Building Bridges: The Youth Café & Circles Of Hope Host CSOs Networking Forum In Nairobi & Kajiado

Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Format: Virtual

Introduction

The Youth Café, in partnership with Circles of Hope, convened a dynamic CSOs Networking Forum that brought together organizations from Nairobi, Kajiado, and Uganda, with expectations of Zambia joining. The session, moderated by Esther Nora (The Youth Café) and Hellen Bhoke (Circles of Hope), was designed as a collaborative platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring partnerships.

Over 40 participants joined, representing diverse organizations such as Power Women, Patinaai Osim, Hope for Life Uganda, PaaMoja Initiative, Future Funds Collective, and others. The space highlighted how CSOs across the region are shaping community resilience, youth empowerment, and advocacy.

Highlights from the Forum

1. Opening Remarks & Networking Call

Esther Nora (The Youth Café) and Hellen Bhoke (Circles of Hope) welcomed participants, emphasizing the power of collaboration and peer learning. Hellen encouraged participants to use the chat for introductions and fill out a shared networking form to support post-forum linkages.

“We may not have time for everyone to speak, but let’s maximize on the limited time, share openly, and make sure you don’t leave this space the same way you came in.” – Hellen Bhoke

2. Introductions Across Regions

  • Power Women (Nairobi): Irene Ogeta introduced her organization’s work in empowering women in urban communities.

  • Patinaai Osim (Kajiado): Represented by Anniey Mwangi, focusing on indigenous empowerment, maternal health, and climate action.

  • Hope for Life Uganda: Menya Julius highlighted regional partnerships and civic engagement, while encouraging a youth-led regional movement across East Africa.



3. Organizational Presentations

The Youth Café

  • Pan-African youth-led, founded in 2012.

  • Over 45 projects in 22 African countries, working across all 17 SDGs.

  • Key areas: health, democracy & governance, education, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

  • Runs an African Youth Foundation funding hub supporting youth-led enterprises.

Circles of Hope CBO (Nairobi, Mukuru Kwanjenga)

  • Youth-led since 2019, reaching 675+ households annually.

  • Flagship initiatives: Space Project (civic engagement), Her Dignity (menstrual hygiene campaign), and Voices for Change (GBV awareness).

  • Invited partnerships in mental health, SRHR, gender equality, and climate resilience.

Future Funds Collective (Kajado South)

  • 19 youth and women members focusing on environmental education, financial literacy, and farming projects.

  • Actively engaged in tree planting and talent development.

  • Highlighted need for partnerships in fundraising, policy advocacy, and exposure.

Patinaai Osim (Kajiado)

  • Indigenous Maasai CBO working on education, livelihoods, SRHR, climate justice, and cultural preservation.

  • Established Titeeyio Hub as a community-driven innovation and empowerment center.

  • Success stories: reforestation projects, boreholes for water security, tailoring skills for young mothers, and mentorship for 1,400+ youth on sexual health.

Key Outcomes

  • Networking: Participants exchanged contacts, introduced themselves in the chat, and filled out a shared organizational details form.

  • Partnership Opportunities: Clear synergies identified around climate action, SRHR, GBV prevention, youth civic engagement, and environmental sustainability.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Presentations provided case studies of community resilience and youth-led innovation.

  • Movement Building: A coalition or movement of CSOs was strongly emphasized to ensure sustained collaboration, amplify advocacy, and create a united voice across the region.

  • Next Steps:



    • Compiled contact list to be shared with all participants.

    • Explore monthly or bi-monthly follow-up forums.

    • Individual CSOs to connect with at least 1–2 new partners.

    • Youth Café to continue offering mentorship in proposal writing and partnership development.



Conclusion

The networking forum demonstrated the power of collective action. By sharing stories, challenges, and solutions, the participating CSOs reaffirmed their commitment to youth empowerment, women’s rights, climate action, and community transformation.

The strong emphasis on forming a coalition of CSOs ensures that this was not just a one-time networking event but a stepping stone toward a sustained movement for change in East Africa.