Enterprise Development Initiative (EDI) project was launched by The Navigator (EPTF) Kenya Trust in 2021, in partnership with Swedish Mission Council through Children Mission Sweden/Africa. The project was implemented in Mombasa, Nairobi, Eldoret and Moiben.
EDI had three key objectives:
1.Three hundred and fifty (350) poor and marginalized urban/peri-urban households equipped with business skills leading to increased household incomes, food security and better nutrition.
2.Transformative social enterprises modeled on low-carbon value chains established under selected Self-Help groups (SHG).
3.Enhanced social inclusion for individuals and the community through access rights and participation in the society.
In the EDI project, participants were trained in Life skills, entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, table banking, SHG governance structures, management of SHG social enterprise, and advocacy skills.Tulinde Mikoko self Help Group in Bangladesh Village, Mikindani Ward, Jomvu sub-county,Mombasa county was selected to participate in the EDI project.
Between 1985 and 2009, Kenya lost about 20% of its mangrove cover, translating to about 450 hectares of mangroves per year. By 2017, at least 40% of mangroves across the coast have been degraded, according to the National Mangrove Ecosystem Management Plan (2017-2027).
The aim of Tulinde Mikoko SGH was to restore mangroves in the coastal line at Tudor Creek.Protect the mangrove ecosystem and create awareness in the community on protecting the environment with a specific focus on mangroves.
Tulinde Mikoko SHG was established in 2019. Their operations cover an area of about one kilometer on the shores of Tudor Creek. Training under the EDI project in 2021 helped the SHG strengthen its governance structures, strengthen partnerships, advocacy skills, expand the market reach of the low-carbon enterprise (selling of Mangrove seedlings) and rapidly increase the restoration of the mangrove trees in Tudor Creek.
In partnership with other stakeholders Tulinde Mikoko SHG planted over 100,000 Mangrove seedlings on the Tudor Creek.
“I am grateful to the Navigators EPTF for opening our mind as a self help group in managing our social enterprise. We are now able to market well our work and create awareness in our community for mangrove conservation” – Peter Nyongesa (Chairman-Tulinde Mikoko Self Help Group).
The Navigator (EPTF) Kenya Trust in partnership with Transparency International trained leaders of the self-help group on advocacy to empower them on understanding their rights and responsibilities as right holders and enable them to effectively mobilize the community on issues affecting them and engage the duty bearers for action on this issues.
In February, 2023 Tulinde Mikoko SHG organised a community forum bringing together stakeholders in Bangladesh, Jomvu Sub-county. They sensitized the community on the significance of the mangrove forests in the coastal ecosystems, their restoration, and conservation. They appealed to the duty bearers to support their efforts in the protection of mangrove forests.
During the community engagement forum, 1,000 mangrove seedlings were planted in line with the government’s National Tree Growing and Restoration campaign.
Tulinde Mikoko SHG was one of three self-help groups selected to receive a capital injection in the EDI project. They received a grant of Ksh. 163,871 this was channeled towards the purchase of tools, awareness campaign materials, bee farming equipment, and bee hives in a bid to diversify their social enterprises modeled on low-carbon value chains.
Shortly after the close of the project Tulinde Mikoko SGH made a sale worth Ksh. 150,000 through a partnership with Equity Bank Ltd. 3,750 mangroves were planted through this partnership. With the support of The Navigators (EPTF) Kenya Trust through the EDI project the group has cumulatively made an income of Ksh. 235,000 selling Mangrove seedlings.
Tulinde Mikoko SHG has a target of planting over a million seedlings at Tudor creek in the next 5 years. Strategic partnerships will be very instrumental in enabling the group achieve this target.