ChildFund launched the Regreening Africa project to counter the impacts of climate change and improve the resilience and adaptability of youth, women, and children in Makueni, and Kajiado counties.

The Kshs. 13 million project, funded by Dow, brings together partners to work with youth and women to establish tree nurseries as sustainable income-generating enterprises and to mitigate climate change. Youth and women are trained to manage commercial fruit and agroforestry tree nurseries, with seedlings sold to schools, individuals, and communities. This initiative supports reforestation, promotes environmental conservation, and fosters the development of green communities. The nurseries grow fruit trees such as avocados, oranges, mangoes, and moringa, contributing to both environmental and socio-economic benefits.

Goal

Mitigating the impact of Climate Change and improving the resilience and
adaptability of women and children in Makueni and Kajiado Counties.

• Objective 1
  Mitigate the effects of climate change by enhancing reforestation and environmental conservation through the establishment of Moringa and fruit tree nurseries in the three counties of Makueni and Kajiado counties.
• Objective 2
  Promote Employment for Youth and Women by engaging them in tree nurseries as business enterprises. Program activities will also promote youth
  leadership and advocacy in environmental conservation.
• Objective 3
  Promote long-term environmental responsibility through the
  establishment of environmental clubs like Aflatoun in schools and training of young children to be champions in advocating for green environments.

Dow (NYSE: DOW) is one of the world’s leading materials science companies, serving customers in high-growth markets such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer applications. Dow’s global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation, leading business positions and commitment to sustainability enables the company to achieve profitable growth and help deliver a sustainable future. Dow operates manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,900 people.

Learn more at www.dow.com

County Governments of Nairobi, Makueni and Kajiado

Role: Coordination and support to tree planting and regreening activities through support to community tree nursery groups through tree nursery materials support, training and institutional linkages for sustainability. The county governments also support in annual budgetary allocation to county CIDPs and programs supporting tree seedlings production and regreening initiatives linking to policies supporting regreening initiatives ensuring sustainability in tree planting and regreening programs aligned to county and national tree planting programs.

Matonyok Organization

Role: Establishment of model tree nurseries with high value trees by engaging women and youth community tree nurseries by training on tree nursery establishment and management techniques (including grafting), tree seedlings production, tree seedlings market linkages and institutional linkages.

Emali Dedicated Children’s Agency

Role: (EDCA) EDCA is ChildFund’s local implementing partner linking the project to existing community groups and stakeholders implementing and adopting livelihoods and food security programs for Regreening project leveraging which has led accelerated uptake of Regreening project interventions.

• Makueni
• Kajiado

By March 2025, the Regreening Africa Project is set to redefine the environmental and socio-economic landscape of Makueni and Kajiado counties.

In the face of accelerating climate change, the project envisions a future where women, youth, and children lead the charge in building resilience and adaptability. Through a series of impactful initiatives, the project will counter the impacts of climate change while empowering communities.

Key activities include:

• Establishing fruit tree nurseries: Women and youth will spearhead the creation of fruit tree nurseries as sustainable income-generating enterprises. The nurseries will produce fruit trees such as avocados, oranges, and mangoes, as well as agroforestry species like Moringa, contributing to reforestation and environmental conservation efforts.
• Youth empowerment through skills training: Youth will be trained to operate commercial fruit and agroforestry tree nurseries. These nurseries will supply seedlings to schools, individuals, and communities, enhancing reforestation and green spaces. The sales of these seedlings will provide a steady source of income for participating youth.
• Promoting food security and nutrition: Fruit and agroforestry trees will address household food security and nutrition gaps. Increased access to fruits and nutritious crops will contribute to the health and well-being of children and their families.
• Training and support for sustainability: Women and youth will receive ongoing training to sustain the nurseries and maximize their potential for supplemental income.
• Establishing learning centers: Learning centers will promote the replication and sustainability of the project across the region. These centers will help communities build resilience to climate vulnerabilities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.