Activities

What We Do

Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu engages in various projects and activities focused on empowering the community and driving positive change.

Our main objective at Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu (IYI-K) is to empower youth in Kisumu by equipping them with skills, knowledge, and resources to address critical societal challenges. Through our four key programs—Environmental Education, Girls Empowerment, Food Security, and Youth Digital Skills—we strive to promote sustainable development, gender equality, food security, and digital innovation, fostering a future where young people drive positive change in their communities.

Empowering Communities, Fostering Change, Building a Better Future: Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu (IYI-K)

Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu (IYI-K) stands at the forefront of youth empowerment, driving sustainable development, gender equality, digital innovation, and food security. As a dedicated community initiative, our mission is to equip Kisumu’s youth with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to address societal challenges and lead transformative change.

Through impactful programs, our holistic, community-driven approach fosters innovation, leadership, and environmental stewardship, ensuring that young people play an active role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Environmental conservation remains central to our work as we strive to create a greener, healthier Kisumu. With integrity and collaboration as our guiding principles, we build meaningful partnerships that uplift communities and create lasting impact.

At IYI-K, we envision a Kisumu where empowered youth drive change, fostering a society that is just, equitable, and resilient for generations to come.

 

CLIMATE

Problem

Kisumu’s informal settlements, such as Obunga and Nyalenda, are at the forefront of climate vulnerability, grappling with environmental degradation, pollution, and extreme weather conditions that disproportionately impact marginalized communities. Women and youth in these areas bear the brunt of climate disasters, from increased air pollution due to unregulated waste disposal and industrial emissions to flooding that displaces families and heightens the risk of waterborne diseases. Limited access to environmental education, sustainable waste management systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure exacerbates these challenges, leaving young people without the necessary knowledge and resources to mitigate environmental hazards.

Research highlights the critical role of youth and women in combating climate change, as their education and leadership can significantly contribute to climate adaptation and sustainable development. However, without targeted interventions, Kisumu’s slum communities remain highly vulnerable to environmental crises, lacking the tools and support needed to build climate resilience.


Solution

At Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu (IYI-K), we are committed to empowering Kisumu’s youth as environmental stewards, fostering a culture of sustainability and climate resilience in informal settlements such as Obunga, Manyatta, and Nyalenda. Through our Environmental Education – “Green Youths, Green Future” program, we implement climate awareness initiatives, tree-planting drives, waste management training, and school-based environmental clubs to instill a sense of responsibility and action among young people.

We have already launched community-led tree-planting and cleanup initiatives in collaboration with schools and youth groups, actively promoting greener and healthier living spaces. Our vision is to expand these programs to reach more schools, community centers, and informal settlements across Kisumu, ensuring that young people are equipped with practical skills and knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges.

By incorporating interactive workshops, hands-on conservation activities, and partnerships with local environmental organizations, we aim to cultivate a generation of climate-conscious youth who can advocate for sustainable urban development, proper waste management, and ecosystem restoration. Through these efforts, IYI-K empowers Kisumu’s youth to take the lead in environmental conservation, fostering long-term resilience in their communities.


Through interactive sessions and hands-on experiences, students will gain a profound understanding of the impact of climate change and the importance of environmental preservation. "Together, we empower Kisumu’s youth as climate champions, transforming slums into thriving, sustainable communities for a greener and more resilient future."

GIRLS EMPOWERMENT-"Strengthening Girls, Transforming Communities"

Problem
In Kisumu’s informal settlements, women face overwhelming economic hardships that hinder their ability to provide for their families and break the cycle of poverty. Limited access to capital, financial education, and income-generating opportunities forces many women into economic dependency, making them vulnerable to exploitation, gender-based violence, and unstable livelihoods. Without sustainable solutions, marginalized families remain trapped in poverty, unable to access education, healthcare, or better living conditions.
Solution

At Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu (IYI-K), we are committed to empowering women and girls as economic changemakers, equipping them with the financial resources and skills needed to achieve financial independence and uplift their communities. Our Girls Empowerment Program focuses on providing:

a) Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment

  • Provide training on financial literacy, savings, and investment to foster long-term economic stability.

  • Support women in investing in small businesses, education, and income-generating activities by connecting them with potential funders, donors, and market opportunities. Through strategic partnerships, we strive to create access to resources that empower women economically.

b) Entrepreneurship and Skills Development

  • Offer business training workshops to equip women with skills in microenterprise development, agribusiness, and market access.

  • Connect women with mentors and successful entrepreneurs to guide them in building sustainable businesses.

c) Digital Inclusion and Education Access

  • Train women in basic digital literacy to enable them to access financial services, business resources, and educational content.

d) Community Support and Leadership Development

  • Create women-led community support networks to foster collaboration, peer mentorship, and advocacy.

  • Organize leadership and empowerment workshops to encourage women to take active roles in community development and decision-making.

Through this initiative, Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu envisions a future where women in Kisumu’s informal settlements achieve financial independence and economic empowerment, enabling them to uplift their families and communities. By creating access to resources, education, and leadership opportunities, we break the cycle of poverty and foster a more inclusive and equitable society where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.
"When women rise, communities flourish—empowering one woman transforms generations."

FOOD & AGRICULTURE-"Empowering Youths For a Sustainable Food Future"

Problem
In Kisumu’s informal settlements and surrounding rural areas, food insecurity remains a pressing challenge, with many families struggling to access nutritious meals due to unsustainable agricultural practices, lack of farming knowledge, and limited access to resources. Young people, despite being a crucial part of the workforce, often lack opportunities to engage in sustainable food production. The situation is worsened by poor soil management, inefficient land use, and climate change, leading to low crop yields, post-harvest losses, and unreliable food supply chains. Without proper training and support, Kisumu’s youth are unable to tap into agriculture as a viable means of employment and food security, further exacerbating poverty and malnutrition in the region
Solution

At Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu (IYI-K), we are committed to addressing food insecurity by empowering young people with agricultural skills and knowledge to engage in sustainable farming. Through our Food Security – “Youths for Food Sustainability” program, we provide:

a) Agricultural Training Programs

  • Hands-on training in organic farming, post-harvest loss management, recycling, and reusing farm resources to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.

  • Partnerships with local agricultural experts and NGOs to deliver specialized training on improving farm productivity and climate-smart agriculture.

b) Youth-Run Urban Gardens

  • Encourage youth to establish small-scale gardens, including vertical gardening, soil management, crop rotation, and water conservation techniques to maximize productivity in limited spaces.

  • Promote efficient land use to create sustainable food production models in urban and peri-urban areas.

c) Partnerships with Local Smallholder Farmers

  • Facilitate mentorship programs with experienced farmers, allowing youth to learn traditional and modern farming techniques.

Encourage knowledge-sharing networks where young farmers gain expertise in sustainable agriculture, agribusiness, and food supply chain management.
Through this initiative, Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu envisions a future where Kisumu’s youth become key drivers of sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security, economic independence, and environmental conservation. By promoting indigenous and resilient seed systems, we strengthen crop diversity and enhance agricultural resilience.

Collaborating with local communities, we advocate for climate-smart and inclusive agricultural policies that safeguard the environment and improve livelihoods. Through our planned Seeds of Resilience Initiative, we aim to replace industrial seed varieties with native seeds, fostering biodiversity and long-term food security. By cultivating youth-led agricultural cooperatives, we empower the next generation to lead the way toward sustainability.

"Together, we cultivate a future where youth-led agriculture feeds families, strengthens communities, and drives sustainable development.

DIGITAL SKILLS EMPOWERMENT-"Digital Youths, Digital Future"

Problem
In the Nyanza region, especially in remote areas, marginalized women, girls, and youth face significant barriers to accessing digital skills education. Limited resources, illiteracy, and lack of access to technology deepen the digital divide, leaving them unprepared for the modern job market and entrepreneurial opportunities. Without digital skills, many remain trapped in unemployment and unable to fully participate in an increasingly interconnected world. Bridging this gap is essential to ensuring inclusive growth, innovation, and economic empowerment.
Solution

At Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu, we strive to drive transformative change by equipping marginalized women, girls, and youth with essential digital skills. Our vision is to provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the digital world with confidence.

Through targeted programs, we aim to enhance access to digital resources and opportunities, bridging the digital divide. By conducting tailored digital skills training workshops, we empower underserved communities to leverage technology for education, employment, and economic growth.
By equipping Kisumu’s youth with essential digital skills, Integrated Youths Initiative-Kisumu seeks to cultivate a generation of tech-savvy individuals ready to access global job markets, launch successful businesses, and drive technological innovation. Through accessible training programs, mentorship, and strategic partnerships, we ensure that all young people—regardless of their background—have the opportunity to thrive in the digital age.

"Empowering youth with digital skills today builds a future of innovation, opportunity, and economic growth."

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