New SCEJU Project Launched on World Cities Day to Promote Just and Sustainable Urbanization
From Left Mary Ndugu, Slum upgrading Department (National Government), Linda Munyao CSUDP Board Member, Prof. Alfred Omenya,Technical Advisor- SCEJU Project Steering Committee, Bastion Schulz Country Representative Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Kenya Office and George Wasonga, Chief Executive Officer Civil Society Urban Development Platform.
By Aoma Keziah,
As part of World Cities Day celebrations, a consortium of non-governmental organizations launched the “Strengthening Civil Society Engagement for a Just and Sustainable Urbanization” (SCEJU) project. The three-year initiative, co-funded by the European Union and led by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES-Kenya), the Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP), and the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), aims to empower civil society to advance urban sustainability and climate resilience in Kenya.
Project Launch.
Under the theme “Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalysing Local Action for Urban Sustainability,” World Cities Day 2024 highlights youth as vital drivers for sustainable urban development. SCEJU’s launch aligns with this vision by focusing on urban informal settlements in Kisumu, Nakuru, and Makueni counties, prioritizing youth, women, and vulnerable groups.
At the project’s public launch, Bastian Schulz, FES-Kenya’s Country Representative, noted the consortium’s commitment to fostering inclusive policies and democratic processes that impact urban quality of life, climate resilience, and biodiversity.
“PACJA, CSUDP, and FES bring together diverse expertise to address long-standing challenges in water and waste management for urban communities. Through SCEJU, we are committed to amplifying the voices of vulnerable urban communities, particularly youth and women, to shape policies that ensure sustainable resource management,” said Schulz.
Despite Kenya’s Sustainable Waste Management Act of 2022, which mandates waste sorting at the household level, compliance has been limited. Reforms in the water sector have also not yet reached informal settlements effectively. SCEJU’s activities will focus on addressing these gaps by empowering marginalized communities to advocate for better access to water and waste services.
George Wasonga, CEO of CSUDP, highlighted the project’s youth-focused approach.
“The youth hold immense potential to drive change at the community level. From young waste recyclers to social media influencers, they are crucial allies in achieving sustainable water and waste solutions. We envision engaging youth across multiple sectors to promote sustainable urban growth.” Wasonga stated.
The launch underscored the need for marginalized communities to participate actively in policy discourse, an objective that SCEJU aims to advance.
“Climate justice requires that we elevate the voices of those most affected by climate change in urban informal settlements, people face daily challenges with water access and waste management, intensified by climate impacts. Through SCEJU, we aim to empower them as climate-resilient leaders. “Said Charles Mwangi, Head of Programs and Research at PACJA
The event sought to bring together project stakeholders, including youth, women, media representatives, and local authorities, to introduce the project’s goals and target areas, facilitate networking and knowledge sharing among participants, increase public awareness and attract media coverage to amplify the project’s impact.
SCEJU’s collaborative approach promises a holistic impact, addressing sustainable urbanization with an emphasis on social equity and climate resilience and by amplifying the voices of youth, women, and vulnerable populations, the project aspires to transform Kenya’s urban landscapes into inclusive and sustainable communities.
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