Every year, the Youth City-Changing Faces Competition invites young people to imagine how forgotten spaces can be reborn. But what happens when imagination meets determination? Back in 2018, Komb Green Solutions, in Korogocho, answered that question with an innovation that is feeding families and inspiring the community. Komb Green entered the competition with a bold plan: reclaim a dumpsite by the Nairobi River. But they didn’t just clear the waste and plant trees. They experimented with hydroponics and tiered garden systems, turning an unsafe space into a working community farm.

Where waste once piled high, Komb Green built tiered gardens sprouting spinach, kale, onions, and herbs. This creative use of limited space showed how the youth can tackle not just the lack of safe public spaces, but also food insecurity. With support and mentorship from Public Space Network, the group turned a neglected corner of their Mtaa into the locally popular Komb Green Solutions. A park offering the community a space of safety, sustenance and pride. As submissions for this year’s competition have closed, the spotlight turns to the new teams. Komb Green’s journey offers a glimpse of what’s at stake: forgotten spaces reborn, communities reconnected, and lives reshaped.

Soon, we’ll see how this year’s competitors transform their chosen spaces. Who will step into Komb Green’s shoes? Which community will unveil the next inspiring story of change? And most importantly, who will emerge as this year’s winner? Stay tuned. The journey from forgotten to flourishing is just beginning.