Climate-Resilient Urban Agriculture and Food Systems for Nairobi (CLIMATE-FOOD-NAI)

Proposal Overview

Funding Programme: Horizon Europe - Africa Initiative III

Call Identifier: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-05-two-stage

Thematic Area: Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

Duration: 60 months (5 years)

Executive Summary

CLIMATE-FOOD-NAI tackles the triple crisis of climate change, food insecurity, and rapid urbanization in Nairobi by establishing an integrated agroecology living lab network across peri-urban and informal settlement areas. With 60% of Nairobi households food insecure, this project pioneers climate-smart urban agriculture combining water-nutrient-energy nexus optimization, indigenous crop diversification, and circular economy principles.

Problem Statement

60% of Nairobi households experience moderate-to-severe food insecurity. Climate change has reduced agricultural productivity by 25% (2015-2024). Urban farmers lack land access, soil quality is poor, and water stress is increasing.

Objectives

• OBJ 1: Establish 8 agroecology living labs engaging 5,000 urban farming households.
• OBJ 2: Design and implement water-nutrient-energy nexus interventions.
• OBJ 3: Introduce and scale climate-resilient agricultural innovations and indigenous vegetables.
• OBJ 4: Develop nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions linking production to consumption.
• OBJ 5: Evaluate impacts on food security, nutrition, income, and environmental sustainability.
• OBJ 6: Strengthen African agricultural knowledge and innovation systems.
• OBJ 7: Create circular economy value chains for organic waste and solar services.
• OBJ 8: Develop evidence-based policy recommendations for Kenya urban agriculture.

Methodology

Participatory action research using a living lab approach. Quasi-experimental design comparing living lab participants (n=5,000) with matched control households (n=2,000).

Consortium

Lead by ICIPE Kenya with 12 partners including GCRI Kenya, JKUAT, KALRO, University of Pretoria, and Wageningen University.

Innovation

First comprehensive water-nutrient-energy nexus optimization in African urban agriculture; living lab methodology adapted for dense urban environments; circular economy value chains.