Introduction
The Strengthening Civil Society Engagement for a Just and Sustainable Urbanization (SCEJU) Project, co-funded by the European Union, is transforming Kenya’s informal settlements through sustainable water and waste management (SWWM), community-led innovation, and inclusive governance. As Kenya’s cities grow—over 60% of the urban population now resides in informal settlements—there is an urgent need to integrate these communities into national climate resilience strategies and policy frameworks.
Implemented by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-Kenya), the Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP), and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), SCEJU empowers 6,000 women and 4,500 youth in Kisumu, Nakuru, and Makueni Counties to shape sustainable urbanization and climate justice from the ground up.
Empowering Local Actors to Drive Change
At the heart of SCEJU lies a commitment to building local leadership. Through targeted capacity-building, digital advocacy, and community-based waste management initiatives, the project positions women and youth as key agents of change in Kenya’s urban landscape.
George Wasonga, Project Coordinator at the Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP), emphasizes:
“Our goal is to transform informal settlements into hubs of innovation, where youth and women lead solutions in sustainable water and waste management and climate justice.”
SCEJU’s work aligns with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, ensuring local action reinforces national and global climate commitments.
Strengthening Governance and Institutional Resilience
While Kenya’s Sustainable Waste Management Act (2022) sets ambitious targets for waste segregation and recycling, challenges remain in effectively reaching informal settlements. SCEJU bridges this gap by collaborating with county governments to develop and implement County Integrated Solid Waste Management Plans (CISWMPs) that reflect the needs and priorities of underserved communities.
By integrating civic voices into waste and water governance frameworks, SCEJU promotes accountability and aligns with constitutional guarantees under Articles 42 and 43, ensuring every Kenyan has the right to a clean and healthy environment.
Harnessing Women and Youth Innovation
SCEJU recognizes that sustainable urban development flourishes when local innovation is prioritized. Through YoSUDA (Young Sustainable Urbanization Digital Activists), the project supports youth-led digital campaigns, waste-to-resource enterprises, and creative content that advances the circular economy.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-Kenya) brings expertise in governance and participatory training, while PACJA ensures that climate justice principles inform every intervention. This collaborative approach transforms plastic waste from an environmental burden into an economic opportunity, advancing Kenya’s shift towards a circular economy.
Aligning Local Action with Global Commitments
SCEJU’s design ensures that grassroots initiatives contribute directly to Kenya’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. By empowering communities to implement sustainable water and waste management (SWWM) strategies, SCEJU strengthens climate resilience in urban areas often overlooked in policy frameworks.
PACJA highlights that integrating plastic pollution solutions into urban planning is key to building climate-resilient cities and fulfilling Kenya’s climate obligations.
Towards Just and Sustainable Cities
SCEJU envisions a future where women and youth are not only participants but leaders in sustainable urbanization. By aligning local governance structures with community-driven initiatives, the project demonstrates that urban resilience is built on inclusivity, innovation, and equity.
Through the combined efforts of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-Kenya), Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP), Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), and the crucial co-funding by the European Union, SCEJU is pioneering pathways to climate-just, circular, and sustainable urban communities in Kenya.
Conclusion
The SCEJU Project exemplifies how urban sustainability is achieved through participatory governance, community empowerment, and innovative solutions. By investing in the capacities of youth and women in Kenya’s informal settlements, SCEJU is laying the foundation for cities that are environmentally sound, socially inclusive, and economically resilient.