Footsteps (Kenya)
Footsteps is a community-based non-profit organisation founded in 2015 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Its mission is to empower girls and young women aged 10–25 from marginalised communities by unlocking their leadership potential and promoting education as a pathway to prosperity. Operating primarily in Nairobi’s informal settlements such as Dandora, Kariobangi and Korogocho, Footsteps combines education, vocational training and entrepreneurship to create safe spaces where girls can thrive. The organisation believes that educating girls is the most effective way to transform families and communities, and it integrates leadership development with practical skills for financial independence.
In 2025-2026, the Eurofins Foundation is supporting the project “GrowHer: Empowering Young Women and Girls through Hydroponics and Digital Agriculture.” This initiative introduces climate-smart farming and digital tools to address food insecurity, unemployment and gender inequality in Nairobi’s urban slums.
In these informal settlements, over 60% of residents face chronic food insecurity, and young women experience the highest rates of unemployment and exclusion from technology. Traditional farming is impossible due to land scarcity, soil contamination and water shortages, leaving families dependent on costly food imports. At the same time, the gender digital divide limits girls’ access to agritech innovations, while climate shocks exacerbate vulnerability. GrowHer was launched to tackle these intersecting challenges by equipping girls with the knowledge and tools to lead in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
The project will establish two hydroponic demonstration farms in slum-based schools, train 100 girls in hydroponics and digital agriculture, and create eco-clubs to promote climate literacy. Participants will learn to manage soil-less farming systems, use AI-enabled agricultural apps, and access digital marketplaces to sell produce. The Eurofins Foundation will support the installation of hydroponic units, technical and digital training, leadership workshops and community outreach. By combining food production, technology and gender empowerment, GrowHer will deliver fresh vegetables, income opportunities and climate-smart skills, positioning young women as innovators in Kenya’s green and digital economy.
This project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
