KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund

Last week, IFC - International Finance Corporation's Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) successfully hosted a Waste Management Workshop in Kakuma, bringing together over 100 key stakeholders from the National government, County Government of Turkana, private sector entities, Community-Based Organizations and development partners. The workshop aimed to develop a comprehensive Waste Management Action Plan for Turkana West. Participants engaged in productive discussions, identified key gaps, and explored collaborative opportunities to improve waste collection, treatment, and recycling practices across the region. “This initiative not only creates economic opportunities but also lays the groundwork for innovative uses of waste as a resource,” said Deputy Governor H.E. Dr. John Erus in his opening remarks. This effort aligns with KKCF’s commitment to sustainability and to meeting IFC Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability. A special highlight of the workshop was the presentations from our KKCF-supported businesses: Sanivation, TakaTaka Solutions, The WEE centre, Kalobeyei Main Medical Clinic, and Hydroponics. These enterprises showcased their innovative approaches to managing plastic waste, sewage, and e-waste in Kakuma, setting a path for a more sustainable future in the region. We extend our heartfelt thanks to H.E. Dr. John Erus, Deputy Governor of Turkana County, for his leadership throughout the workshop, along with the active participation of all attendees, which has been critical in shaping a cleaner, healthier environment for refugees and host communities. We would also like to thank our generous donors: European Union, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken, KfW, and FCDO Services. Your support of KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund makes initiatives like the Waste Management Workshop possible, driving sustainable development in Turkana West.

𝐏𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲. The Kakuma and Kalobeyei settlements in Turkana West host approximately 300,000 refugees predominantly from the Great Lakes region and Sudan. Despite the myriad of challenges faced in the region, refugee communities have established Community Based Organisations that work to improve the socio-economic development of the region. They do this by creating spaces to nurture talents, provide capacity building programs for budding entrepreneurs and provide innovative opportunities for people to earn a living. Over the last few years, DOT Glasses has been working with and supporting CBOs, like this week’s #TbTs, Kalobeyei Initiative for Better Life (KI4BLI) and Solidarity Initiative for Refugees (SIR). These partnerships have a double bottom line: the CBOs support entrepreneurs to start innovative businesses - like becoming DOT Glasses distributors - that improve their self-resiliency and earning capacity; and the CBOs sell glasses in their local communities, which improves their sustainability, allowing them to continue providing programs and pay-it-forward, while increasing access to much-needed eye care services in refugee and host communities. This is made possible by the DOT Glasses Model: training non-eye care professionals to test and distribute glasses, and our optical shop in a bag that means service provision can be taken right to the people who need it most. Ultimately, the circularity that DOT Glasses promotes contributes to improving socio-economic development and social inclusion in Turkana West.  Kalobeyei Initiative for Better Life (KI4BLI), Solidarity Initiative for Refugees (SIR), UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Humanity Hands, Jesuit Refugee Service, Kenya Red Cross, KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund, Maak Impact

It was such an honor and exciting moment to host Ashden delegates in Turkana Kakuma. The team was led by Ashden CEO Ashok Sinha for a three day tour visit to our cookstoves and Briquettes production facility in kakuma and Thika main office. We are so grateful for their support and walking with us throughout the journey of providing clean energy solutions to the refugees and host communities.USAFI GREEN ENERGY LIMITEDKKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund

Invasive juliflora prosopis weed has encroached over 34,000 acres in Northern Kenya Asal region affecting nearly 60% of the pastoralist land that depends on livestock for livelihood. We empower communities in Turkana by providing skills on briquette making through cutting the weed and converting into reusable fuel. KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge FundUNITED BRIQUETTES PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION OF KENYAKakuma Vocational CenterKALOBEYEI INITIATIVE 4 BETTER LIFE

Our work involves vigorous artisanal manual work to have an end to end improved silver Bora cookstoves. Earlier this year we hosted the Ashden delegate from the UK to our Kakuma facility to see the impact our team is putting forward on access to clean cooking solutions. Apparently our facilities can produce a maximum of 100 pieces of cookstoves a day with a market demand size deficit of 200 pieces a day. More partnership and collaboration is a key driving factor to help us acquire automated equipment so as to meet the demands.Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK)UNHCR, the UN Refugee AgencyKKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge FundClean Cooking Alliance (CCA)

🌟 Local Innovation, Global Impact 🌟 At Renewvia, we are continually inspired by the power of local initiatives to drive significant global impact. A prime example of this is our partnership with Yelele, a remarkable mini-grid owned and operated by Francis Ngimusia, a visionary entrepreneur from Turkana, Kenya. 🌍 Under Francis' leadership, this cornerstone of community development and empowerment in Turkana has become more than an energy provider; it's a source of pride and progress for the local community. This impactful project is supported by the generous funding from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, AECF, KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund, IFC - International Finance Corporation, an Agence Française de Développement, whose contributions have been pivotal in bringing renewable energy solutions to underserved communities. 🌱 As part of our recent transaction with SteelFab, Inc., we are thrilled to include Mini-Grid Carbon Credits (MCCs) generated by Yelele. These credits are certified through Renewvia's rigorous processes, adhering to international standards while supporting grassroots renewable energy projects. 💡 Francis’ dedication to sustainable energy solutions and community upliftment exemplifies the potential of local enterprises to contribute meaningfully to global sustainability goals. By integrating these projects into the broader carbon credit market, Renewvia helps ensure that local heroes like Francis receive the recognition and economic benefit they deserve. 🤝 We are proud to support Yelele and are committed to empowering similar initiatives across the globe. It's through partnerships like these that we can turn local action into worldwide impact, one community at a time. #solarprogress #sdg7 #renewableenergy #renewableinvestment #cleanenergy #carboncredits #SteelFab #steelfabrication #corporatedecarbonization #kenya #minigrids #ruralelectrification #energyaccess #offgridsolar

In Kenya's Kakuma-Kalobeyei #Refugee hosting area, entrepreneurs are running thriving businesses and supporting their families and community with funding and guidance from IFC's KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund. These business owners are not just meeting local needs but are also playing a crucial role in driving economic growth in the region. Karabugira Jean runs a succesful shop inside #Kenya’s Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee hosting area, growing his business with financial and training support from the program. The benefits of his business extend to his family and community. #KakumaVoices #WorldRefugeeDay

On this #WorldRefugeeDay, we recognize the strength, courage, and resilience of millions of refugees around the globe. Today reminds us of our collective responsibility to support and empower those forced to flee their homes in search of safety and a better life. Through the KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF), funded by the IFC - International Finance Corporation, we are pioneering an effort to foster private investment and unlock the economic potential of refugees and their host communities in Kenya's Turkana County. KKCF's innovative approach addresses immediate humanitarian needs while focusing on sustainable development and long-term economic growth. By enabling businesses to invest in the Kakuma Kalobeyei region, KKCF creates jobs, improves livelihoods, and fosters economic independence among refugees and their hosts.

In Kenya's Kakuma-Kalobeyei #Refugee hosting area, entrepreneurs are running thriving businesses and supporting their families and community with funding and guidance from IFC's KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund. These business owners are not just meeting local needs but are also playing a crucial role in driving economic growth in the region. Karabugira Jean runs a succesful shop inside #Kenya’s Kakuma-Kalobeyei refugee hosting area, growing his business with financial and training support from the program. The benefits of his business extend to his family and community. #KakumaVoices #WorldRefugeeDay

Congratulations to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on launching PROSPECTS 2.0 in Kenya today to enhance socio-economic integration between refugees and host communities. The PROSPECTS Partnership is an example of how a coalition of humanitarian and development partners, and the private sector, can work together to generate innovative solutions to support refugees and host communities.    Phase 2 (2024-2027) of the PROSPECTS Partnership will focus on 4 key areas: 📖✏️Education and learning 📈📊Economic Inclusion 👦🏾👧🏾Child Protection and Social Protection 🏗️🚰Critical Infrastructure   IFC - International Finance Corporation would like to acknowledge the other PROSPECTS Partners The World Bank, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, UNICEF, International Labour Organization, as well as the Government of Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and National Administration, County Government of Turkana and County Government of Garissa, for their support in building the economic resilience of refugees and their host communities in Kenya. KKCF - Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund