A criticism often directed at development programs is that once funding ends, the impact disappears with it. Especially projects set up and led by organizations without significant local involvement leave communities struggling to run them after donors move on. But not always.

Our Voices for Climate Justice (VCA) program officially came to an end in 2025. However, during a recent follow-up visit by Ndinda Maithya, the program’s country manager in Kenya, it was clear that the project we had funded in Kyandulu, Makueni County was flourishing and the community itself was transformed.

From a dusty roadside meeting to a thriving community initiative

Back in August 2024, Ndinda first visited Makueni County to assess community groups that had applied for support through the Next Level Grants Facility (NLGF), one of the VCA program’s grant mechanisms.

Among the many groups she met, one stood out: Kyandulu Elite Youth Group. The group had been formed by young people during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to severe water shortages in Kyandulu village, Nguumo Ward. When Ndinda arrived, they sat under a tree beside a dusty roadside. The landscape was dry and rugged, harsh like the realities the community faced every day.

As the group members introduced themselves, they spoke about how they had organized themselves, the work they had already done, and the vision they held for their community.

Ndinda introduced them to the VCA program, its implementing partners, and Hivos, the lead organization implementing the program in Kenya.

“Although the group’s organizational structures were still developing, what stood out immediately was their determination, unity, and genuine commitment to improving their community,” Ndinda recalls. “I saw tremendous potential.”

At the time, the group had installed just one water tank that supplied clean drinking water to the community. It stood near the same tree where we were meeting. The land around it was completely bare, yet every day, as women, young men and children fetched water, some spilled onto the ground and seeped away unused.

Turning waste into impact

“During our discussion, we saw opportunity in what others might have missed. We agreed to use the spilled water to establish a tree nursery. It was a simple idea, but one filled with hope.”

To mark the beginning of the project, the first trees were planted by Hivos CEO Marco De Ponte, Regional Director Kennedy Mugochi, Communication Officer Cynthia Omondi, the group’s chairperson Shadrack, and Ndinda herself.

A month later, Kyandulu Elite Youth Group received funding for their plans through the Next Level Grants Facility.

With these resources, the group expanded its efforts by installing four water points across the community. The impact was immediate and far-reaching. Women and girls no longer had to walk long distances in search of water. Reduced travel time lowered their exposure to gender-based violence and freed up time for other economic and social activities. Children, especially girls, were able to attend school more consistently.

At the same time, the tree nursery flourished, bringing life and greenery to spaces that had once been bare.

Prioritizing local ownership in Kenya

Today, the transformation is remarkable. The once dusty area surrounding the original water tank is now also green and vibrant. The youth group has since evolved into a registered Community-Based Organization known as Kyandulu Youth Empowerment Network. Their work has continued attracting support from other development partners, including Hivos.

Kyandulu’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful change does not have to end when a program does. If the program prioritizes local ownership, that is when the real impact begins. Communities understand their challenges best, and with the right support, they can design and implement solutions that create lasting change. The before-and-after photos taken by Ndinda show a physical transformation, but according to her, the deeper story is about belief: belief in young people, local leadership, and belief in the power of communities to shape their own future.