Nairobi, Kenya — February 17, 2026
Global Peace Foundation Kenya has formalized a strategic partnership with the Rotary Club of Nairobi and the Chandaria Foundation to create a unified ecosystem for youth leadership development and environmental peacebuilding. The collaboration marks a major step toward bridging grassroots action with global leadership opportunities while accelerating Kenya’s environmental restoration goals.
The partnership integrates Global Peace Foundation Kenya’s leadership development pathways—including the President’s Fellowship and Global Peace Leadership Corps—with Rotary’s established mentorship platforms such as Interact and Rotaract. This alignment creates a seamless pipeline enabling young people to grow from community service participants into globally recognized ethical leaders.
The strategic partnership focuses on two key pillars:
1. Youth Leadership and Certification:
Scaling the President’s Fellowship pathway to connect Kenyan youth to international volunteer opportunities, leadership certification, and global service networks.
2. Environmental Peacebuilding:
Accelerating the Million Tree Initiative by leveraging Rotary’s extensive community network and the Chandaria Foundation’s 20 tree nurseries to expand reforestation efforts across Kenya’s 47 counties, positioning environmental stewardship as a catalyst for peace, climate resilience, and community cohesion.
The meeting convened key leaders including Kalpa Padia, President of the Rotary Club of Nairobi; Vincent Rapando, Programs Manager at the Chandaria Foundation; Daniel Juma, Africa Regional Representative at Global Peace Foundation; David Caprara, Strategic Advisor and International Vice President at Global Peace Foundation; and Japheth Ouda, Environment Manager at Global Peace Foundation Kenya.
Speaking during the meeting, Kalpa Padia, President of the Rotary Club of Nairobi, emphasized Rotary’s long-standing commitment to youth leadership and community transformation.
“Rotary has always believed that sustainable change begins with empowered young people. By partnering with Global Peace Foundation Kenya and the Chandaria Foundation, we are strengthening a leadership pipeline that begins at the community level and extends to the global stage.”
Vincent Rapando, Programs Manager at the Chandaria Foundation, highlighted the role of environmental stewardship in shaping responsible leaders.
“Environmental restoration is not only about planting trees—it is about nurturing responsibility, resilience, and leadership among young people who will shape Kenya’s future. This partnership allows us to scale impact while building a generation committed to service.”
Daniel Juma, Africa Regional Representative at Global Peace Foundation, noted that the collaboration represents a strategic shift toward systemic leadership development.
“This is not just a partnership agreement—it is a force multiplier. We are creating a structured pathway where young people can move from local service to global leadership, connecting grassroots peacebuilding efforts in Kenya to international platforms.”
David Caprara, Strategic Advisor and International Vice President at Global Peace Foundation, underscored the global significance of Kenya’s leadership model.
“What makes this partnership powerful is its ability to connect grassroots action in Kenya to a global movement of peacebuilders. We are building a leadership culture that strengthens communities while contributing to global peace and sustainable development.”
Japheth Ouda, Environment Manager at Global Peace Foundation Kenya, emphasized the importance of environmental restoration in building peaceful and resilient societies.
“Environmental restoration is one of the most powerful tools for peacebuilding. Through initiatives like the Million Tree Initiative, we are empowering communities and young leaders to take ownership of their environment and their future.”
Through this partnership, Global Peace Foundation Kenya, Rotary Club of Nairobi, and the Chandaria Foundation aim to scale leadership development and environmental restoration nationwide. The collaboration aligns with Kenya’s national climate commitments, Vision 2030, and global sustainable development priorities, positioning youth as central drivers of peace, environmental stewardship, and social transformation.
By connecting local action with global opportunity, the partnership reinforces Global Peace Foundation’s vision of building a world guided by shared values and the ideal of One Family under God.
