Young Innovators Challenge 2026

The Young Innovators Challenge 2026, run by the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) in partnership with I&M Foundation, supports youth-led innovations that address Kenya’s environmental and sustainability challenges.

What it offers

• Category 1 (Individuals): Up to KES 1,500,000 per award for tested and impactful environmental innovations.
• Category 2 (Organisations): Up to KES 5,000,000 per award for registered youth-led organisations with scalable sustainable solutions.
• A total of 16 awards will be given: 10 to organisations and 6 to individuals.
• Finalists will be announced in 2027.

Who can apply

• Individuals: Youth aged 15–35, including unregistered groups, with tested environmental innovations.
• Organisations: Registered youth-led entities such as civil society organisations or companies limited by shares or guarantee.
• Applicants must reside in Kenya and implement their solutions in Kenya.

How to apply

• Submit via the provided links:
  • A technical application
  • A high-level budget
  • Any supporting documents (e.g., videos or pictures)
• Applications can be completed offline using downloadable forms and then uploaded.
• Applications open: 31st July 2026
• Applications close: 31st August 2026
• Information session: 19th August 2026 at 10:00 am

Good to know

• Evaluation criteria include relevance, innovation, youth leadership, community impact, scalability, and stakeholder engagement.
• The programme aims to strengthen enterprises and accelerate scalable solutions contributing to Kenya’s green transition.