulnerable groups such as women and people with disabilities. Despite being a youthful nation with a large working-age population, 70% of Kenyan youth face barriers to meaningful employment and participation in the economy[1]. They also face restrictions in participating in social and political dialogues to influence policy. This action is an opportunity to address this as the country increasingly recognises Project Goal: To contribute to strengthening the capacity and voice of Kenyan civil society as independent actors of accountability, governance and development in the areas of social and economic inclusion for youth in Kenya. Objectives: 1. To Promote meaningful participation, empowerment and leadership of Kenyan youth and youth-led organisations in Kwale and Nairobi in the twin green by 2028. Outputs: OUTPUT 1. EMPOWER AND CONNECT: Young people, especially marginalised and vulnerable groups, have enhanced their knowledge, leadership and interpersonal abilities for economic empowerment in the green and digital economy. 2. OUTPUT 2. ENGAGE AND CONNECT: Youth and youth-led organisations are actively engaged in policy design and decision-making and on social and political dialogue on social inclusion and economic opportunities for youth, with a focus on green and digital economies. 3. OUTPUT 3. CONNECT: Youth and youth-led organisations are engaged in social and inclusive entrepreneurship and income generating activities, strengthening their network on green and digital economies. The target groups of the action will be: 5,875 young people (15-29 years old) (60% women, 3%PWD) being students, representatives of YLOs/YSOs, workers or NEET, that will be targeted by the action, selected as vocal and interested/engaged in politics and green transitions at community, county and national level and deeply rooted in Nairobi and Kwale Counties at the grassroots level. Needs and constraints: This group faces high unemployment. Other constraints include, 1) limited opportunities for skills development and engagement in decision-making processes; 2) they lack mentorship to ensure sustainability of their enterprises; 3) they often lack resources and platforms to voice their concerns and contribute to their communities. Youth with disabilities suffer additional constraints, as they 4) face systemic exclusion in education and employment. How the action will address these needs: as a key focus of the Action, they will receive: 1) training (technical and soft skills, including advocacy for policy platforms) and 2) mentorship, 3) networking and connection with other youth and YLOs, participation to forums/councils, CoP, Youth Policy Hub and access to digital platforms like Kiongozi to increase their Political Participation, as well as participation to events with decision makers and private sectors to become change-makers in their communities. 4) For PwDs, the action will create accessible digital content and platforms, providing specialized training and resources, and advocating for greater inclusion in community and workplace settings. Through this, employment opportunities will also open. 25 Technical & Vocational Education & Training (TVET) tutors (40% women) from at least 2 educational institutions. TVET tutors have expressed interest in greening the TVET curriculum to include sustainability topics, including on green and digital solutions. Needs and constraints: There is a need to, 1) improve and update 'green and digital trainings’ in the TVET curriculum and 2) strengthen Tutors’ capacities to teach on the digital and green transition. How the action will address these needs: Tutors will be involved in 1) enhancing the TVET/VCT curriculum by integrating green skills, digital literacy and solutions, sustainability principles, and critical thinking in line with UNESCO guidelines and Kenyan ESD policy. They will also, 2) participate as ToTs, to be upskilled with the greened TVET curriculum, digital competencies and AI integration. 15 Entrepreneurship Education & Training (EET) facilitators/providers (60% women), interested in strengthening their knowledge on green and digital economic issues, and in developing education/employment/ training proposals in line with this. Needs and constraints: EET providers will be supported to, 1) update their training proposals in line with the digital and green transition and the demands of young people, specifically on entrepreneurship education for youth-owned social enterprises and advocacy training for Youth Led Organisations. How the action will address these needs: EET facilitators/providers will be involved in, 1) ToT on Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET) on digital and green economy and advocacy leadership for training providers, in line with EU youth work guidelines; 2) disseminating to learners and the wider community the information/knowledge acquired. 25 Youth Led Organisations (YLOs)/Community-based organisations (CBOs) / Civils Society Organisations (CSOs) and informal youth networks (including PwD groups), working with youth, youth-led and women’s associations. This group will benefit from capacity-strengthening Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP). Needs and constraints: These organisations suffer from 1) weak capacity and technical competence in project management and in developing quality proposals; poor knowledge about green and digital transitions and how to capitalise on ideas; lack of financial resources. They also have weak capacity and opportunity to participate in policymaking to advocate against social, physical and psychological barriers to youth and women’s inclusion. How the action will address these needs: The action will 1) foster their operational capabilities and expand their reach, thanks also to the continuous mentorship on effective project management and sustainability strategies; it will 2) support them through idea generation and delivery of FSTP projects, and 3) strengthen their networks to be more cohesive and coordinated in order to make their actions more relevant, and to increase their individual and collective voices as representatives of civil society in the climate change and digital transition debate. 95 youth owned social enterprises engaged in, among other things, urban farming, food systems and agribusiness (green transition) and in gig economy/freelancing (digital transition). Needs and constraints: Youth-owned social enterprises face several challenges that hinder their scalability, including 1) lack of access to technological information, 2) lack of adherence to system standards by suppliers, legal and regulatory authorities, which create barriers and hinder youth led MSMEs from participating in the sector. How the action will address these needs: The youth-owned social enterprises will benefit from 1) training on how to integrate digital and green transitions into their social enterprise, 2) incubation and mentorship to develop their enterprises in line with necessary standards. PwDs will receive tailored support. 40 Social Media Influencers, including grassroots media journalists, engaged with youth communities, and with potential to amplify project messages. Needs and constraints: Social media influencers are 1) interested in human stories and topics that can foster youth empowerment and sensitise the public; they need 2) factual data for posting, commercialization of their social media platforms, internet connectivity, protection against online bullying and trolling, and safety from government surveillance and harassment. How the action will address these needs: The social media influencers will be engaged in the awareness raising activities and will contribute to mobilize youth around shared issues and to reach the most marginalised youth in remote areas. Barnfonden We world Stretchers Youth Organisation Organisation of Africa Youth Kenya Climate Innovation Centre: KCIC Action For Sustainability initiative European Union AFOSI Programs Esther Kiilu Project Manager ekiilu@afosi.org https://afosi.org/ Kwale and Nairobi Counties Kwale and Nairobi Counties Sheria ya Vijana aims to strengthen the capacity and voice of Kenyan civil society, particularly youth and youth-led organizations to lead and participate meaningfully in the country’s green and digital transitions. The action focuses on youth empowerment through skills development, civic engagement, and entrepreneurship, while promoting inclusive governance and policy influence. The project targets young people aged 15–29 and creates platforms for their leadership in environmental sustainability, digital innovation, and social inclusion. Activities include: Youth Co-Designed Training for the Green and Digital Economy Youth Co-Designed Training on Digital Skills, Leadership, Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship. The project will co-develop innovative, youth-tailored Training programs in collaboration with young people and youth-led organizations. These Trainings will build critical skills in digital literacy, green technologies, sustainability principles, and inclusive leadership. The Training will use AI-infused tools to provide real-time insights and personalized learning experiences, enabling youth to actively engage in the green and digital economy as informed leaders, workers, and entrepreneurs. Greening and Digitizing TVET and EET Curricula Enhancement of TVET and EET Curricula with Green and Digital Content through collaborative efforts with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and Entrepreneurship Education and Training (EET) providers to integrate green economy principles and digital innovation into existing curricula. This includes adding modules on climate-compatible skills, digital tools, critical thinking, and sustainable business models, ensuring that educators are equipped to prepare youth for emerging economic opportunities. Youth Apprenticeships and Mentorship for Real-World Impact Establishment of Youth Apprenticeships and Mentorship Platforms to bridge the gap between Training and employment. This will be achieved through the establishment of structured Green and Digital Economy Apprenticeships. These will offer mentorship, incubation, and networking opportunities with companies, professionals, and startups. Youth will gain hands-on experience through internships, including AI-driven projects, connecting them directly to labor markets and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Youth Policy Labs and Civic Engagement Platforms Youth-Led Policy Labs, Local and National Youth Forums, and Simulation Parliaments. The project will create platforms for youth civic engagement through local County Youth Forums (CYFs), National YouthForums (NYF), and Policy Labs. In these spaces, youth will co-create solutions to challenges in social inclusion and economic development, particularly around the green and digital transitions. A National Youth Parliament Simulation will allow youth to debate on policy issues, present proposals, and gain experience in political processes. Winning proposals will be presented to real policymakers. AI-Powered Tools for Transparency and Accountability Development of AI-Powered Tools to Promote Accountability and Policy Engagement. Youth-led design and development of online, AI-powered tools will enable digital participation in governance. These tools will allow young people to submit views on key policy issues, track the flow of public funds, and monitor the implementation of youth welfare initiatives. This digital accountability system will promote transparency,citizen oversight, and inclusive decision-making. Green Tech Innovation Bootcamps and National Youth Forums Green Tech Innovation Bootcamps and Kenya Youth Green & Digital Economy Forums. The project will organize bootcamps focused on generating youth-led solutions to environmental challenges such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management. These award-based events will support the incubation of green tech innovations. Additionally, annual Kenya Youth Green and Digital Economy Forums will bring together youth, universities, the private sector, and development partners to foster partnerships, secure funding, and spotlight youth innovations. Art and Culture for Inclusion and Advocacy Art-Based Campaigns on Gender Equality, Disability Inclusion, and Youth-Friendly Policies. The project will support youth to design and lead inclusive advocacy campaigns using art and culture such as digital artistry, traditional painting, photography, and creative media to promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and youth-responsive policymaking. These campaigns will amplify marginalized voices, challenge harmful norms, and foster social cohesion, especially within the context of the twin transitions. 22532175 8500000 5000000 reach 5876 youth Indicator 1 to Outcome: Percentage of target youth (disaggregated by sex and disability) confirming to have acquired more leadership capacities and empowerment in the twin green and digital transitions. At least 290 (young) people whose skills and/or knowledge are strengthened with EU support for participation in consultations and At least 6 active sub-County Youth Forums, of which 100% are meaningfully engaged in influencing policy, impacting social inclusion and business environment within the county/national level (2028). 1.1 Number of training schemes / programmes on green economy developed with support of the EU-funded intervention (OPSYS indicator). 1.2 Indicator 3 for Output 1 Number of youth that have strengthened their capacities on topics such entrepreneurship, leadership, and advocacy tailored to the digital and green economies. KE-NCB-21805120120102-YVL Action For Sustainability Initiative Unheard to Influential: AI-Powered Youth Advocacy is an innovative initiative designed to dismantle systemic barriers that exclude marginalized young people,particularly young women living with HIV and those with disabilities,from decision-making spaces. This project leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital advocacy to amplify their voices, ensuring their lived experiences inform policies at national, regional, and continental levels. By utilizing AI-driven data collection and analysis, the project will identify patterns of discrimination, track policy implementation, and generate real-time insights to enhance advocacy efforts. This evidence-based approach will empower youth advocates to engage policymakers with concrete, data-backed demands for policy and programming reforms. The project will also create AI-powered storytelling platforms and digital engagement tools to enable hard-to-reach youth to share their experiences anonymously, breaking stigma and fostering a strong, collective voice. Interactive chatbots and virtual mentorship programs will connect marginalized youth with advocacy training, leadership development, and strategic guidance. Additionally, AI-assisted media tracking will monitor government commitments and public sentiment, holding power holders accountable. By integrating cutting-edge technology with grassroots mobilization, Unheard to Influential ensures that marginalized youth are not just heard but actively shape the policies that impact their lives. This initiative will foster stronger collaborations between African youth and the diaspora, creating a unified, tech-driven movement advocating for systemic change at all levels of governance. Empower marginalized youth through capacity-building on advocacy, leadership, and AI-driven digital engagement. Influence policy reforms by facilitating structured dialogues with policymakers and key stakeholders. Foster inclusivity and representation in decision-making spaces through storytelling and strategic campaigns. young women living with HIV and those with disabilities Restless Development National Coordinator Programs Esther Kiilu National Coordinator (+254) 0115 963 306 info@afosi.org https://afosi.org/ 10000 5000 5000 KE-NCB-21805120120102-MATH-Project Action For Sustainability Initiative Children and young people realise their rights through increased knowledge and strengthened resilience within their communities, ensuring their well-being, protection, participation, and equal access to a healthy and sustainable environment By 2029, children and young people demonstrate improved knowledge and are actively engaged as environmental stewardship actors and advocates in their schools and communities. By 2029, there isa responsive and enabling policy environment is in place that upholds children’s and young people’s rights to a clean, safe, and healthy environment in their schools and communities children and youth in Mukuru and Kibra urban informal settlements. 60 APBET schools. Barnfonden Pioneer Child Development Program Organisation National Coordinator Programs Esther Kiilu National Coordinator info@afosi.org Mukuru and Kibra 151692.31 151692 68793 MATH project 1st Disbursement 82899