Climate change & Governance

Our Climate Change & Environmental programming in Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, andMigori counties focus on practical, community-driven, and tailored to local realitiessuchas Lake Victoria ecosystems, flooding, droughts, declining fish stocks, and vulnerablelivelihoods.This are achieved through the programs that focuses on:

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)

Goal: Improve food security and resilience for farmers
Activities:

  • Train farmers on drought-resistant crops (sorghum, millet, cassava)
  • Introduce drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems
  • Establish demonstration farms and farmer field schools
  • Promote kitchen gardens for nutrition at household level

2. Water Resource Management &FloodControl

Goal: Reduce vulnerability to floods and water scarcity
Activities:

  • Construct rainwater harvesting systems (tanks, pans, dams) Rehabilitate and protect wetlands and riparian zones
  • Develop community drainage systems in flood-prone areas
  • Drill and rehabilitate boreholes and shallow wells
    Train communities on water conservation and hygiene
  • Establish early warning systems for floods

3. Environmental Conservation & Reforestation

Goal: Restore degraded ecosystems and increase carbon sinks
Activities:

  • Community tree planting campaigns (schools, farms, public land)
  • Establish tree nurseries (youth and women-led) 
  • Promote agroforestry practices
  • Restore Lake Victoria shoreline vegetation
  • Protect forests and reduce illegal logging
  • Introduce payment for ecosystem services

4. Clean Energy & Green Technologies

Goal: Reduce deforestation and emissions from energy use
Activities:

  • Distribute improved cooking stoves to households
  • Promote solar home systems and solar irrigation
  • Support biogas production for Schools
  • Train communities in making eco-friendly briquettes
  • Facilitate green enterprise

5. Climate-Resilient Fisheries & Blue Economy

Goal: Protect Lake Victoria livelihoods and biodiversity
Activities:

  • Promote fish cage farming and aquaculture
  • Introduce modern fish preservation methods (solar drying, smoking kilns)
  • Support alternative livelihoods (beekeeping, poultry)
  • Train fisherfolk on sustainable fishing practices
  • Strengthen Beach Management Units (BMUs) capacity

6. Climate Governance, Advocacy &Education

Goal: Strengthen community participation and policy influence
Activities:

  • Conduct community climate awareness campaigns
  • Establish school climate clubs
  • Train youth and women climate champions
  • Support county climate change units and policies

7. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

Goal: Reduce impacts of climate-related disasters
Activities:

  • Establish community disaster response teams
  • Train on first aid and emergency preparedness
  • Develop community disaster management plans
  • Install early warning and communication systems
  • Pre-position emergency supplies

8. Green Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment

Goal: Build climate-resilient incomes for vulnerable groups
Activities:

  • Support green enterprises (recycling, briquettes, eco-products)
  • Train youth in climate-smart business skills
  • Promote table banking and savings groups
  • Provide seed funding or revolving funds
  • Link beneficiaries to markets and value chains

9. Climate Data, Innovation & Technology

Goal: Improve decision-making using data and innovation
Activities:

  • Use mobile apps for climate/agriculture advisories
  • Pilot AI and digital solutions for weather prediction and farming
  • Build community data systems for climate tracking
  • Partner with universities and research institutions

GOVERANCE AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

1. Leadership Capacity Building

- Leadership training workshops
- Mentorship programs
- Conflict resolution and negotiation skills

2. Governance & Accountability Strengthening

- Training on governance principles
- Public participation forums
- Anti-corruption awareness campaigns
- Strengthening oversight committees and boards

3. Civic Education & Citizen Engagement

- Civic education campaigns on constitutional rights and responsibilities
- Voter education and electoral participation awareness
- Community dialogue between citizens and leaders
- Advocacy skills development for grassroots communities

4. Youth & Women Leadership Empowerment

- Youth leaders boot camps and innovation hubs
- Women leadership and political participation training
- Gender equality and inclusion workshops
- Support for youth-led initiatives and community projects
- Leadership competitions and debates

5. Institutional Strengthening

- Building capacities of grass root CSO, youth & women groups (on board governancetraining, strategic planning & organizational development, Development of
governance policies, M&E training and internal control)

6. Peace building & Inclusive Leadership

- Inter-community dialogue forums
- Peace building and cohesion workshops
- Early warning and conflict prevention systems
- Training on inclusive leadership
- Mediation and