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We're excited to host the Elevate Children Funders Group's 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi, Kenya. Together, we will explore and capitalize on the synchronicities that make us greater than the sum of our parts - with each other, with young people, and with the local cultures and communities we serve.

ECFG AGM - June 4-6, 2024

Better Together: Bridging Funders, Young People, and Community for Collective Impact

Click through the tabs below to learn 'why Nairobi?', explore the program, register, submit a side event, learn more about who can attend and how much it costs, find out where to stay, navigate the travel & visa process, and get any other questions answered. We are thrilled to be taking a collaborative approach to this year's AGM with the Global Early Childhood Funders network, offering opportunities for increased alignment and collaboration across the children's field. Learn more.

FAQs

travel & visas

accommodation

fees

hold a side event

Register

program

When & Where

Join us in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore and capitalize on the synchronicities that make us greater than the sum of our parts - with each other, with young people, and with the local cultures and communities we serve

When & Where

Building on the foundation we laid at the 2022 AGM, where we focused on fostering relationships among members, this year we aim to ground ourselves in community and place. Nairobi, with its rich tapestry of culture and innovation in children’s rights and wellbeing, provides the perfect backdrop for advancing collective action for the most marginalized families. By convening in Nairobi, we aim to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experiences of local organizations and young people to help us better understand local challenges and solutions. 

Historically, the ECFG AGMs have rotated between the US, the UK, and Europe. As the ECFG membership continues to be more reflective of the global landscape, adding a location in the Global South to this rotation is essential to ensuring we host a more inclusive and equitable forum for global participation. This decision acknowledges the disparities in travel freedoms associated with passport nationality, where individuals from the Global North have historically enjoyed greater ease of access to international events due to less restrictive visa requirements. Conversely, members from the Global South often face daunting barriers, from exhaustive application processes to high fees and stringent documentation demands, limiting their ability to engage in valuable global exchanges.By hosting the meeting in Nairobi, the we are directly addressing these challenges, ensuring that diverse perspectives and experiences are not only welcomed but actively sought. In doing so, ECFG is setting a precedent for more inclusive practices, highlighting the importance of considering location as a key factor in promoting global equity and access.

But Nairobi is not only a hub for progressive and innovative approaches to addressing the challenges faced by marginalized children, it is also a delightful city to visit. With breathtaking national parks, a vibrant art and music scene, incredible food, and a lively nightlife, there’s something for everyone. Join us in Nairobi for more than just discussions; immerse yourself in the diverse offerings of this incredible city… 

  • Breathtaking National Parks and wildlife: Nairobi is surrounded by beautiful national parks, offering a unique opportunity to witness the wonders of wildlife. From the Nairobi National Park to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to the Giraffe Center, members can embark on a safari adventure within the city.
  • Vibrant Art and Music Scene: Immerse yourself in Nairobi's lively art, music, and design scene. Explore galleries showcasing contemporary African art, attend live music performances, and experience the cultural heartbeat of the city. 
  • Indulge in Incredible Food: For culinary enthusiasts, Nairobi is a paradise. From local street food to fine dining, the city offers a diverse foodie experience. Sample authentic Kenyan dishes and international cuisine, making your visit a delightful culinary journey.
  • Experience Lively Nightlife: As the sun sets, Nairobi comes alive. From trendy rooftop bars to eclectic clubs, there's something for everyone. Connect with fellow members in a relaxed atmosphere, fostering relationships beyond the meeting space.

We understand the importance of making the most of your visit. To enhance your experience, we'll provide travel guidance and tourism tips. Our team will offer insights into navigating the city, highlighting cultural landmarks and recommending local gems. Whether through guided tours, cultural exchanges, or community engagements, we will aim to create meaningful connections to Nairobi that extend beyond the AGM. 

Nairobi's creative energy is bound to leave a lasting impression!

Why Nairobi?

register

We're excited to host the Elevate Children Funders Group's 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Nairobi, Kenya. Our decision to hold the 2024 AGM in East Africa aligns with the extensive grantmaking efforts of our members and their strong connections to community-led change in the region. The title of this year's AGM is "Better Together: Bridging funders, young people, and community for collective impact." Together, we will explore and capitalize on the synchronicities that make us greater than the sum of our parts - with each other, with young people, and with the local cultures and communities we serve.

June 4-6, 2024

Mövenpick Hotel - Nairobi, Kenya

Questions? Contact the Secretariat anytime!

program

We invite members and partners to consider hosting side events on Monday or Friday, before or after the AGM. That said, the Secretariat’s primary role in side events will be amplification and appreciation. We will be happy to include information promoting your side event on the AGM website & app. We are not able to provide logistical support or coordination. We are happy to connect you with the venue to book a conference room. If you would like us to advertise your side event, please tell us about it here.

Side Events

We are thrilled to be taking a collaborative approach to this year's AGM with the Global Early Childhood Funders network, offering opportunities for increased alignment and collaboration across the children's field. While each group's AGM is a unique event, with separate registration, we are joining in partnership with the same meeting dates, venue, and a joint day of programming (as well a joint welcome dinner and community reception). The first and third day of each AGM will be parallel, but separate, events. On the second day, we will hold joint programming, with members of both groups invited to submit session proposals.

Bridging Silos: Partnering with the Global Early Childhood Funders network

*While there will not be tourism opportunities built into the AGM, we will offer registrants a list of tourist opportunities through our AGM app, Whova.
Opportunities for side events, tourism*, outside meetings, etc.
(see below)

June 7

Open Spaces
Taking Action
Closing Plenary

June 6

ECFG/GECF Merge
Breakout Sessions
Site Visits
Reception

June 5

Registration
Welcome Plenary
Breakout Sessions
Welcome Dinner

June 4

Opportunities for side events, tourism*, outside meetings, etc.
(see below)

June 3

Inspiration and accountability, including site visits & direct youth feedback
Opportunities to care for & ground ourselves, with breaks to rest and rejuvenate.
An open space for critical conversations sparked by the first two days of the convening
Time for building connections & facilitating peer support & knowledge exchange.
Deep-dive plenaries & breakouts exploring cross-cutting topics & grantmaking challenges

Program & Agenda Overview

We will connect to place and communities most affected.  We know that community leadership works, and that the most effective and powerful change is led by the people most affected by issues. We will seek to highlight approaches, programs, and other work within the East African region. We will be working to make the full conference grounded in the local context, asking questions such as: How do we work with those most affected and ensure their leadership? What is the reality of our issue focus-areas in East Africa? What can we learn from lived expertise and local philanthropies? 

We will work toward shifting philanthropy, with and for young people. Child and youth leaders are at the forefront of movements and community organizations worldwide - in human rights, climate change, social justice, and development - but are systematically excluded from movement funding by large funders and they receive little direct funding for community-based work. Together, we will explore how to ensure that philanthropy recognizes the central role that young people play in achieving its goals.

Three themes will guide us as we explore and capitalize on the synchronicities that make us greater than the sum of our parts:

We will work collectively to center the whole child across silos. In a world where children and families who exist outside the siloes of development or ministries must navigate myriad challenges, our approaches must transcend the confines of these traditional silos. We will explore what working through the lens of a holistic life-course approach looks like, and how we can work most effectively in collaboration.

Bridging funders, young people, and community for collective impact

Better Together

Register

Registration has closed. Thanks for your interest!

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hold a side event

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fees

AGM Admission includes:
  • All sessions & programming for the 3-day conference (or individual days, if day-rate tickets).
  • Lunch and coffee/tea during breaks all three days.
  • Welcome dinner on Tuesday evening.
  • Community reception on Wednesday evening, including drinks & entertainment.
  • For those staying at the venue, daily buffet breakfasts are also included.

Please note: ECFG does not profit from the AGM. Each ticket covers roughly half of the per person cost, with ECFG covering the balance.

What's included

Please note: The AGM is a safe space to strategize and strengthen collaboration to create a better world with and for young people. As such, this is a non-solicitation space.

ECFG Members: $650 / person. To ensure we are able maximize the benefits of this rare time together as a community, we ask that members register for the full conference. We are not offering day rates for member registration.

External Guests: $850 / person for the full conference, or $320 / day if they wish to only attend select days.

Solidarity Rate for organizations with a budget under $300k: $250 for the full conference, or $95 / day.

External Speakers: The registration fee for the day of the speaker’s presentation will be waived. If they wish to attend the full conference, they may do so at 50% off the regular fee.

If cost is prohibitive to your attendance, please reach out to the ECFG Secretariat.

Fees

register

ECFG Members: The AGM is open to all ECFG members. Member registration will launch February 5th. We encourage members to please register by March 1st. Member registration will remain open through March 31st and non-member registration will open on April 1st, based on anticipated capacity. (If you are interested in becoming a member, please review our membership requirements and reach out if your organization aligns with the criteria!)

Member Partners: Members are invited to sponsor a grantee or local partner to attend on an invitation-only basis. During registration, members will have the opportunity to hold spaces for partners. Those partners will then be invited to register April 1, 2024.

External Partners: Depending on capacity, we will invite a limited number of external partners (non-member funders, independent consultants, representatives of other funder networks, etc) to register beginning April 1, 2024. Please complete this Expression of Interest form if you are interested in attending.

GECF Members: We will have one day of joint programming with the Global Early Childhood Funders Annual Meeting. (GECF members should register through GECF.) If your organization is a member of both groups, we welcome you to register for the full AGM and/or send multiple representatives to attend the separate meeting days.

Speakers: ECFG and GECF members are invited to submit session proposals, including those that include external speakers. Speakers for selected sessions will be invited to register for the full conference (see fee structure).

Who can attend

Accommodation

Price: $120
Location: Waiyaki Way, Nairobi,800,Kenya
Email: info.nairobi@parkinn.com
Phone: +254 70 9498 000
Distance from venue: ~15 minute walk
Book here
Price: $60 - $70
Location: 19 Mpaka Road, Westlands
Email: reservations@lotos.co.ke
Phone: +254 780 168168; +254 727 168169
Distance from venue: ~10 minute walk
Book here
Price: $155
Location: Karuna Road behind Sarit Centre, Nairobi, 00606 Kenya
Email: N/A
Phone: 
  • Toll Free (US & Canada) 1(800) 780-7234
  • Worldwide Numbers
  • Hotel Direct Number: +254 746 444444
Distance from venue: ~10 minute walk
Book here
Price: $90 - $110
Location: Woodvale Close, off Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi
Email: sales@jacarandahotels.com
Phone: +254 711 089 000; +254 100 130 241
Distance from venue: ~8 minute walk
Book here
Price: $150 - $175
Location: Mkungu Close, Nairobi, Kenya
Email: reservations@citybluehotels.com
Phone: +254706500900
Distance from venue: ~1 minute walk
Book here
There are a number of other hotels in the area, should you wish not to stay at the venue. Options include:

Alternative Accommodations

Please contact Wilson Ndagara with any booking questions.

Please contact Wilson Ndagara with any booking questions.

Please include any accessibility preferences and needs in the registration form. Guest & meeting rooms are wheelchair accessible & we are committed to ensuring that AGM spaces are accessible for all abilities.

book at the venue

We have reserved a room block of 70 rooms at the venue Monday, 3 June-Thursday, 6 June for $180 USD/night, available for booking on a first come, first serve basis.

❖ Room Rate is inclusive of 25% statutory taxes (16% VAT, 7% service charge, 2% catering levy). 
❖ Rate is inclusive of buffet breakfast. 
❖ Rate is valid two (2) days before the arrival and two (2) days after the group booking. 
❖ Airport Transfers may be arranged on request.
❖ All rooms in the block are Superior King rooms.

room block information

Mövenpick Hotel Nairobi

Travel & Visas

Please apply online using their new electronic visa processing system at http://evisa.go.ke/. Processing time is three (3) working days (in some cases it may take longer). Follow the instructions below to apply, obtain, and use your visa for the Republic of Kenya.

You will need the following documents ready before starting your application:
  1. Passport that is valid for at least six (6) months after your planned date of arrival into Kenya, with at least one blank page 
  2. Passport-type photo (selfies work!)
  3. Details of your arrival and departure itinerary
  4. AGM participation letter (ECFG to provide following registration)
  5. Accommodation booking confirmation(s)
  6. Credit card, debit card, or other means of payment
  7.  Depending on your country of residence and citizenships, financial assets / banks letter(s) may also be required

Visa application process:
  1. Go to http://evisa.go.ke/ and create an evisa account
  2. Once logged in, select Department of Immigration Services
  3. Select Submit Application
  4. Select Kenyan Visa
  5. Select the type of Visa - single entry visa
  6. Complete and submit application form
  7. Pay using credit or debit card
  8. To check on the status, log back in to http://evisa.go.ke/ and check the status next to your application number. When it reads, “Issued,” it’s been approved.
  9. Download and print the eVisa from your eCitizen account
  10. Present your printed eVisa to the immigration officer at the port of departure and port of entry.

Please note:
  • The e-Visa printout must be presented at the port of departure and port of entry.
  • It should take at least 3 working days to get your eVisa. The Visa processing fee is non-refundable.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected.

For more information, visit evisa.go.ke.

How do I Apply?

  • Holders of valid Kenya Passports, Permanent Residence, valid Work Permits and Passes.
  • Citizens of the East African Partner States; Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. (Exempted for six (6) months)
  • Holders of valid United Nation Conventional Travel Document issued by the Government of Kenya.
  • Members of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations Accredited to Kenya.


Persons who are exempt from obtaining the Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA):

please note: Nearly all visitors who intend to travel to the Republic of Kenya must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before the start of their journey

Visa Requirements

faqs

The official AGM programming will begin the morning of 4 June and end the afternoon of 6 June. Members and partners may choose to host side events on Monday the 3rd and Friday the 7th, and the Secretariat will provide a list of tourism opportunities for those days, so we recommend arriving on 2 June and departing on 8 June if you wish to take full advantage of these opportunities. Transfers from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport can be arranged through hotels. Alternatively, taxis and Uber are available at the airport.

When should I plan to arrive and depart? Will there be airport transfers available?

As one of our themes for this AGM is connecting to place and communities most affected, members are invited to propose site visits, which may be offered as a track of sessions for one afternoon or as side events on Monday the 3rd or Friday the 7th. Please select "Propose a Session" above to propose a site visit and the Secretariat will reach out for further discussion on how it will be best placed within the convening. 

Will there be site visits?

Yes! Members and partners are welcome to host side events on Monday or Friday, before or after the AGM. That said, the Secretariat’s primary role in side events will be amplification and appreciation. We will be happy to include information promoting your side event on the AGM website & app. We are not able to provide logistical support or coordination. We are happy to connect you with the venue to book a conference room. If you would like us to advertise your side event, please tell us about it here.

Can I host a side event?

Our decision to hold the 2024 AGM in East Africa aligns with the extensive grantmaking efforts of our members and their strong connections to community-led change in the region. Please select "Where & When" above for a full explanation.

Why Nairobi?

Select "Submit a Session" for the session guidelines and proposal submission form.

How to submit a session proposal

Nearly all visitors who intend to travel to the Republic of Kenya must have an approved Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before the start of their journey. It will take at least 3 working days to get your eVisa. The Visa processing fee of USD $34.09/traveler is non-refundable. Select "Travel & Visas" above for a full rundown on the visa application process.

Visa timeline and cost

Cancellations received before 1 May 2024 will be refunded, minus a $100 cancellation fee. Cancellations received 1-31 May 2024 will be eligible for a 50% refund. Registrations can also be transferred. Email Zoe at zoe.trout@elevatechildren.org to cancel or transfer your registration. No refunds will be given for no-shows or cancellations received after 31 May.

Cancellations and Refunds

We ask that no more than six (6) representatives per organization attend, not including invited partners.

How many people can register per organization?

All ECFG members are welcome to attend, and each member is invited to sponsor a partner to attend with them. External partners may attend on an invite-only basis (please complete the Expression of Interest form if you're interested in attending). We will have one day of joint programming with the Global Early Childhood Funders Annual Meeting. ECFG and GECF members are invited to submit session proposals, including those that include external speakers. Speakers for selected sessions will be invited to register for the full conference. Please select "Fees" above for a full breakdown of who can attend.

Who can attend?

The registration fee is $650 for ECFG members, $850 for external partners, and $250 for civil society organizations with a budget under $300k. External speakers for selected sessions will receive a 50% discount.  Admission includes all sessions & programming, daily lunch and coffee/tea during breaks, the welcome dinner on Tuesday evening, and the community reception on Wednesday evening. For those staying at the venue, daily buffet breakfasts are also included. Please select "Fees" above for a full breakdown of registration fees and what they include.

What is the registration fee, and what does it cover? 

Select "Register" above or click here to load the registration form in a new tab.

How do I register?

June 4-6, 2024 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. Select "When & Where" above for more information.

When and where?

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