"Public spaces are rapidly disappearing in Nairobi. This is mostly due to capture of local authorities by private interests that then appropriate these spaces for private gain. The few public spaces that remain are in poor and neglected state.

Public Space Network (PSN) has been working with communities in Nairobi since 2014 to regenerate public spaces to make them clean, green, safe and productive. We are the largest network or community driven organisations reclaiming public spaces in Nairobi and have collaborated with local communities in over 400 spaces working with more than 5000 youth. We are also recipients of both local and international awards/recognition. However, the pace at which we're reaching out to communities needs to be radically accelerated especially as we head towards the national elections. This is the period when most public spaces tend to be irregularly allocated. The elections will be held in August 2022.

As part of our accelerated outreach, we are proposing a project known as Artstorm. During the event, we'll invite at least 100 youth teams to create 100 small green spaces within their respective community. We'll be looking for spaces that have a public facing wall onto which we'll invite over 100 grassroots artists to paint murals. All the 100 art pieces will be done within a period of one week, hence the ""storm"". We believe that the combination of green community spaces and vibrant art on the respective walls could help drive greater interest in this subject and also build an even wider network of community members protecting public spaces.

Additionally, we propose that selected art murals will be minted into NFTs with the proceeds going to support both the local artists and the place-makers that are creating the community green spaces. The walls and the spaces will also form a part of the events and highlights of the UN led Urban October to be held later this year.

We're looking to raise funding to support teams to purchase PPEs to use when creating the spaces. Most spaces are acting as semi-garbage dumps and host a lot of toxic materials. We would want the teams to work in safe conditions. We estimate it would cost about US$100 to US$150 to support PPE materials for each of the spaces."

It all begins with an idea. Tell us yours and the community will vote on what to fund next.