In November 2024, Citified Farms Chief Marketing Officer, Augustine Okoth, completed the prestigious Earthshot Prize Climate Youth Leadership Programme, an initiative that brought together 120 young changemakers from across Africa and Asia to tackle climate challenges and drive sustainable solutions. Held in Cape Town- South Africa, the event provided an immersive platform for emerging leaders to collaborate, share ideas, and amplify their impact in addressing the world’s most pressing environmental issues.
A Transformative Experience for Climate Action
The Earthshot Prize Youth Programme offered Augustine Okoth and fellow participants the opportunity to engage in high-level discussions, expert-led workshops, and hands-on learning experiences. The program’s goal was to inspire young leaders to think boldly and take decisive action in their communities to combat climate change and promote sustainability.
Reflecting on the experience, Augustine shared her excitement about participating in the program: “Being part of this initiative has been nothing short of transformative. Meeting fellow changemakers, sharing our work at Citified Farms, and learning from experts in climate action has reinforced our commitment to driving sustainable urban agriculture.”
A key highlight of the program was Augustine’s one-on-one interaction with Prince William, where she had the opportunity to present Citified Farms’ groundbreaking work in sustainable urban farming. She showcased the impact of vertical hydroponic towers, which allow urban households to grow fresh produce with minimal space and water usage, contributing to food security and climate resilience.
“Sharing our story with Prince William was an honor,” Augustine remarked. “It reaffirmed the importance of our work and inspired us to push further in creating greener and healthier urban spaces.”
Key Takeaways from the Earthshot Programme
Throughout the multi-day event, Augustine participated in sessions that delved deep into the intersection of climate action, sustainable business models, and community engagement. Some of the key insights from the program included:
- Resilience and Persistence: A recurring theme was the importance of persistence in advocating for sustainability solutions. Augustine emphasized the need for climate innovators to stay the course despite challenges, noting that breakthroughs often come through consistent effort and storytelling.
- Creative Problem-Solving: With climate challenges intensifying, participants were encouraged to think creatively beyond passion and leverage innovation to develop scalable, impactful solutions.
- Storytelling for Impact: On Day 3 of the program, Augustine attended storytelling workshops led by industry giants such as YouTube, National Geographic, and Radio Workshop. The sessions focused on how to craft compelling narratives that inspire action and influence change, an essential tool for organizations like Citified Farms to connect with broader audiences.
- Giving Nature a Seat at the Table: Discussions emphasized the need to reframe humanity’s relationship with nature, highlighting sustainable eco-tourism, responsible resource management, and long-term planning to protect natural ecosystems for future generations.
“One of the biggest lessons I took away from this experience is that nature’s value will only increase over time,” Augustine reflected.
“Sustainable funding models can help us blend profit with impact, ensuring long-term environmental stewardship.”
Spotlight on Innovation and Recognition
A key moment during the summit was the Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony, described by Augustine as the “Grammys for climate action.” The awards celebrated groundbreaking solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, with winners receiving £1 million in funding to scale their innovations.
Among the winners was Keep IT Cool (Kenya), recognized for their efforts in building a waste-free world—an achievement that resonated deeply with Augustine as a proud Kenyan. Other notable winners included:
- Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) – Awarded for initiatives to clean our air.
- Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative – Recognized for protecting and restoring nature.
- High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People – Working to revive oceans.
- Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems – Innovating to fix our climate.
“Seeing Kenyan innovation being recognized on a global stage was truly inspiring,” Augustine said. “It reinforces our belief that African solutions can contribute meaningfully to the global fight against climate change.”
The Road Ahead for Citified Farms
Armed with new insights and a broader network of like-minded changemakers, Citified Farms is set to scale its impact across Africa. Augustine is determined to integrate lessons from the program into the company’s mission of tackling urban food security challenges.
Citified Farms’ vertical hydroponic solutions aim to:
- Address food insecurity by enabling urban households to grow their own fresh produce.
- Reduce water usage with hydroponic systems that use 90% less water compared to traditional farming.
- Promote environmental sustainability by greening urban spaces and reducing carbon footprints.
As part of its next steps, Citified Farms will focus on:
- Expanding partnerships with local and international stakeholders to enhance adoption and impact.
- Advocating for urban food policies that support sustainable farming initiatives.
- Empowering communities with practical knowledge and resources to start their own hydroponic gardens.
Gratitude and Acknowledgements
Augustine expressed gratitude to Common Purpose, The Earthshot Prize, and their sponsors, including the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, DP World, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Temasek Foundation, and TPC (Tsao Pao Chee), for making the program a reality. She also acknowledged the support of the Citified Farms team, whose dedication continues to drive the company’s vision of creating sustainable urban spaces.
“This experience has reinforced my belief that collaboration is the key to solving the climate crisis,” Augustine said. “We are stronger when we work together, and I’m excited to bring the knowledge and connections gained back to Citified Farms.”
Looking Forward
Citified Farms remains committed to its mission of driving sustainable urban farming solutions in Africa and beyond. With a strengthened network, valuable learnings, and unwavering determination, the company is set to make 2025 a transformative year for urban agriculture and climate action.
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