Driving green growth in Kenya’s construction sector: CFYE project wraps up with impactful results

Habitat for Humanity joined key stakeholders in Nairobi to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Driving Green Growth in the Construction Sector project — a three-year initiative supported by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE). 

April 2025 Habitat for Humanity alongside key stakeholders, celebrated the successful conclusion of the Driving Green Growth in the Construction Sector project in Nairobi. 

This three-year initiative supported by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) aimed to transform Kenya’s housing construction sector through creation, matching and improving green jobs for the youth; increasing demand, supply and utilization of green housing products and services; and increasing meaningful participation of women and youth in the construction sector. 

Implemented by Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with Gjenge Makers, MycoTile, and The Toolkit Skills and Innovation Hub (TTI), the project delivered impressive results across skills training, employment, and green innovation.

Group photo of delegates at the CFYE project closeout meeting

Group photo of delegates at the CFYE project closeout meeting

Job creation:  the project created a total of 933 decent green jobs, surpassing the original target of 908 jobs. Notably, 291 of these jobs were for women, achieving 31% female participation. This represents meaningful progress toward promoting gender inclusion in Kenya’s green construction sector.

Skills Training: 2,696 youth were trained in construction and environmental skills, nearly doubling the initial goal of 1,430. These young people acquired competencies in solar installation, plumbing, electrical wiring, welding, and repurposing of agricultural and plastic waste. Of these 495 trainees, 121 of whom were women received official certifications from institutions such as The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Dig In Vision, and the European Union.

Partner Empowerment: the initiative also strengthened the capacity and business models of the implementing partners. With targeted investments in equipment and training, partners like Gjenge Makers, MycoTile, and TTI were able to improve their operations and expand their reach. 

Africa Finance Assistant Valerie Kizito (second from left) and Masua Mutua, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (third from left), pictured with partners at the meeting

From left to right: Amarins Gerlofsma, Diplomat, Embassy of the Netherlands, Nairobi; Valerie Kizito, Finance Assistant, Africa Area Office; Masua Mutua, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter; Peter Kimani, Gjenge Makers; Muthomi Murage, The Toolkit Skills & Innovation Hub; Mtamu Kililo, MycoTile; and Hosea Mugera, The Toolkit Skills & Innovation Hub.

During the close-out event, partners reflected on these milestones, shared lessons learned and discussed the path forward. There was consensus on the importance of continuing to monitor the sustainability of the jobs created and ensuring women and youth remain central to the growth of Kenya’s green construction sector. Discussions also explored how employment generated through the project is contributing to improved access to affordable, climate-resilient housing, especially for low-income communities.

Amarins Gerlofsma, Diplomat, Embassy of the Netherlands, Nairobi presenting certificates to the Habitat consortium represented by Masua Mutua, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter and Africa Finance Assistant Valerie Kizito.

Amarins Gerlofsma, Diplomat, Embassy of the Netherlands, Nairobi presenting certificates to the Habitat consortium represented by Masua Mutua, Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at the Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter and Africa Finance Assistant Valerie Kizito.

With the project now concluded, Habitat for Humanity and its partners are committed to sustaining the impact by tracking job continuity, evaluating partner business performance, and deepening the link between green jobs and better housing outcomes. The Driving Green Growth project stands as a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and purpose-driven investment in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

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Group photo of people jumping in joy at the closeout meeting of CFYE project

Driving green growth in Kenya’s construction sector: CFYE project wraps up with impactful results

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Group photo of the delegates at the CFYE project closeout meeting

Turning empty spaces into homes 

Ana Carolina Gomes, Associate Director for Strategy and Operations at Habitat for Humanity International, is leading efforts to address the gap of over 30 million homes in Europe sitting vacant and 900,000 people being homeless each night. At the World Urban Forum organized by UN-Habitat in November 2024, she outlined Habitat for Humanity’s plan to repurpose vacant buildings—a strategy that combines social impact with environmental responsibility. The goal is to increase affordvble housing while also reducing carbon emissions. 

Europe is facing a troubling situation—while millions struggle with housing insecurity, many buildings remain empty. With 30 million homes in Europe sitting vacant and 900,000 people homeless each night, the need for solutions is urgent. Adding to the crisis, the building sector is responsible for up to 35% of Europe’s energy-related CO₂ emissions. Tackling both the housing shortage and climate concerns requires innovative action.  

Ana Carolina Gomes, Associate Director for Strategy and Operations at Habitat for Humanity International, is leading efforts to address this gap. At the World Urban Forum organized by UN-Habitat in November 2024, she outlined Habitat for Humanity’s plan to repurpose vacant buildings—a strategy that combines social impact with environmental responsibility. The goal is to increase affordable housing while also reducing carbon emissions.  

A proven model for sustainable housing solutions  

Habitat for Humanity’s approach builds on research-backed strategies and demonstration projects that support policy change. The process follows a structured approach:  

  • research and data collection – gathering reliable data to push for policy changes. 
  • demonstration projects – refurbishing empty spaces to show practical, scalable solutions. 
  • stakeholder collaboration – working with governments, industry leaders, and financial institutions to create lasting change. 
  • advocacy for policy change – engaging with policymakers to integrate sustainable housing solutions into national programs.  

This method ensures that solutions are not just theoretical but have been tested in real-world conditions.  

From the UK to Poland - Expanding the model  

The first version of this model started in the UK, where Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, with help from donors mainly M&G, renovated empty buildings in London. The project successfully turned vacant properties into homes and created toolkits to help local governments implement similar projects.  

Next, the project moved to Poland, where the Social Rental Agency model was introduced. Unlike in Western Europe, where rental markets are more structured, Central and Eastern Europe still faces housing systems influenced by the post-Soviet era. With less than 5% of the housing stock being affordable, innovative solutions are needed.  

Social Rental Agencies act as intermediaries, connecting private property owners with people in need of affordable housing. This model ensures sustainable housing management while preventing newly refurbished properties from becoming segregated, low-income areas. Instead, a focus on social cohesion promotes diverse tenant communities.  

A flagship project  

Building on these successes, Habitat for Humanity launched the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative, a flagship program supported by Laudes foundation and M&G, aimed at identifying scalable financial solutions. Through this initiative, several housing units will be renovated to demonstrate cost-effective, climate-friendly ways to repurpose vacant buildings.  

Key outcomes of the project include:  

  • financial innovation – researching market-based funding models to ensure long-term scalability. 
  • policy advocacy – Working with local and national governments to encourage the reuse of vacant properties. 
  • carbon impact assessment – measuring CO₂ savings from repurposed buildings to align with EU climate goals.   

Advocacy at the EU level

Beyond local efforts, Habitat for Humanity is pushing for EU-wide reforms to make repurposing vacant buildings a central part of Europe’s housing policy. Their advocacy focuses on:  

  1. A unified definition of vacant real estate – standardizing definitions across EU countries for more reliable data. 
  2. Comprehensive mapping of vacant properties – conducting extensive research to identify available spaces. 
  3. Awareness campaigns – promoting the environmental and social benefits of reusing empty properties. 
  4. Strategic EU funding – directing resources from existing programs to speed up the conversion of vacant buildings into affordable homes.  

A path forward

As Ana Carolina Gomes emphasizes, solving Europe’s housing crisis requires collective action. Governments, businesses, and civil society must work together to transform empty spaces into homes. By using market-based solutions, building partnerships, and pushing for policy change, Habitat for Humanity is showing that sustainable, affordable housing solutions are possible.  

The vision is clear: a future where no home is left empty while people remain without shelter. With the right strategies and collaboration, Europe can close the housing gap and fight climate change—one repurposed building at a time.  

Read our manifesto on opportunities for the European Union for 2024-2029.  

Also, read the manifesto for Practical Policies for a Just and Resilient Built Environment by the Laudes Foundation Coalition.  

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Turning empty spaces into homes 
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Turning empty spaces into homes 

Habitat for Humanity’s Vision for Sustainable Housing at the 2024 World Urban Forum

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Unlocking the potential of empty spaces for housing and climate solutions

Last year, Habitat for Humanity International had the opportunity to participate in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Switzerland. This high-level event brought together representatives from 40 national governments, local authorities, and housing and climate experts from across the continent to explore sustainable urban solutions. We joined the forum to present one of our most transformative initiatives—Empty Spaces to Homes—a project that reimagines vacant buildings as a key part of solving Europe’s housing and climate crises.

Last year, Habitat for Humanity International had the opportunity to participate in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE) Forum of Mayors in Geneva, Switzerland. This high-level event brought together representatives from 40 national governments, local authorities, and housing and climate experts from across the continent to explore sustainable urban solutions. We joined the forum to present one of our most transformative initiatives—Empty Spaces to Homes—a project that reimagines vacant buildings as a key part of solving Europe’s housing and climate crises.

Across Europe, 30 million buildings sit vacant while nearly 900,000 people experience homelessness each night. This stark contrast reveals both a significant problem and a tremendous opportunity. Habitat for Humanity’s Empty Spaces to Homes project, supported by Laudes Foundation and M&G, is addressing these challenges by transforming vacant buildings into sustainable, affordable housing. Rather than constructing new homes that contribute to environmental harm, the project revitalizes abandoned properties, reducing waste and tackling two urgent issues: the housing crisis and the building sector’s carbon footprint, which accounts for 35% of the EU’s energy-related emissions.

Bringing the vision to life: success in the UK and Poland

The initial phase of this project has already yielded impressive results in the UK and Poland

In the UK, with generous support from M&G as a main donor, the initiative has expanded beyond just constructing homes. It’s also focused on building partnerships, engaging local communities, and influencing public policy. Since its inception in 2019, by 2023 the UK project had completed critical research, forged key partnerships, and delivered its first housing projects. 

In Poland, the focus has been on collaborating with Social Rental Agencies to connect landlords with tenants in need of affordable housing. This model has proven particularly effective in Central and Eastern Europe, where the large-scale privatization of housing in the 1990s reduced the availability of public housing options. These pilot programs are laying the groundwork for broader, long-term change.

Taking the message global

Habitat for Humanity International’s participation at the UN-ECE conference in Geneva offered a unique platform to present the Empty Spaces to Homes initiative to decision-makers from 40 governments, major European cities, and climate and housing experts. These influential figures play key roles in shaping the future of housing policy across Europe. By presenting the project to such an esteemed audience, Gyorgy Sumeghy, representing Habitat for Humanity, amplified the message that Europe’s vacant buildings are not just eyesores—they’re valuable assets capable of addressing two pressing challenges: the housing crisis and climate change.

This presentation provided a powerful platform to advocate for scalable solutions that transform vacant buildings into homes, reduce carbon emissions, and help build more inclusive communities. The conference sparked vital conversations about the policy changes and long-term support needed to scale initiatives like Empty Spaces to Homes. This marked a significant step toward ensuring the project’s impact spans across Europe, shaping national policies and promoting the adoption of similar solutions continent-wide.

A call for policy change

To maximize this impact, Habitat for Humanity is advocating for key policy changes at the EU level, including:

  • establishing a clear definition of “vacant real estate” to streamline data collection and decision-making.
  • mapping Europe’s vacant properties to pinpoint where housing solutions are most needed.
  • launching campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental and social benefits of repurposing empty buildings.
  • allocating funding from existing EU programs to support these initiatives.

Changing how we view housing

Empty Spaces to Homes challenges the widely held belief that new construction is the only solution to housing shortages. Instead, it promotes a paradigm shift in how we view vacant buildings—not as problems, but as untapped resources ready for transformation into homes. 

The message is clear: Europe’s empty buildings are not liabilities—they’re opportunities. By embracing this vision, we can solve the housing crisis, reduce carbon emissions, and create inclusive, sustainable communities for the future.

 

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Habitat for Humanity’s Call for EU Housing Reform at the 2023 Forum of Mayors

Europe’s empty buildings an opportunity for change

Bridging the property insurance gap: Insights from the ILO-TCIS-Britam Project

For many low-income families and small businesses in Kenya, a single disaster—such as a fire or flood—can mean financial ruin. Shockingly, 35% of Kenyans have lost homes, businesses, or property due to fire, floods, theft, or eviction in the last two years, yet few have access to property insurance to protect their assets.

Across Africa, only 4.5% of people with microinsurance have property coverage, compared to 52% for life insurance and 22% for health insurance. This disparity leaves millions exposed to financial shocks, highlighting the often overlooked faced by low-income families and small businesses. 

Without adequate insurance, rebuilding after disasters is a slow and uncertain process, keeping families and businesses in a cycle of economic vulnerability.

Recognizing this gap, Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS) partnered with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Impact Insurance Facility and Britam Insurance to develop affordable and accessible property microinsurance solutions. Through this initiative, more than 109,800 new policyholders—including MSMEs, women, and rural residents—gained access to affordable insurance for their homes and businesses, offering them a critical financial safety net.

Barriers to property insurance adoption

Phase 1 of the project identified key barriers to property insurance adoption: 

  • Lack of awareness – Many potential customers are unaware of property insurance and its benefits.
  • Complex policies – Technical jargon and lengthy contracts discouraged sign-ups.
  • Affordability concerns – Rigid payment structures made it difficult for low-income families to access coverage.

To overcome these challenges, the project focused on simplifying insurance policies, raising awareness, and introducing flexible payment models that made insurance more accessible to underserved communities.

Challenges and lessons learned

While Phase 1 made significant strides in bridging the insurance gap, challenges remain: 

  • Market hesitancy – Some insurers are cautious about developing new inclusive products.
  • Low demand perception – Even among aggregators, there was limited interest in property insurance beyond mortgage providers.
  • Need for better distribution – Finding the right channels to reach low-income consumers is critical for long-term success.

Looking ahead: What to expect in phase 2

Building on the successes and lessons from Phase 1, Phase 2 will focus on: 

  • Scaling flood insurance – Expanding coverage to better protect climate-vulnerable communities.
  • Integrating early warning systems – Helping households and businesses prepare for and mitigate risks.
  • Expanding access: Aiming to reach over 300,000 policyholders by the end of 2025 and 500,000 by the end of 2026.

Inclusive property insurance is a powerful tool for resilience, ensuring that when disaster strikes, families and businesses can rebuild faster and more effectively.

Read the full report here: 

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Bridging the property insurance gap: Insights from the ILO-TCIS-Britam Project

Unlocking Lithuania’s Renewable Energy Potential

Lithuania has made significant strides toward achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with renewable energy (RE) at the heart of this transition. However, while the country continues to expand its RE capacity, some key challenges remain—especially for homeowners in multi-family buildings. A recent study highlights how legal, financial, and informational barriers are slowing the adoption of small-scale renewable energy solutions, despite a growing interest in energy efficiency upgrades. The research is part of the SUNRISE project.

Lithuania has made significant strides toward achieving a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with renewable energy (RE) at the heart of this transition. However, while the country continues to expand its RE capacity, some key challenges remain—especially for homeowners in multi-family buildings. A recent study highlights how legal, financial, and informational barriers are slowing the adoption of small-scale renewable energy solutions, despite a growing interest in energy efficiency upgrades.  

The research is part of the SUNRISE project.

Funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), the project is focused on supporting the deployment of solar power installations in multi-family buildings across North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Lithuania. Running from 01.11.2022 to 30.04.2025, the project is led by Initiative for Housing in Eastern Europe (IWO) in partnership with Habitat Bulgaria, Lithuanian Consumers Alliance (LCA), Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), German Solar Energy Company (DGS), and Habitat Macedonia.

Challenges for Multi-Family Buildings

Multi-family buildings make up nearly 50% of Lithuania’s housing stock, presenting a major opportunity for implementing smaller RE solutions like solar water heaters, heat pumps, and rooftop PV systems. 

However, several factors complicate the process: 

  • Complex decision-making – Unlike single-family homes, these buildings require approval from multiple owners, making it difficult to reach consensus on energy renovations.
  • Regulatory hurdles – Permitting processes can be lengthy and complicated, discouraging homeowners from pursuing RE investments.
  • Financial constraints – While homeowners recognize the long-term benefits of RE, many struggle with the high upfront costs and lack awareness of available subsidies or low-interest loans.
  • Limited knowledge – Even as general awareness of RE grows, many homeowners lack technical knowledge about system performance, costs, and maintenance.  

What Motivates Homeowners to Invest in Renewable Energy?

Despite these challenges, the research shows that financial benefits are the strongest motivator for RE adoption. Homeowners are primarily interested in lowering their energy bills, reducing environmental impact, and increasing property value. However, the relatively low cost of electricity for shared building needs means that without state support, many remain hesitant to invest.  

Another key finding is the critical role of homeowner association (HOA) leaders in driving change. Targeted training programs can equip HOA chairs with accurate, practical information on financing options, administrative procedures, and technology benefits, enabling them to guide their communities toward informed decisions. 

Accelerating Renewable Energy Adoption in Lithuania

To unlock the full potential of RE in Lithuania’s multi-family buildings, a multi-faceted approach is needed:  

  • Simplifying administrative procedures – Reducing bureaucratic barriers and streamlining permitting processes to make RE adoption more accessible.
  • Expanding financial support – Increasing grants, subsidies, and low-interest loans to help cover installation costs.
  • Enhancing information accessibility – Developing targeted awareness campaigns and training HOA leaders to share RE knowledge effectively.
  • Strengthening grid infrastructure – Addressing technical limitations that prevent easy integration of RE solutions into existing energy networks.  

Building a Sustainable Future

Lithuania’s renewable energy adoption depends on proactive policy changes, financial accessibility, and community engagement. 

By removing barriers and providing the right support, the SUNRISE project is building a cleaner, more energy-efficient future. 

Read the whole research report here

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Unlocking Lithuania’s Renewable Energy Potential
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Unlocking Lithuania’s Renewable Energy Potential

Overcoming Regulatory Barriers and Empowering Multi-Family Buildings

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