Entrepreneurship & Livelihoods
Equipping young people in informal settlements with practical skills and economic opportunities.
We equip young people in informal settlements with practical skills, entrepreneurial opportunities, and livelihood support to build sustainable and dignified futures. At Nzumari Community Initiative, we believe young people are not just beneficiaries but innovators, entrepreneurs, and drivers of community transformation.
Why It Matters
Young people make up the majority of Kenya’s population, yet many continue to face unemployment, underemployment, and limited access to economic opportunities — especially in informal settlements. Limited access to education, employability skills, and startup capital continues to lock many young people out of sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.
Economic exclusion increases vulnerability to mental health challenges, violence, substance abuse, hopelessness, and social insecurity among young people. By investing in youth livelihoods and economic empowerment, we contribute to stronger, safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Through skills development, mentorship, and economic empowerment initiatives, we work to strengthen youth resilience, self-reliance, and long-term wellbeing.
Our Goal
To improve livelihoods and economic opportunities for young people by strengthening their employability, entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial resilience.
Methodology
Blending technical training with life-skills development, ensuring that youth have both the economic tools and mental resilience.
Community Revolving Fund Initiative
Empowering grassroots entrepreneurs with access to micro-capital.
Access to initial startup capital is one of the single biggest hurdles for young people trying to establish small businesses in Nairobi's informal settlements. Standard bank loans are often inaccessible due to strict collateral requirements, high interest rates, and systemic barriers.
To solve this, we are actively working towards establishing a community revolving fund. This initiative is designed to support youth-led micro-enterprises, provide seed capital, promote a strong community savings culture, and build long-term financial resilience among young people who would otherwise be locked out of the financial system.
What We Do
We build economic pathways and financial self-reliance through 5 core activities.
Entrepreneurship & Employability Training
We strengthen the capacity of young people through practical training on entrepreneurship, business development, employability, financial literacy, leadership, and life skills.
Mentorship & Skills Development
We provide mentorship, coaching, and peer learning opportunities to support young people in navigating career growth, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment pathways.
Youth Linkages & Opportunities
We connect young people to government programs, community initiatives, partnerships, training opportunities, and livelihood support systems that enhance economic inclusion.
Revolving Fund Initiative
We are working towards establishing a community revolving fund to support youth-led businesses, promote financial inclusion, strengthen saving culture, and support small business growth.
Digital Innovation & Economic Inclusion
We continue exploring digital tools, innovation, and emerging technologies that strengthen youth employability, entrepreneurship, and access to opportunities in a changing world.
Our Program Impact
By providing skills and resources, we enable young people to establish self-reliant livelihoods and lead local economic growth.
- Gain practical business and employability skills
- Build confidence and self-reliance
- Access mentorship and peer support
- Strengthen financial literacy and saving practices
- Explore pathways for sustainable income generation
- Increase participation in community and economic development
Empower Youth Livelihoods
We welcome partnerships with organizations, institutions, and individuals committed to advancing youth economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods in informal settlements.