From Soil to Success: A Youth Voice from Kenya at the Youth4Innovation Summit

In June 2025, I had the chance to attend the Youth4Innovation Workshop during the Innovate4Climate Summit in Sevilla, Spain. It brought together youth leaders, private sector experts, and innovators from across the world — all focused on building real solutions around jobs, climate resilience, and investment.

We came from 17 countries, and even though our backgrounds were different, our goals were the same: to make sure young people have the tools and opportunities to shape a better future.

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A Moment That Stood Out

During the summit, I had a powerful conversation with Valerie Hickey, the Global Director of the Climate Change Group at the World Bank.

I mentioned plainly:

“We can’t talk about climate innovation and jobs without matching it with real resources for young people. If we don’t act, we’re heading toward a global gap of over 1.1 billion jobs in the next five years.”

She agreed that we need to ask stronger questions and focus on ideas that investors and institutions can take seriously. That moment reminded me why we must continue to speak up, boldly and clearly.

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Our Idea: From Soil to Success

In one of the workshop groups, I joined a team to design solutions under the theme of Jobs. Together, we created a plan called “From Soil to Success”, based on real challenges faced by youth in rural Kenya.

Too many young people want to farm but lack access to the right skills, tools, or markets. At the same time, the private sector struggles with a shortage of trained, innovative workers.

Our solution?
A “phygital” platform — combining physical training spaces and a digital hub — where youth can:

• Learn climate-smart farming and green skills

• Get mentorship from experts and companies

• Share ideas, innovate, and grow their agribusinesses

• Connect with others through an online community

We imagined a space where learning meets opportunity — built by and for young people. You can read about the other ideas here.

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Taking It Back Home

What we designed in Spain wasn’t just theory. It’s something I want to bring back and build in Kenya.

Through our work at Forezava, with other local partners in Vihiga County, we are already laying the foundation for greenhouses made from bamboo, powered by solar energy, and supported by drip irrigation. “From Soil to Success” fits perfectly into this vision — giving young farmers a platform to thrive, not just survive.

Young people have ideas. We have energy. What we need is investment, trust, and space to lead.

If you’re a policymaker, a development partner, an investor, or someone who believes in youth-driven solutions — this is your moment to join hands with us.

We’re not asking for charity. We’re building the future.

#Youth4Innovation #FromSoilToSuccess #KenyaYouth #ClimateAction #GreenJobs #ValerieHickey #Forezava #Innovate4Climate #YouthVoices #ProgressiveYouth

About Author: Kevin Makova