Space4Innovation's Participation in the Green Accountability Technology Accelerator

“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” — Baba Dioum

Climate change is devastating Indigenous communities in northern Kenya, particularly the pastoralist Samburu tribe. Severe droughts, minimal government support, and escalating conflicts over scarce resources demand immediate action. The northernmost counties, including Turkana, Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo, Mandera, and Garissa, are suffering immensely. The ongoing Horn of Africa drought, the worst in over 40 years, has led to devastating loss of life and livelihoods, underscoring the urgent need for innovative solutions.

In 2020, Space4Innovation co-designed a challenge with the Samburu tribe for its #IndigenousHackathon, an annual initiative that weaves Indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge technology through a bespoke methodology that places community needs at the center of the design process. The Namunyak Challenge, presented by Titus Letaapo , a distinguished Samburu leader, sought a tool for mapping Samburu territory without the need for literacy. The Symbols team, winners of the hackathon, ( Yoanna Dimitrova William B. Lucandrea Mancini & Nicolas Marin Correa) inspired by chess notation, developed a symbol-based system for universal mapping. Dr. Mancini, a team member and professional chess player, noted, "The position of each piece on a chessboard is universally described by a combination of letters and numbers [..] but you can also use symbols. The same logic can be used to name places on any map."

Today, we are proud to announce our participation in the Green Accountability Technology Accelerator. This program, run by Climate Collective and 世界银行 Global Partnership for Social Accountability (#GPSA), will help us test and scale innovative solutions co-created with the Samburu tribe, bridging gaps in transparency, accountability, and participation in climate finance.

Titus Letaapo highlights the significant impact the app will have on the Samburu tribe in several key areas:

1. Enhanced communication: The app will facilitate communication with local government, enabling the community to request assistance and access services without the need for physical travel. Additionally, it will improve communication among community members, park rangers, and policymakers.
2. Territorial mapping: By accurately visualizing and mapping Samburu territories, the app will support land documentation, land use planning, and sustainable resource management, integrating local knowledge with modern technology.
3. Conflict resolution: The app will help reduce conflicts over resources by mapping available resources and promoting collaboration and peace among the Samburu and neighboring communities.
4. Global adaptation: The project's development could serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges worldwide, allowing for adaptation of the app to meet their specific needs.

Joining us on this journey are members of the Naapu Ntomonok team ( Miroslawa Alunowska Figueroa, DPhil (Oxon) & Benard Odhiambo ), winners of our 2022 #IndigenousHackathon. Naapu Ntomonok, which means "uplifting women" in Samburu, is led by Lilian Balanga Nguracha, founder of grassroots Indigenous conservation effort called Women Conserve and a gender specialist from the Samburu tribe. Together, through the #IndigenousHackathon, they are co-developing and testing an app to enhance the resilience of Samburu women to climate change and facilitate better connections with the local government.

Lilian Nguracha aptly captures the essence of our mission in her 2024 interview with Cultural Survival, stating,

"Indigenous Peoples are being left out and exploited by technology. Investments need to be made in tech projects that incorporate Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. Technology impacts many lives and these platforms have to be very simple, accessible, and usable to the people because, at the end of the day, the people will benefit from them." (Lilian Nguracha 2024)

Learn more about Naapu Ntomonok and its connection to climate change in the video below.

Through this program, our teams will work together to meet the diverse needs of the Samburu tribe, recognizing and supporting the unique roles and contributions of both men and women in adapting to a changing climate. This journey exemplifies the extraordinary impact of global unity and creativity in tackling climate change.

We are excited to join this global community, leveraging coaching sessions and networking opportunities with experts and investors to contribute to a more efficient and trustworthy climate finance ecosystem. This program provides the resources needed to bring our shared vision to life, supporting the Samburu community as they navigate a changing climate with resilience and ingenuity.

If you would like to know more or get involved, please reach out to [email protected]

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