2023 Seed Grant Award Problem Statements

Decent Work and Education

Problem #8: Creation of Green Jobs and Employability in Nairobi's Slum Estates through Waste Management

Country/Region of execution:  Kenya

Collaborating Organization:  ChildFund International

ChildFund International began working in Kenya in 1970 and currently works with 11 local partners (LPs) spread across 26 counties out of the 47 counties, implementing 51 different projects in 26 of the 47 counties, reaching approximately 1.1 million children, families and community members through various development interventions. In FY 2021 alone, ChildFund Kenya invested US $10.6 million in programs aiming to realize long-term, sustainable change for children and youth. Core sector programming focused on child protection, household economic strengthening, early childhood development, education, WASH, food security, emergency response, health and nutrition, climate change, and resilience building. Kenya’s current strategy sees us supporting and contributing to this vision and mission through our work with and for children in all stages of their lives.

Problem Statement Description:  Like many African countries, Kenya is currently faced with the opportunity and challenge of a so-called ‘youth bulge.’ Youth aged 15 to 35 years form about 35% of the country’s population. Over 5 million youth are unemployed or inactive in the labor force¹.  Kenya’s unemployment is mainly attributed to slow growth, weak labor absorptive capacity of the economy, and skills mismatch. Most youths are vulnerable and underemployed in the low-paying informal Jua Kali sector in urban areas. The problem of youth unemployment is not unique to Kenya. It is a globally recognized epidemic so universal that Goal 8 of the SDGs notes the importance of generating ‘decent jobs’ for young people.