In the heart of Nairobi, Kenya, the Early Career Climate Fellowship (ECCF) Program has paved the way for passionate and talented individuals to embark on a transformative journey at the intersection of climate science, policy, and practice. From the Call for Applications to their recent arrival at the African Group of Negotiators Expert Support (AGNES) Office, the stories of Lissa Nimo Karanja, Chelsea Okelo, Quinto Juma, and Adhiambo Petronila reflect a promising future for climate policy action in Africa.
The ECCF initiative, a collaboration between the AGNES and the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Nairobi, aims to identify and nurture emerging leaders in strengthening future science-policy-practice for a climate-resilient Africa. The response was overwhelming with over 400 applications received while four candidates outstandingly stood out to kick-start their early career of passion, dedication, and innovation in climate resilience.
Lissa Karanja — A Biology graduate with a First Class Honours degree from the University of Nairobi, Lissa started her research career having worked on designing biopesticides with bioinformatics technology for Kenyan smallholder farmers. Her desire to com plement her experience in wet-lab analysis with the dynamic realm of policy and practice led her to apply for the ECCF. As she eloquently expressed “The ECCF program offers me a unique opportunity to be professionally placed within this nexus of climate research-policy-practice and learn from other experts to achieve food security.”
Chelsea Okelo — An Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) with experience in agricultural processing and food supply chain management. Chelsea’s motivation arises from the evidence of the impact of climate change on food security witnessed in the Horn of Africa. She envisions to make her contribution to develop an innovative idea that will address climate-resilient water resource management. Chelsea views the Fellowship as an ideal opportunity to become a professional in the climate landscape and to spearhead sustainable development in water for food security.
Quinto Juma — Possessing a First-Class Honours degree in Geospatial Engineering from the University of Nairobi, Quinto Juma seeks to integrate his technical expertise with a fervent commitment to environmental sustainability. Having actively participated in projects focused on predicting the biogeography of invasive species amidst shifting climates, Quinto is enthusiastic about translating his valuable insights into actionable climate policies. His goal is to harness machine learning techniques to elevate the precision of climate-related predictions, contributing to the realization of a resilient society in the face of climate challenges.
Adhiambo Petronila — With the award of Environmental Sciences degree from Machakos University, she is ambitious to scale up her knowledge of environmental impact assessment, community engagement, and advocacy in climate action. Adhiambo identifies a gap in the integration of science-evidence research in climate action projects. Her role as an intern in a youth-led organization positions her as an advocate for science-based climate solutions. Adhiambo’s goal is to be an all-round solution-oriented climate expert.
The ECCF Programme began with a rigorous evaluation and selection process, culminating in 10 shortlisted candidates who faced a 6-panelist interview. Out of these, four Climate Fellows emerged – three remarkable ladies and one gentleman. Their diverse backgrounds, ranging from biology and agriculture to geospatial engineering and environmental science, reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the ECCF Programme.
The Fellows reported to the AGNES office last week, and the excitement and determination among the fellows were palpable. The six-month ECCF promises a deep dive into the science-policy-practice nexus that will assist to promote and enhance pathways to a resilient Africa. These Fellows, armed with their unique perspectives and goals, are set to contribute significantly to addressing climate challenges in Kenya and beyond.
In the words of Adhiambo Petronila, “The Early Career Climate Fellowship Programme presents an opportunity to build my understanding of how to integrate climate science research in setting up projects and influence policy.” As these four Fellows embark on this transformative journey, the ECCF is not just shaping careers but cultivating a new generation of leaders poised to make a lasting impact on climate change in the African Continent.