The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Kenya continues to invest in youth-led transformation through its Youth Leadership and Environment Program, equipping young people with the skills, values, and opportunities needed to become ethical leaders and agents of sustainable change across Kenya. Implemented in partnership with the Chandaria Foundation, the President’s Fellowship – Chandaria Legacy Award Program has emerged as an influential platform for nurturing values-based leadership, strengthening civic participation, and advancing environmental stewardship among young people from all 47 counties of Kenya.
The initiative aligns with the vision of the Global Peace Foundation of building peaceful and cohesive societies rooted in the principle of One Family under God. Through mentorship, experiential learning, and practical leadership training, the program empowers youth to address pressing social challenges while contributing to sustainable development within their communities.
Building Youth Capacity Through Proposal Development Training
Public Participation and County Planning & Budgeting Training group photo
One of the program’s key interventions in April 2026 was a Proposal Development Training held under the President’s Fellowship – Chandaria Legacy Award. The training equipped 64 young leaders with practical skills in proposal writing, project design, and resource mobilization.
The training responded to a significant capacity gap identified among participants. Baseline findings revealed that more than 63 percent of respondents lacked knowledge of proposal development, while over 76 percent had never successfully accessed funding for their initiatives. Through practical coaching, real-time mentoring, and structured proposal development exercises, participants gained the confidence and technical skills needed to develop competitive and results-oriented proposals.
For many participants, the experience marked a turning point in their leadership journeys.
“Before attending the training, I was in the process of establishing a mental health program in my community, but one of the greatest challenges I faced was securing adequate funding to support the initiative,” shared Iteyo Khaisia. “Through the fellowship training, I gained practical skills in developing structured, persuasive, and results-oriented proposals. As a result, I have now been able to prepare strong proposals that are currently under consideration for support.”
Similarly, Elizabeth Mokaya described the program as transformative in strengthening her professional and community development skills.
“The training helped me learn how to plan projects more strategically by carefully defining goals, preparing realistic budgets, and identifying measurable results before implementation,” she said.
“I now feel more confident in my ability to contribute to development initiatives and help bring lasting change to my county.”
For Flora Cherop Ngurialuk, Director of KAPCHIKATAT CBO, the program strengthened her ability to translate grassroots challenges into sustainable development interventions.
“The training equipped me with practical skills to design clear, compelling, and results-oriented proposals that can effectively communicate community needs to potential donors and development partners,” she noted. “I now feel better prepared to mobilize resources, build partnerships, and lead initiatives that can drive meaningful and lasting change within my community.”
The training also attracted emerging young leaders like Kelvin V. Mbithi, who emphasized the program’s role in helping youth move from ideas to action.
“The President’s Fellowship – Chandaria Legacy Award has done more than teach me proposal writing; it has given me the tools to move from vision to action, and from passion to lasting impact,” he said.
Advancing Youth Participation in Governance and Civic Leadership
GPF Program Manager Mr. Vincent Ayako led a high-level panel discussion on “Partnerships: Collaboration for Impact” as part of #YouthSDGsWeek2026
Beyond technical training, the program also strengthened youth engagement in governance and civic participation.
On April 23, 2026, GPF Kenya partnered with I Choose Life Africa to facilitate a youth training forum in Machakos County under the SEALS Program. More than 30 youth from multiple counties were trained on county planning, budgeting processes, public participation, and anti-corruption practices.
Led by Mr. Vincent Ayako, youth leadership and environment program manager at GPF Kenya, the initiative enhanced young people’s understanding of governance systems and strengthened their capacity to participate meaningfully in transparent and accountable development planning.
The program further reinforced its commitment to youth-centered development during #YouthSDGsWeek2026 held at the Kenya School of Government. During the national convening, Mr. Vincent Ayako participated in a high-level panel discussion on “Partnerships: Collaboration for Impact,” which explored the importance of inclusive partnerships, youth-friendly financing mechanisms, and greater youth participation in decision-making processes.
The engagement brought together more than 300 youth from across Kenya’s 47 counties and highlighted the growing need for development models rooted in shared ownership, accountability, and sustainable impact.
Expanding Environmental Stewardship Through School-Based Tree Nurseries
Construction begins at St. Peter’s Senior School’s tree nursery
The program also continued advancing environmental stewardship through the Chandaria Tree Nurseries Initiative.
In partnership with the Chandaria Foundation, GPF Kenya commenced the construction of a KES 1.2 million tree nursery at St. Peter’s Senior School, Ndalu, in April 2026. The project marks the 22nd tree nursery established under the initiative since 2022.
To date, the program has established 21 tree nurseries across 17 counties, directly benefiting 19 schools nationwide. The initiative supports Kenya’s national target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032 through a structured model consisting of 60 percent indigenous trees, 30 percent fruit trees, and 10 percent exotic species.
By actively involving students, teachers, and communities in environmental restoration efforts, the initiative is nurturing a generation of environmentally conscious young leaders committed to environmental resilience and sustainable development.
A Growing Movement of Youth-Led Transformation
Through leadership training, civic engagement, environmental action, and mentorship, the Youth Leadership and Environment Program by GPF Kenya demonstrates a holistic approach to peacebuilding and sustainable development. The program continues to cultivate a growing network of empowered young leaders equipped not only with knowledge and technical skills, but also with the ethical grounding and sense of responsibility needed to transform their communities.
Discover more about the Global Peace Foundation’s Youth Leadership Development initiatives, which empower young people around the world to become ethical, innovative, and service-driven leaders creating lasting positive change in their communities and beyond.
