With a growing economy and being an increasingly popular investment destination, both domestic and foreign business activity in Kenya has surged over the past years. In addition, the country has a relatively young population and many of the country’s economic sectors offer business opportunities. Despite these developments, the country has faced challenges on various dimensions of social-economic development. Against this background, corporate social responsibility (CSR), defined as firms’ roles and responsibilities in contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable economy, may play an important role in combating social and ecological challenges and strengthening Kenyan business at the same time. Dutch and Kenyan governments and businesses have taken the initiative to develop a knowledge centre for sustainable and inclusive business in Kenya (KSIB-K). This initiative sprung from a Dutch trade mission to Kenya in 2013. The Dutch CSR knowledge centre, MVO Nederland, was invited to contribute in this trade mission with the objective to disseminate knowledge and expertise on CSR and participate in a multi-stakeholder dialogue on CSR in the Kenyan flower sector. After a series of roundtables talks on CSR and sustainability in which Kenyan and Dutch organizations participated, the plan was conceived to develop KSIB-K and, as an integral part of it, build a local CSR business network. Among the goals of the KSIB-K are building CSR skills in Kenyan firms, propagating a holistic view of CSR that goes beyond philanthropic conceptions of the subject, CSR best practice and knowledge sharing, and stimulating doing responsible business both within Kenya and between Kenya and its business partners, including the Netherlands. While individual Kenyan companies may lack the resources, skills, willingness and experience to engage in responsible business, a CSR business network could bundle these and existing initiatives to create a movement of inclusive and sustainable business that benefits companies and society alike. This chapter will focus on the short history of the initiative to develop KSIB-K and the Kenyan CSR business network, place it within the current ‘state of CSR thinking and practice’ in Kenya and its role in international business and sketch its roadmap for the years to come. This chapter will also pay attention to the role of governments in encouraging responsible business, activities that will be deployed to stimulate Kenyan business to develop CSR knowledge and skills, and possible risks associated with developing such a new CSR business network.
VHL University of Applied Sciences (VHL) is a sustainable University of AppliedSciences that trains students to be ambitious, innovative professionals andcarries out applied research to make a significant contribution to asustainable world. Together with partners from the field, they contribute to innovative and sustainable developments through research and knowledge valorisation. Their focus is on circular agriculture, water, healthy food & nutrition, soil and biodiversity – themes that are developed within research lines in the variousapplied research groups. These themes address the challenges that are part ofthe international sustainability agenda for 2030: the sustainable developmentgoals (SDGs). This booklet contains fascinating and representative examplesof projects – completed or ongoing, from home and abroad – that are linked tothe SDGs. The project results contribute not only to the SDGs but to their teaching as well.
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The consortium would like to contribute to structural reduction of post-harvest and food losses and food quality improvement in Kenyan avocado and dairy value chains via the application of technical solutions and tools as well as improved chain governance competences in those food chains. The consortium has four types of partners: 1. Universities (2 Kenyan, 4 Dutch), 2. Private sector actors in those chains, 3. Organisations supporting those chains, and 4. Associate partners which support category 1 to 3 partners through co-financing, advice and reflection. The FORQLAB project targets two areas in Kenya for both commodities, a relatively well-developed chain in the central highlands and a less-develop chain in Western-Kenya. The approach is business to business and the selected regions have great potential for uptake of successful chain innovations as outcome of research results. The results are scalable for other fresh and processed product chains via a living lab network approach. The project consists of 5 work packages (WPs): 1. Inventory , status quo and inception, 2. Applied research, 3. Dissemination of research outputs through living lab networks, 4. Translation of project output in curricula and trainings, and 5. Communication among partners and WPs. The applied research will be implemented in cooperation with all partners, whereby students of the consortium universities will conduct most of the field studies and all other partners support and interact depending on the WPs. The expected outcomes are: two knowledge exchange platforms (Living Labs) supported with hands on sustainable food waste reduction implementation plans (agenda strategy); overview and proposals for ready ICT and other tech solutions; communication and teaching materials for universities and TVETs; action perspectives; and knowledge transfer and uptake.
