Programmes and Initiatives.

Raising Youth & Communities (RYC) is a women-led grassroots implementing organisation delivering integrated development programmes in Rhamu, Mandera County — an arid and climate-vulnerable region in Northern Kenya.

Our programmes address interconnected challenges including education access gaps, gender inequality, economic exclusion, and climate-related livelihood disruption.

RYC designs interventions based on field research and community consultation, ensuring that solutions are locally grounded, scalable, and sustainable.

We currently implement programming across four strategic pillars:

  • Education Access & Systems Strengthening

  • Women’s Economic Empowerment & Protection

  • Community development

  • Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Sustainability

     

Education

Evidence-Driven Education Improvement

In 2023, RYC conducted a baseline assessment to understand barriers to education access and quality in Rhamu, Mandera North Sub-County.

The assessment covered Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDEs), primary schools, and vocational training institutions. Findings identified:

  • Gender disparities in enrolment

  • Limited infrastructure and learning materials

  • Teacher shortages

  • Low community participation in school management

  • Environmental challenges affecting attendance

The data generated from this study informs RYC’s education programming and advocacy with local stakeholders.

Current Education Interventions

  • Construction and operational support of a community school currently serving 85 learners

  • Distribution of reusable sanitary kits to 200 school-going girls to reduce absenteeism

  • Digital literacy training for youth and women to improve access to information and economic opportunities

RYC continues to work with communities and partners to strengthen equitable access to quality education.

Investment & Expansion Opportunity

RYC is seeking partners to:

  • Expand school infrastructure and learning materials

  • Increase girls’ retention and transition rates

  • Strengthen teacher capacity in climate-affected contexts

  • Scale digital literacy training for youth and women

Women Empowerment

Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Awareness

RYC convened a women-led roundtable dialogue in Eastleigh, Nairobi bringing together 30 Somali women to discuss key gender-based violence (GBV) challenges including early marriage, sexual abuse, and barriers to reporting.

The forum generated community-led recommendations focused on:

  • Increased awareness and prevention initiatives

  • Strengthened referral pathways

  • Community accountability mechanisms

  • Mental health and psychosocial support

These dialogues support safer environments and informed advocacy.

Programme Outcomes

  • Increased awareness of GBV prevention and reporting pathways

  • Strengthened community dialogue mechanisms

  • Improved economic resilience through skills development

Scaling Priority

RYC aims to expand women-led micro-enterprise initiatives integrating climate-smart livelihood strategies to improve household income stability.

Economic Empowerment

Skill Development

In partnership with Tumaini Educational Community-Based Organisation (TECBO), RYC implemented entrepreneurship training in yoghurt production for women in Rhamu.

The initiative:

  • Builds income-generating skills

  • Strengthens household economic resilience

  • Promotes women’s participation in local markets

Participants are supported to explore small enterprise development opportunities.

Community Development

Breastfeeding Awareness

In collaboration with TECBO, RYC delivered community sessions promoting breastfeeding best practices and maternal nutrition.

The programme:

  • Increased awareness of child development and maternal health

  • Addressed common breastfeeding challenges

  • Encouraged peer support networks among mothers

These interventions contribute to improved child health outcomes at the household level.

Climate Change & Community Resilience

Climate-Responsive Community Development

Communities in Mandera face recurrent drought, water scarcity, land degradation, and environmental stress that directly impact livelihoods, school attendance, and household stability.

RYC integrates climate adaptation into its programming to strengthen resilience at household and community level.

RYC is positioning climate resilience as a cross-cutting priority, integrating:

  • Water access infrastructure

  • Climate-smart livelihood support

  • Environmental awareness and restoration

  • Local resilience planning

Current Climate-Related Interventions

  • Construction of a borehole providing safe water access to approximately 70 households

  • Community awareness on sustainable resource use and environmental protection

  • Integration of climate considerations into education and livelihood programming

Strategic Focus

RYC is positioning climate resilience as a cross-cutting priority, integrating:

  • Water access infrastructure

  • Climate-smart livelihood support

  • Environmental awareness and restoration

  • Local resilience planning

Why Partner With RYC?

 

  • Women-led leadership rooted in the community

  • Proven implementation in climate-affected ASAL regions

  • Evidence-based programme design

  • Strong local partnerships and community trust

  • Scalable grassroots model with measurable impact

 

Our Implementation Approach

RYC uses a participatory, evidence-driven implementation model that ensures programmes respond to locally identified priorities.

Our approach includes:

  • Community-led needs assessments

  • Partnership with local organisations and the government

  • Continuous monitoring, evaluation, and learning

  • Gender-responsive and safeguarding-centred programming

  • Climate-resilient programme design

  • Monitoring, evaluation, safeguarding, and financial accountability systems integrated across all programmes

This approach strengthens ownership, accountability, and sustainability of programme outcomes.