Stories shaped by community leadership

Our Story

Founded on the belief that every community has the power to create positive change within themselves.

Executive Summary

Roots and Routes Foundation is a Youth-led and Women-led civil society organization dedicated to advancing sustainable development, social justice, and inclusive community transformation. The Foundation is driven by the belief that lasting change is created when young people and women are empowered to lead solutions that respond to the realities of their communities.

The organization focuses on four interconnected thematic areas: climate and environmental sustainability; gender, SRHR and social inclusion; youth health and wellbeing; and governance, peace and civic participation.

Youth and women community leaders in East Africa

Who We Are

Roots and Routes Foundation is a Youth-led and Women-led Civil Society Organization committed to advancing sustainable development, social justice, and inclusive community transformation. It was established to respond to the need for community-driven solutions that empower young people and women to take active roles in shaping resilient and equitable societies across Kenya and East Africa.

Our Mission

To ignite and support young people and women to lead bold community action that transforms lives and strengthens communities.

Our Vision

A resilient, empowered, and sustainable society where every individual has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully to community development.

Our Core Values

Integrity

Honest and ethical in all our actions

Accountability

Answerable to the communities we serve

Inclusion

Welcoming diverse perspectives and backgrounds

Equity

Fairness in opportunity and outcomes

Collaboration

Working together with partners and communities

Sustainability

Practices that ensure long-term impact

Community Empowerment

Enabling communities to lead change

Thematic Areas

Four interconnected thematic areas guide everything we do — from climate resilience to civic participation.

Climate & Environmental Sustainability

We advance community-led solutions to climate change and environmental degradation that strengthen resilience, restore ecosystems, and support sustainable livelihoods.

Gender, SRHR & Social Inclusion

We promote gender equality and advance the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women, girls, and young people while addressing social inclusion barriers.

Youth Health & Wellbeing

We work to ensure that young people are equipped to make informed decisions and lead healthy, fulfilling lives, addressing mental health, life skills, and access to supportive spaces.

Governance, Peace & Civic Participation

We support young people and communities to actively participate in shaping the decisions, systems, and institutions that affect their lives.

To strengthen the capacity of young people and women to actively participate in leadership, governance, and community decision-making processes.
To build climate-resilient communities through sustainable environmental practices, climate education, and circular economy solutions.
To improve mental health awareness and psychosocial wellbeing by increasing access to community-based support systems and safe spaces.
To promote gender equality by empowering women and girls through education, skills development, and economic opportunities.
To enhance good governance, civic engagement, and accountability by strengthening citizen participation and awareness.
To promote peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community safety through dialogue, prevention initiatives, and partnerships.

Why Partner With Us

Roots and Routes Foundation works where community needs meet action. We don't sit outside the issues, we work with people living them, and we build solutions with them.

Partnership with us is not just support on paper, it's shared work, shared learning, and shared responsibility for real change on the ground.