Our Story

Empowering Youth for Sustainable Urban Futures

Youth and Urbanism is a dynamic, youth-led organization dedicated to transforming urban informal settlements into thriving, inclusive, and resilient communities. Founded on the principles of empowerment, sustainability, and community-driven change, we focus on amplifying the voices of young people in urban planning, climate action, and humanitarian response. Operating primarily in Nairobi's Mathare slums, our work addresses generational challenges such as environmental degradation, youth unemployment, climate injustice, and limited access to education and resources.

Over the years, we've evolved from humble volunteer beginnings into a structured force for good, partnering with local and international organizations to create lasting impact. Our journey reflects the passion of our founder, Edwin Odhiambo, an Environmental and Urban Planner with a degree from Kenyatta University. Edwin's vision stems from his deep-rooted experiences in community work, where he witnessed firsthand the disparities faced by urban youth.

• As CEO and Head of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (PMERL), Edwin leads a dedicated team including June Alfreds (Head of Programs and Media/COO), Anthony Kwemoi (Head of Production), Ruth Sure (Head of Grants and Finance/CFO), and Chelsea Johanes (Executive Secretary).
• Together, we've raised over $60,000, collaborated with more than seven partners, engaged 30+ volunteers, and implemented over 10 programs and five key initiatives in just a few short years.

Youth and Urbanism Team

Below, we trace our evolution—from our formative learning phase to our ambitious plans for the future—highlighting key milestones, challenges, and triumphs that have shaped who we are today.

The Learning Phase – Roots in Mathare Slums

Our story begins in the bustling, resilient community of Mathare, one of Nairobi's largest informal settlements, home to over 200,000 people facing daily struggles with poverty, pollution, and limited opportunities. Edwin Odhiambo, fresh from his studies in Environmental and Urban Planning at Kenyatta University, volunteered with community-led organizations here. Immersed in the realities of urban poverty, he worked on grassroots initiatives addressing sanitation, education, and youth empowerment.

These early experiences were eye-opening. Edwin saw how young people in Mathare—often overlooked and marginalized—possessed immense potential to drive change. Volunteering taught him the power of community work: simple acts like organizing clean-ups along the polluted Mathare River or mentoring youth in leadership skills could spark hope and transformation. It was here that the seeds of Youth and Urbanism were planted. Edwin discovered his passion for giving back, inspired by the resilience of slum residents and the urgent need for youth-centric urban solutions. This phase was about learning the ropes—understanding the intersections of urbanism, environmental justice, and youth development—and building a foundation of empathy and action.

• Key Milestone: Edwin's volunteer work highlighted the rural-urban nexus, where migration from rural areas exacerbates urban challenges like overcrowding and resource scarcity.
• This insight would later inform our core mission: creating cities that are safe, inclusive, and supportive for children and young people.

The Transition – Embracing Experimentation and Independence

As the world grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit informal settlements like Mathare particularly hard, Edwin felt a calling to create tailored solutions for his generation. In 2020, the idea for Youth and Urbanism first emerged as a response to the growing crises facing urban youth: unemployment, climate vulnerabilities, and social inequities amplified by lockdowns and economic downturns.

This period was marked by transition and bold experimentation. Edwin and a small group of like-minded young activists launched informal initiatives, testing ideas in real-time. They organized virtual workshops on sustainable urban living, distributed essential supplies during the pandemic, and advocated for youth inclusion in local decision-making. Enterprises like early prototypes of urban media platforms and entrepreneurship challenges were piloted, each making incremental impacts—such as providing skills training to dozens of young people or raising awareness about water justice in slums.

Challenges abounded: limited funding, logistical hurdles due to restrictions, and the need to adapt quickly. Yet, this era fostered a spirit of resilience and innovation. We learned that youth-led solutions must be flexible, community-driven, and focused on long-term empowerment. By 2021, these experiments had touched hundreds of lives, proving the viability of our approach and setting the stage for formalization.

• Key Milestones:
• Piloted youth entrepreneurship programs, inspired by global challenges like the ImaGen Ventures Youth Challenge, where Edwin later served as a mentor.
• Engaged in early advocacy for sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), emphasizing child-friendly urban spaces.
• Built initial networks with partners like UNICEF Kenya and Hivos, laying groundwork for future collaborations.

Agenda Setting – Institutionalizing for Greater Impact

By 2022, it was clear that fragmented efforts needed structure to scale. Drawing from the 2020 vision, we formally institutionalized Youth and Urbanism as a registered organization. This pivotal decision allowed us to consolidate resources, attract funding, and address core questions: How can urban youth lead climate resilience? How do we bridge gaps in education and employment in slums?

Institutionalization brought professionalism: We established our website (youthandurbanism.org), assembled a core team, and defined our values—lasting impact, openness, accountability, and commitment. Early programs focused on urban planning advocacy, such as pushing for inclusive policies in Nairobi's informal settlements. We participated in events like the Reproductive Health Network Kenya (RHNK) conference, discussing youth SRHR (Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights) amid urban challenges.

This year was about setting the agenda: Prioritizing youth voices in urban governance and climate action. We began documenting stories through emerging media initiatives, amplifying narratives from Mathare to global audiences.

• Key Milestones:
• Official registration and launch, marking our shift from ad-hoc initiatives to a structured entity.
• Early involvement in protests and advocacy, including discussions on government accountability during Kenya's youth-led movements.
• Expanded volunteer programs, engaging young people in leadership training and community projects.

The First Strategic Plan – Building Momentum Through Programs

With a solid foundation, we rolled out our first strategic plan in 2023, focusing on scalable programs that aligned with our mission. This period saw explosive growth: We implemented seven flagship initiatives, raised significant funds, and partnered with organizations like Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA), Hivos, and the African Development Bank. Our work in Mathare intensified, addressing floods, pollution, and education disruptions caused by climate events.

We empowered over 30 volunteers and reached thousands through community actions. Highlights include participation in the Africa Youth Climate Assembly (AYCA) in 2023, where Edwin represented us, advocating for youth-led climate solutions. In 2024-2025, we responded to devastating floods in Mathare, distributing food relief, school supplies, and leading humanitarian efforts.

Detailed Programs: Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA), Mathare River Restoration, Nature Based Solutions, Urban Online Media, Youth-led Humanitarian Response, Study Bags Program, and Climate and Care.

• Key Milestones:
• Raised $60,000+ and collaborated with 7+ partners.
• Edwin's keynote at the Children Climate Disaster Risk Model (CCDRM) launch in 2024.
• Flood relief in Mathare (2024-2025), aiding hundreds with food and education support.
• International recognition, including features in CDKN articles on African youth voices.

Strategic Plan Implementation – Aiming for Lasting Impact

Looking ahead, our second strategic plan builds on past successes to create enduring change. By 2030, we aim to expand our reach beyond Nairobi, influencing urban policies across Kenya and Africa. Focus areas include scaling programs like Mathare River Restoration nationwide, deepening VCA partnerships for global advocacy, and innovating in green entrepreneurship to combat youth unemployment.

We'll prioritize: Scaling Impact, Policy Advocacy, Global Collaborations, and Sustainability. Achieve our $1,000,000 fundraising goal to fund satellite farms, media expansions, and humanitarian tech innovations.

• Future Vision:
• Replicate successful models in other slums, targeting 100,000+ youth through expanded hubs and challenges.
• Push for youth-inclusive urban planning laws, emphasizing climate justice and SDG alignment.
• Strengthen ties with UNICEF, Hivos, and new partners for cross-continental exchanges.