Background
The Strengthening Civil Society Engagement for a Just and Sustainable Urbanization (SCEJU) project is a transformative three-year initiative (2024-2026) aimed at addressing challenges related to sustainable water and waste management in urban informal settlements across Kenya. Co-funded by the European Union, the project is implemented by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-Kenya), the Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP), and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA).
Operating in Kisumu, Nakuru, and Makueni Counties, SCEJU seeks to empower youth, women, and grassroots organizations to actively participate in decision-making and advocacy efforts for improved urban sustainability. The project aligns with Kenya’s Constitution (Articles 42 and 43), the National Water Act (2016), and the Sustainable Waste Management Act (2022) to ensure sustainable solutions for communities most affected by climate and environmental injustices.
Project Rationale and Objectives
Residents of informal settlements continue to grapple with significant challenges in sustainable water and waste management, despite constitutional provisions guaranteeing these rights. Youth and women in these communities are disproportionately affected, yet they often lack the capacity and platform to advocate for policies that serve their interests.
This project aims to strengthen responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative governance in sustainable waste management and climate justice across Makueni, Kisumu, and Nakuru Counties.
Key Project Outputs
- Capacity building & advocacy – Strengthened skills and knowledge among civil society actors, grassroots organizations, youth, women, and communities to drive sustainable water and waste management initiatives.
- Policy engagement & research – Enhanced informed policy dialogue and dissemination of research on sustainable water and waste management.
- Community awareness – Increased awareness among youth and women on sustainable water and waste management practices.
- Opportunities for engagement – Expanded opportunities for youth and women-led civil society actors and grassroots organizations to actively participate in sustainable water and waste management initiatives within urban informal settlements.
Why SCEJU?
Despite constitutional guarantees for sustainable water and waste management, urban informal settlements continue to suffer from environmental degradation, poor sanitation, and exclusion from policy processes. Women and youth, who bear the greatest burden of these challenges, lack the necessary capacity, representation, and resources to influence policies that directly impact their livelihoods.
SCEJU bridges this gap by equipping civil society actors with skills, platforms, and opportunities to advocate for sustainable solutions. By strengthening governance, amplifying voices, and fostering digital activism, the project ensures that communities play a leading role in shaping the future of urban sustainability.
Key Focus Areas
SCEJU addresses urban sustainability challenges through three key pillars:
Project Pillars:
- Capacitation: Empowering Vulnerable Groups
- Innovation: Stimulating Sustainable Practices
- Advocacy: Influencing Policy: Enhancing policy dialogue and research on sustainable water and waste management.
Our Impact
- 6,000+ women and 4,500+ youth empowered to lead community-driven waste and water management solutions.
- 3,000 digital activists using social media to amplify community concerns and hold policymakers accountable.
- Stronger multi-stakeholder engagement between grassroots organizations, government bodies, and civil society.
- Evidence-based policy recommendations shaping county and national urban sustainability frameworks.
