Fondation Saint Dominique Savio (FSDS) has established a strong partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to address environmental sustainability and energy access challenges in Burundian and Congolese refugee camps in Rwanda. This collaboration is aligned with FSDS’s mandate to promote climate resilience, environmental protection, and sustainable energy solutions, while supporting the well-being of refugee populations.

Objectives of the Collaboration
The partnership focuses on :
Environmental Restoration and Conservation : Mitigating deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation within and around refugee settlements.
Sustainable Energy Access : Promoting renewable energy solutions to reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal, thereby lowering environmental pressure.
Community Engagement and Livelihoods : Involving refugees in reforestation and sustainable energy initiatives to develop skills, foster ownership, and promote environmental stewardship.

Tree Planting and Environmental Initiatives

As part of this collaboration, FSDS has planted over 500,000 trees across multiple refugee camps hosting Burundian and Congolese populations. This initiative serves several purposes :

Environmental Protection : Trees help combat deforestation, improve soil quality, and enhance biodiversity in areas impacted by high population density and resource extraction.

Climate Resilience : Reforestation contributes to carbon sequestration and creates microclimates that support agriculture and local ecosystems.

Community Participation : Refugees actively participate in tree nurseries, planting, and maintenance, building skills in agroforestry, environmental management, and sustainable livelihoods.

The project emphasizes inclusive participation, targeting women, youth, and vulnerable groups, ensuring that benefits are widely shared within the refugee communities.

Energy Sector Interventions

FSDS works with UNHCR to promote sustainable energy solutions aimed at reducing dependency on firewood, which is a primary cause of deforestation in refugee camps. Activities include :

Awareness Campaigns : Educating refugees on the benefits of alternative energy sources, energy conservation, and the environmental impact of traditional biomass use.

Distribution of Sustainable Energy Solutions : Piloting clean cooking technologies, improved cookstoves, and other renewable energy options to decrease fuelwood consumption.

Capacity Building : Training community members to operate, maintain, and promote sustainable energy solutions, fostering local expertise and self-reliance.

Collaboration Mechanisms

The partnership between FSDS and UNHCR is structured to ensure efficiency, accountability, and alignment with both organizational and donor priorities :

Joint Planning and Implementation : FSDS and UNHCR collaboratively identify priority sites, plan tree planting and energy initiatives, and coordinate field activities.

Monitoring and Evaluation : FSDS tracks tree growth, survival rates, and energy adoption metrics, reporting results to UNHCR to demonstrate impact and inform adaptive management.

Community Mobilization : FSDS engages camp leadership and refugee committees to ensure participation, ownership, and sustainability of interventions.

Integration with Broader Programs : The environmental and energy projects complement other UNHCR programs, such as education, livelihoods, and health, fostering holistic development and resilience within the camps.

Impact of the Collaboration

The FSDS–UNHCR collaboration has delivered significant environmental and social benefits, including :

Reforestation of degraded land with over 500,000 trees, contributing to carbon sequestration and improved ecosystem services.

Reduced pressure on local forests by promoting sustainable energy use and reducing reliance on firewood.

Skills development and empowerment of refugee populations, particularly women and youth, in agroforestry, environmental management, and energy technologies.

Enhanced climate resilience in refugee settlements, supporting long-term sustainability and community well-being.

Through its collaboration with UNHCR, FSDS has successfully combined environmental conservation and sustainable energy initiatives with community empowerment in Burundian and Congolese refugee camps. By planting over 500,000 trees, promoting renewable energy solutions, and involving refugees in project implementation, FSDS contributes to sustainable development, climate resilience, and improved livelihoods within the camps. This partnership exemplifies FSDS’s commitment to integrating environmental sustainability into humanitarian programming, aligning with both national priorities and international frameworks for refugee protection and climate action.

FSDS Collaboration with WFP

Food-for-Work in Gicumbi and Gakenke Districts (2006–2012)

Between 2006 and 2010, Fondation Saint Dominique Savio (FSDS) collaborated closely with the World Food Programme (WFP) under the Food-for-Work (FFW) initiative to improve community resilience, food security, and sustainable livelihoods in Gicumbi and Gakenke Districts. The partnership focused on mobilizing vulnerable communities to participate in labor-intensive public works projects, while receiving food rations as an incentive, addressing immediate nutritional needs and promoting long-term development.

FSDS worked hand-in-hand with local authorities and community groups to identify priority projects, including construction and rehabilitation of rural roads, development of water harvesting systems, terracing for soil and erosion control, and reforestation initiatives. These interventions enhanced local infrastructure, increased agricultural productivity, and strengthened environmental sustainability within the districts.

The program directly benefited over 15,000 households, improving nutrition for children and pregnant or lactating women through regular food distributions. FSDS implemented rigorous monitoring and evaluation, using community meetings, progress reports, and post-activity assessments to track both food distribution and the quality and sustainability of completed works.

Capacity-building was integral to the program, with FSDS training community members in sustainable land management, climate-smart agriculture, and hygiene practices. This not only addressed immediate food insecurity but also empowered communities to sustain and expand the benefits of FFW projects beyond the program period.

Through this collaboration in Gicumbi and Gakenke, FSDS demonstrated strong operational capacity in implementing large-scale, multisectoral interventions, linking humanitarian assistance with community development, aligning with WFP objectives, and contributing to Rwanda’s broader goals of poverty reduction, environmental stewardship, and resilient communities.
FSDS actively engages with sectoral clusters and professional networks to enhance coordination, knowledge sharing, and program quality. Through workshops, working groups, and regular meetings, the organization exchanges best practices and innovative approaches with peer institutions, ensuring interventions reflect evidence-based standards in areas such as child protection, education, climate resilience, and youth engagement. FSDS also contributes to policy advocacy initiatives, influencing national strategies and frameworks while strengthening linkages with government agencies, civil society platforms, and technical partners. Active participation in national platforms such as HWPL, the Rwanda Civil Society Platform, FEE, REB, and REMA allows FSDS to contribute field-based lessons to regional and national development agendas.

As a non-state, non-business participant in the UN Global Compact (UNGC) since 2012, FSDS integrates the Compact’s ten principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption into governance, program design, financial management, and human resource policies. This engagement strengthens organizational ethics, accountability, and sustainability, while access to UNGC workshops, forums, and guidance tools enhances program quality and staff capacity. Membership also facilitates networking and partnership opportunities with international organizations, civil society actors, and private sector partners, enabling collaborative, multi-sector interventions in peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

Through these collaborations, FSDS has improved governance, integrated global best practices, and increased operational effectiveness, while expanding funding and partnership opportunities. Engagement in clusters, networks, and the UNGC also enhances organizational visibility and credibility among donors, UN agencies, and other stakeholders. By leveraging knowledge, partnerships, and internationally recognized standards, FSDS strengthens programmatic impact and contributes meaningfully to Rwanda’s national and regional development goals, while upholding ethical, accountable, and sustainable practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).