By Lorraine Anyango .
Kisumu County is preparing to utilize a 136.5 million Kenyan shilling grant from the World Bank for community-driven climate change initiatives. Funded through FLOCCA, the program will disburse funds in July 2024.
A workshop convened by the Department of Water, Environment and Climate Change, and Natural Resources educated a climate change working group on project proposals submitted by all 35 wards. These proposals address local climate challenges and will be overseen by the working group, which comprises representatives from various sectors like government, NGOs, CSO’s and academia.
The funding has two components: County Climate Institutional Support (CCIS) and County Climate Resilience Investment Grant (CCRIG). CCRIG prioritizes projects that raise awareness, promote climate-smart agriculture, improve water access and conservation, and encourage renewable energy use. Additionally, the grant supports land rehabilitation and disaster preparedness efforts.
Beneficiaries will be chosen based on vulnerability, sector needs, and the potential impact of the project. The Kisumu County Climate Change Working Group (KCCCWG), established in 2018, will play a key role in selecting and monitoring these initiatives.
This initiative empowers communities to address climate change through locally-led solutions, fostering long-term resilience.
The workshop was supported by the FRIEDRICH EBERT STIFTUNG organization, It was officially opened by the Chief Officer for the department Mr Francis Asuna and facilitated by the director of climate change, Mr .Evans Gichana, and Ms Judith wanjala from the same directorate.
