The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in collaboration with the Action Lab under the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya and other strategic partners, is calling on young innovators in Kenya to participate in the 2025 Hack for the Environment. This exciting initiative invites students, developers, environmental advocates, and community change-makers to co-develop digital and data-driven solutions that address the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Lead Sponsor: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Location: Kenya
Participant Type: Young Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Eligible Genders: All (Men and Women)
Application Deadline: July 20, 2025
The United Nations is a global organization committed to promoting peace, human rights, sustainable development, and innovation. Through initiatives like UNEP and its hackathons, it fosters local and global action to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. The organization empowers individuals and communities to become agents of change.
Participants will enjoy a unique opportunity to gain international exposure, mentorship, and a platform to showcase groundbreaking solutions. Benefits include:
🧠 Expert Mentorship & Masterclasses: Learn directly from experts across the UN system, the Kenyan government, global tech giants, and leading academic institutions.
🌍 High-Level Networking: Engage with policymakers, environmentalists, and digital innovators from around the world.
🏅 Official Recognition: Earn participation certificates, LinkedIn badges, and access global visibility opportunities.
🎤 UN Showcase: The top 5 teams will pitch their solutions at the UN Offices in Nairobi and join exclusive networking sessions with high-level stakeholders.
🚀 Path to Implementation: Winning ideas may be incubated through the UNEP Digital Accelerator Lab for real-world execution.
🌱 Real-World Impact: Help shape the future by contributing digital tools to combat Kenya’s triple environmental crisis: climate change, nature degradation, and pollution.
To be considered, applicants must:
Be Kenyan residents aged 18–35
Have an interest in technology, environmental issues, or both
Apply individually or as part of a team of 4–6 members
Women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are strongly encouraged to apply
The program runs for four weeks, with an additional fifth week for finalist teams.
Weekly commitment includes approximately 2 hours of structured sessions, alongside self-organized team collaboration time.
Finalists will need to remain actively involved throughout the process, from ideation to final presentations.
Interested applicants should submit their applications by July 20, 2025.
For more details and the application portal, visit the UNEP official website or contact the organizers through local UNEP-affiliated platforms in Kenya.