Green skills initiative offers lifeline to refugees in Kenya

International aid reductions – initially driven by the US government under Donald Trump and followed by other Western donors – have significantly affected vulnerable populations, particularly refugees in Africa.

Kenya, one of the countries hosting large numbers of refugees, has seen a dramatic rise, with a UN World Food Programme (WFP) report from May 2025 noting a 70 per cent increase in refugees and asylum seekers over the past five years, from approximately 500,000 to 843,000. Many are fleeing violence and environmental crises in neighbouring countries like South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Kakuma Refugee Camp in north-western Kenya, established in 1992 during Sudan’s civil war, now hosts over 300,000 refugees, making it one of the largest camps in the world. However, it is also in one of the country’s most arid regions, where access to basic necessities like water and cooking fuel is limited.

The WFP has warned that ongoing funding gaps are forcing reductions in food assistance, posing serious threats of hunger and malnutrition. The organisation has also halted its cash transfer programme, which previously enabled refugees to buy essentials beyond food rations.
With fewer resources, both refugee and host communities are struggling to meet daily needs, especially for cooking fuel, which is now expensive and scarce.

Green Youth 360 –  teaching sustainability through innovation

In light of these challenges, the Green Youth 360 initiative is making an impact. Launched in July 2023, the project is a collaborative venture between the Qatar-based NGO Education Above All, Kenya’s Girl Child Network, and the Kenyan government. It promotes green skills training among youths in refugee and host communities, focusing on renewable energy, waste management and tree planting.

One refugee in Kakuma, who identified himself only as Patrice, shared how the project has helped his family of eleven adapt. “We now use a custom-made energy-saving stove and no longer have to buy firewood,” he said. These stoves, built from clay and scrap metal, burn eco-friendly briquettes made from sawdust and recycled paper.

Youth engagement in environmental stewardship

Local resident Peter Ekai, a father of eight, has also embraced the initiative. His son, Emmanuel, is among thousands of participants who are taking part in tree planting activities. So far, the family has planted 19 trees around their home to help reduce local temperatures and improve forest cover.
“This place is very hot,” said Emmanuel. “Planting trees helps mitigate climate change.”

According to a 2024 report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), titled Ground for Peace, climate-related disasters like droughts and floods are fuelling conflict and social instability. The report stresses the link between environmental degradation and long-term peace and development.

Government officials are also supporting the initiative. Timothy Ochura, a county representative of the Teachers Service Commission, said the programme aligned well with Kenya’s competency-based curriculum.

“When you want to help someone, you don’t just give them fish –you teach them how to catch fish,” he noted. “This project imparts both knowledge and practical skills.”

Under Green Youth 360, dozens of teachers have been trained as facilitators to guide students and extend these skills to the wider community. So far, 45,000 youths out of a target of 76,800 have received training in 60 public primary and secondary schools in and around Kakuma.

Modest funding, significant impact

While the three-year project has a relatively modest budget of USD 7.1 million, its focus on resilience, environmental education and self-reliance is vital, particularly amid dwindling international support. The project is scheduled to continue until June 2026, with similar efforts underway at the Daadab Refugee Camp in north-eastern Kenya.

Acknowledging the scale of the crisis, Tareq Bakri, an international programmes specialist at Education Above All, noted:
“We realise that Green Youth 360 can never be an answer to all the needs, but we hope it goes a long way in responding to critical areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

About the Author:
Kudzanai Musengi is a Zimbabwean freelance journalist. He has reported for global outlets including AFP, the Financial Times and Voice of America. Kudzanai recently visited Kakuma Refugee Camp as part of a media delegation assessing the Green Youth 360 project.