KENYA YOUNG GREENS

CLIMATE JUSTICE, EXCHANGE PROJECT REPORT

August 2014- August 2015

By Ann Mukami & Mary Appophia

15/08/2015

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ABSTRACT

This is a narrative report of the project “Same Destination Different Roads” implemented from

August 2014 to August 2015. This project was an exchange programme between Kenya Young

Greens (KYG) and Young Greens of Norway (YGN). It was funded by LNU through FK Norway. The

main project objective was to shed light on climate change and environmental politics in the

North/south perspective.

This report highlights the following; preparatory phase and selection of participants, an

evaluation of the objectives, summary of the project activities, project achievements as

compared to the set targets, and project outcomes. In addition the challenges, opportunities and

lessons learnt are documented herein.

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INTRODUCTION

“Same Destination Different Roads” was an exchange programme between Kenya Young Greens

(KYG) and Young Greens of Norway (YGN). The project was funded by LNU through FK Norway

and was implemented for a period of 12 months beginning August 2014 to August 2015.

The project’s overall objective was to shed light on climate change and green politics in a North/

South perspective in both countries. However, it also sort to;

Facilitate cooperation and the exchange of experiences and ideas between the

Norwegian Young Greens and the Kenya Young Greens

Strengthen both organizations work with regards to green politics, focusing on

Sustainability and environment

Strengthen the cooperation between countries and members of the Global Green

Movement to promote transnational solidarity and understanding

Establish a long term relationship between green youths in Europe and Africa.

The exchange project consisted of four participants, with two participants from each partner

organization. Furthermore, the project was divided into three phases; Norway Phase (August-

December 2014), Kenyan Phase (January-May 2015) and the After work phase (June-August

2015). In the 1st two phases all four participants carried out the designed activities in the host

organization however in the after work phase the participants worked in sending organizations.

The afterwork phase period was decided by the sending organization, however, the minimum

limit was 2 months after the exchange. It was meant to spread information and lessons learnt

about the project within the organization and other green organizations globally. In addition, the

participants were also expected to use the skills learnt to improve their organizations.

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SELECTION OF THE PARTICIPANTS

Each partner organization selected their participants for the exchange project. An online call for

applications was issued by each organization. Generally, the criteria for selection included and

not limited to, individuals who were members of the sending organizations, individuals with

background knowledge on environment with a passion in the green and sustainability agenda,

were familiar with the organizations work, had multiplier aspect, in good health and

demonstrated ability to adapt to new environments.

Through an interview process, each partner organization selected two participants hence making

it a total of four. The participants were between the ages of 19-27years.

PREPARATION FOR THE EXCHANGE PROJECT

The participants read a lot on the country they would travel to. The project documents were

shared quite late with the participants, and were mostly in Norwegian. Consequently, not

enough time was spent reviewing and familiarizing with the project documents.

The Kenyan participants spent a lot of time hustling for the Permit. It took more than two

months. In future, it would be good if the process started early enough, probably even four

months prior to the travel date. In addition, the participants should have a clear checklist of all

travel documents required, as well as have all information such as where they will live,

insurance, etc. This would hasten the Permit process.

LNU PREPARATORY COURSE

Before the actual commencement of the project, the participants were supposed to attend the

FK camp and the LNU preparatory course. Due to visa delay, the Kenyan participants were not

able to attend the FK camp. In the LNU preparatory course the participants learnt on intercultural

communication, group dynamics as well as further familiarizing themselves with the project

documents. Moreover, with the help of the LNU coordinator, the participants were guided in

understanding their project and developing their work plans. The course was also attended by

other exchanges namely; Norway/Sri Lanka Scouts and Norway/Honduras Catholics who were

also funded by LNU.

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EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The projects objective on; shedding light on climate change and green politics in a North/ South

perspective in both Norway and Kenya was reached through; primary and high school visits/

presentations, videos and documentaries developed, social media updates, blogs, newspaper

articles written and TV interview. In addition, through forums such as meetings with the grass

root/county groups of each organization and globalization conference 2014 held in Oslo.

Furthermore, through the project activities carried out, they enabled the project get closer to

some of the long term development objectives. This is highlighted below;

Long-term development goal How

Strengthening the cooperation between

countries and members of the Global Green

movement to promote transnational

solidarity and understanding

The exchange provided a platform for

engagement with other greens.

The exchange participants worked

closely with Sweden Greens in the 2014

election campaigns.

Facilitate cooperation and the exchange of

experiences and ideas between the

Norwegian Young Greens and the Kenya

Young Greens

-The exchange provided an opportunity

to learn how both organizations

operate by working in the host

organization.

-Through the exchange, the

participants acquired skills that can be

used within the organization to

improve their work

- The participants developed ideas on

improving host organizations.

- The exchange participants initiated

contacts between Parkland Greens of

KYG and Oslo Greens of Norway.

Strengthening both organizations work with

regards to green politics, focusing on

sustainability and environment

-The visits to the grassroots groups

acted as baseline surveys on

weaknesses, opportunities, as well as

understanding knowledge base of the

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groups KYG works with. This will be vital

going into the future.

-Working with NYG provided a

perspective on to KYG on engaging in

political advocacy as well as grassroots

project implementation

Contributing to increased understanding for

environmental politics in a North/South

Perspective

All the activities engaged in, helped

shed light on environmental politics

from a North/ South perspective.

The knowledge will be useful going into

the future, to assist both organizations

in their climate change work

SUMMARY OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Some of the activities carried out in the project include;

School presentations to upper secondary schools (Norway) and primary and secondary

schools in Kenya. The presentations covered climate change causes, effects and solutions.

They involved presentations, games and group discussions. The participants also

employed some teaching aids such as charts and maps. The presentations were aimed at

creating awareness on climate change in the north south perspective.

In addition, the interaction with the school students helped understand the students’

perspectives on climate change.

It was noted that especially in Kenya, a lot of the students were greatly aware of climate

change, mostly because they learnt the subject in the school syllabus.

Filming of school presentations and interviewing of some students/pupils in the schools

visited. The interviews were meant to get the opinions of the students on climate change

in relation to both countries

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Developing short documentaries based on the exchange. They are based on the school

interviews and presentations. However, they also highlighted some of the participants’

experiences.

Working in the host organization. This involved carrying out daily tasks in the

organization. This task was however not carried out efficiently in Norway, as there was

no work for the participants to engage in. This is because the work is mainly done by paid

professionals, and no proper arrangements had been made on how the participants

would come in.

Visiting host organizations county or grassroot groups. This was to get the participants

learn more about the partner organizations

Met people from different parts and levels of each organization. This was also meant to

help the participants learn more about the partner organizations

Visiting environmental organizations in both Norway and Kenya as part of learning how

work is carried out in partner countries.

Making face book updates about the project as a way of spreading information about the

project

Writing of blogs and articles, and TV interview. It was meant to share information about

the exchange, in particular the climate change north/south perspective the theme.

Participating in major events of the host organization. The participants attended various

meetings of Young Greens of Norway.

Some of the activities included in the initial coordinators work plans were not carried out,

however, they were to be implemented by participants during the after work phase. In addition,

they were not carried out in most cases as per initial work plans developed, this is because the

participants included the visit to schools activity that consumed a lot of time than anticipated

hence some activities were carried out later. In addition, schools closed quite early, hence the

need to do visit them before they started preparing for exams.

The activity school visits was given much priority because the participants felt it would greatly

enhance the reaching of the project objective on shedding light on climate change and green

politics in the North/South perspective.

In addition, it brought the aspect of generational justice with regards to climate change, in that,

children and youth today will suffer the effects of climate change, even though it is the older

generations who have contributed to climate change.

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ACHIEVEMENTS

Climate change awareness created to over 800 students/ pupils in both Kenya and

Norway. The students seemed to understand the climate change North/South

perspective aspect at the end of the presentations. This was got from their discussions

and feedbacks.

More than five short documentaries about the exchange were produced, four were

shared in organizations’ Face book and you tube channels. This would showcase students’

perspectives on climate change, as well as the exchange project experiences.

More would be shared in the after phase of the project.

Six environmental organizations were visited, three from each country. The organizations

dealt in the themes of waste management and recycling, environmental conservation

(through land reclamation), climate change and food security, Post 2015 development

process and energy( biogas production. This helped enhance knowledge on how the

problems of waste are solved from both countries’ perspectives, as well as share notes

on environmental conservation and existing technologies.

Six newspaper articles written though only two of the articles were published in county

newspapers in Norway(Trønder-Avisa and Stavanger Aftenblad). In addition the

participants had a TV interview in Kenya regarding the exchange project.

Six blogs were written and posted in the organizations websites. The blogs included topics

on climate change, waste management in Norway among others.

Increased Facebook likes by at least 700 likes since project start in KYG. This showed that

a lot of people were curious about what was going on in the exchange project.

In Norway, nine county groups of YGN were visited, while in Kenya seven grass root

groups and one county government were met. During the visits, the groups shared their

activities, and exchange participants answered some questions regarding the exchange

project, as well as other issues that came up, such as fundraising, proposal development

and climate change.

It was also a platform to learn more about the communities, their cultures, interact as

well as discuss general issues affecting the society.

In Norway participants met Green Party member representatives (Green party parliament

representative, spokesperson, secretary General) and different members and

committees of YGN while in Kenya they met grassroot group’s members.

The participants also attended the globalization conference in Oslo. Here they had

sessions where they talked about climate change from a North-South perspective as well

as answered questions from those present at the forum.

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A document on how to improve host organizations was also developed.

Participants increased knowledge on using social media tools, as well as using google drive

as a way to share information within the organization.

Participants were able to complete the exchange project without major incidences, such

as leaving the host country before completion of the time period.

Personal growth, including intercultural communication, international cultures, and

travel, as well as knowledge on various issues.

OUTCOMES

Increased understanding of climate change in the North/South perspective in both

countries. This was through school presentations, discussions, social media updates, blogs

and articles. Furthermore, it was also reached through the formal( meetings, globalization

conference) and non- formal forums attended

At the end of the presentations, some of the students wanted to be engaged in the

organizations

Increased public speaking skills and presentation preparation for the participants.

Participants were able to learn the students’ opinions regarding climate change in relation

to both Norway and Kenya and also the North-South perspective.

Increased visibility of the organizations. This was measured with the increase in the

number of Facebook likes , members engaged online in the organizations social media

and also increase in the number of people interested in joining the organization

Improved implementation of programmes especially in KYG. This is anticipated in the

future. This is because participants learnt skills such as shadow accounting, data

management which can help in enhancing future projects implementation.

Increased pool of network of people whom both organizations, as well as exchange

participants could engage/ interact in future.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

There was continuous monitoring and evaluation throughout the project. It was done against

project objectives, set targets and time frame. The participants and coordinators were involved

in the frequent project evaluation. The mid-term evaluation was done by the LNU coordinator

and the participants. The recommended changes were incorporated in the next phase of the

project. The final project evaluation was done by the coordinators with the help of the

participants.

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CHALLENGES

Some of the challenges experienced during the project include;

At the beginning of the project the participants did not understand how to achieve some

of the objectives as they were a bit open on the method of implementation. This gave the

participants a chance to decide on the method of implementation. However this took a

lot of time at the beginning therefore delaying the commencement of the project.

Delay in solving issues such as housing, tax money, after work money for Kenyan

participants while in Norway.

Difficulty in getting school appointments in both Norway and Kenya. This is because, in

Norway, YGN is a political party hence many schools were skeptical about the visits

especially during the school hours. In Kenya, some schools required additional letters

from the ministry which would have consumed a lot of time to acquire hence delaying the

school visits therefore the participants ended up not visiting such schools

Teachers Strike. There was a teachers strike in Kenya in January hence the participants

could not secure the appointments early enough which delayed the school visits

Cultural differences and Language barrier. This lead to mistrust and poor communication

which consequently affected group dynamics

Delay transfer of Kenyan after work money. This led to cancellation of some of the

planned activities

The North partner mostly acted as the donor rather than a partner, hence frequent

misunderstandings especially with regards to money.

While coming to Kenya, North participants already had created a perception (E.g. quality

of Kenyan medicine, using public means of transport, accidents, terror attacks especially

in the Coast of Kenya etc. ), which lessened the enthusiasm for the Kenyan phase.

The curriculum in Kenya is such that most students learn to answer questions by the book

and often creative thinking is not often encouraged. This came clear during the

discussions and interviews part of the school presentations where a larger percentage of

the students wanted to give correct book answers, rather than creative answers.

OPPORTUNITIES AND LESSONS LEARNT

Opportunities

The school visited during the project could be engaged future projects especially for KYG.

In addition visiting of grassroot group help the participants identify some of the gaps that exist

hence they can be translated into projects in future

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The knowledge acquired by the participants would be useful to the host organization, whether

in conducting future exchange projects, or in other aspects of running the organization.

Networks acquired would be useful to the participants and host organizations.

In addition, it is a recommendation to the schools to encourage creative and innovative thinking

by the students. This builds their confidence and they do not have to worry about being correct

all the time. In addition, it is easier to encourage creativity from an early age, than when one is

already an adult.

Lessons learnt

They include;

At the beginning of an exchange project, it’s important for all the participants and the

coordinators to have a meeting so that the expectations example on project delivery is

clear to the participants.

It is important that both partners trust each other, including capacity to handle the

project, and finances. It is assumed that a good baseline survey was conducted before

identifying the partner, hence when the project begins it is vital that there is a lot of trust.

When visiting countries in the South/North, exchange participants/ coordinators should

not have preconceived notions and judgments about the country they are visiting.

Reports in the media could paint the country way too much negative or way too much

positive than it actually is. Instead, it is important to be open-minded and enjoy the stay

while it lasts.

There should be clear terms of financial responsibility at the beginning of the project

between the participating organizations to avoid delay and enhance smooth

implementation of the project.

During project implementation, planning and storing of project documents online

including, project description, work plans, budget is quite efficient as everybody in the

project can access the documents

For easier accounting, it’s important that all costs are recorded immediately including

updating it in the budget. This is to avoid accumulation of amounts that can lead to

confusion during accounting

Issues such as housing, taxation, visa, should be dealt with quite early before the project

begins, to avoid wasting much energy and time during project implementation.

Good follow up by LNU(funding organization) as was the case is recommendable for

future projects

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CONCLUSION

The exchange project greatly enhanced the understanding of climate change in a North/South

perspective as well as to the students. It also provided opportunities of future engagements.

However trust and equal partnership in the project would have enabled smooth implementation

hence facilitating better project delivery.