The Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF), in partnership with I&M Foundation, has opened applications for the Young Innovators Challenge (YIC) 2026, an initiative supporting young people and youth-led organisations developing innovative solutions to environmental and sustainable development challenges in Kenya. The programme builds on KCDF’s long-standing commitment to community-led development and youth participation. Through the 2026 challenge, a total of 16 innovators will receive support, comprising six individual innovators and 10 youth-led organisations. The initiative is designed to strengthen promising innovations, improve access to funding and technical support, and accelerate solutions capable of contributing to Kenya’s green transition. Background to the Young Innovators Challenge KCDF has championed community-led development and philanthropy since 1997, supporting initiatives that enable communities to identify and lead solutions to challenges affecting their lives and livelihoods. Kenya continues to face environmental and climate-related challenges, including environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, pollution, climate change and unsustainable use of natural resources. These challenges have significant implications for livelihoods, economic development and community resilience. At the same time, young innovators are developing solutions in areas such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, circular economy, waste management, ecosystem restoration, clean technology and environmental monitoring. However, many promising ideas face difficulties moving beyond the proof-of-concept stage because of limited financing, mentorship, business development assistance and access to strategic partnerships. KCDF established the Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge in 2023 to help address these barriers. Across the 2023, 2024 and 2025 editions, the initiative supported 17 innovators implementing solutions in environmental and sustainability-related sectors across Kenya. Young Innovators Challenge 2026 For the 2026 edition, KCDF has partnered with I&M Foundation to expand the programme’s reach and provide more innovators with funding and technical support. The programme has adopted the broader name Young Innovators Challenge to reflect its wider innovation agenda while retaining its focus on youth-led solutions addressing sustainable development challenges. The 2026 edition will support 16 innovators in total, consisting of six individual innovators and 10 youth-led organisations. The selected innovators will receive support intended to strengthen their enterprises and accelerate sustainable solutions with potential for wider adoption and impact. The finalists are expected to be unveiled in 2027. Grant Categories and Funding The challenge has two award categories. Category 1: Individual Young Innovators Six young innovators will be selected to receive grants of up to KES 1,500,000 each. This category is open to individual young people aged 15 to 35 who have developed tested and impactful environmental innovations. Groups of individuals that are not formally registered may also qualify under this category. Category 2: Youth-Led Organisations Ten youth-led organisations will be selected for grants of up to KES 5,000,000 each. Eligible applicants may include registered youth-led organisations and companies, including civil society organisations, companies limited by shares and companies limited by guarantee, provided they meet the programme requirements and demonstrate scalable sustainable solutions. Evaluation Criteria Applications will be assessed against several key criteria. Relevance and Innovation: The proposed solution should clearly address a sustainability challenge while demonstrating creativity, originality and practical application. Solutions may contribute to environmental sustainability, climate action, responsible natural resource management or community resilience. Youth Leadership and Community Impact: The innovation should demonstrate meaningful youth leadership and show potential to generate social, environmental and economic benefits, including employment, improved livelihoods, environmental stewardship and community well-being. Sustainability, Scalability and Replicability: Applicants should demonstrate how their innovation can remain viable beyond the grant period and provide a credible pathway for growth, replication or expansion. Co-Design and Stakeholder Engagement: Solutions should demonstrate collaboration with communities, learning institutions, partners or other stakeholders and reflect inclusive participation. Programme Outcomes: Strong applications should demonstrate potential to increase youth participation in sustainable development, promote sustainable practices and technologies, grow youth-led enterprises, improve livelihoods and strengthen community resilience. Eligibility and Application Timeline The challenge is open only to innovators residing in Kenya whose activities are implemented in Kenya. Applications opened on 31 July 2026 and will close on 31 August 2026. The programme plans to conduct application reviews and site visits by December 2026, with award notifications expected by January 2027. How to Apply Applicants must submit a technical application, a high-level budget and any relevant supporting documentation, including videos or photographs where appropriate. Applicants can complete the application forms online or download and complete them offline before uploading their responses. Group and organisation applicants should use the designated Group/Organisation Application Form, while individual innovators should use the Individual Application Form. The Young Innovators Challenge 2026 provides a significant opportunity for Kenyan youth and youth-led organisations developing practical solutions to environmental, climate and sustainable development challenges. Eligible innovators are encouraged to prepare their applications carefully and demonstrate the innovation’s impact, sustainability, scalability and potential to benefit communities before the 31 August 2026 deadline. 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