The Climate Information Prize Programme has launched its phase two competition worth Sh20 million.
This programme is set to reward climate business idea which will improve access and usability of climate information to 250,000 direct beneficiaries around the country while demonstrating new strong linkages and partnerships with other stakeholders.
Dubbed Tekeleza Prize and funded by UKAid, the competition is open to organisations (business or non-government) that represent, work with or intend to work with communities that are vulnerable to climate variability and change in Kenya.
“Interested contestants will have to submit their business strategy that uses climate information to develop a business whose sole aim is for vulnerable communities to evade life threatening situations and better tackle climate uncertainty and risks,” said Nicki Spence, Prize Manager, and Cardno Emerging Markets.
Though the prize will be focused on the whole of Kenya its primary focus is on rural and peri-urban areas. Urban areas are not excluded but climate information is deemed to have an overall less strong role in supporting adaptation in urban areas.
He added that for any organisation to qualify as a contestant their applications should be able to show that they are targeting poor populations with high vulnerability to climate shocks and stressors and that climate information can be used, with associated services to reduce vulnerability.
“The organisations that apply may be international, national or local community and it is necessary for prize applicants to have a connection to one or more communities in Kenya,” he said.