Call for Expression of Interest: Lot 11 – Clean Energy Interventions in Tanzania
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched a Call for Expression of Interest under Lot 11 – Energy Interventions, focusing on expanding access to clean and sustainable energy in refugee settings.
In the Kigoma Region of Tanzania, a key initiative is underway to promote clean energy adoption among refugees, asylum seekers, and host community members. Spearheaded under Outcome Area 8: Wellbeing, this effort focuses on increasing access to sustainable energy solutions, particularly clean cooking methods, with the goal of reducing environmental degradation and improving the quality of life in refugee settings by 2030.
A major focus of the initiative is the shift from traditional firewood-based cooking to alternative and cleaner energy sources. Refugees and host communities will be supported in accessing sustainable cooking fuels such as biomass charcoal briquettes. These briquettes will be produced through both centralized and community-based systems, encouraging local ownership, job creation, and environmental conservation.
Alongside alternative fuel promotion, the program also aims to expand the use of energy-saving technologies. Fuel-efficient stoves and improved cooking devices will be introduced and distributed, with beneficiaries receiving hands-on training in their use and maintenance. Awareness campaigns will also be implemented to highlight the health, economic, and environmental benefits of switching to clean cooking practices.
Another important component of the initiative is the maintenance and expansion of solar energy infrastructure. The project will oversee the upkeep of 14 existing off-grid solar facilities within the camps and surrounding host communities. Additionally, new solar-powered solutions—such as pressure cookers and other clean cooking technologies—will be designed, implemented, and closely monitored based on evolving needs.
Annual assessments will track the adoption of these clean energy solutions, ensuring that both refugees and host communities are effectively transitioning to more sustainable practices. These evaluations will inform future programming and help refine strategies to increase the reach and impact of the interventions.
Overall, this program represents a significant step toward environmental sustainability and energy equity in displacement settings. By promoting clean cooking technologies and reliable solar energy access, it aims to reduce dependence on traditional biomass, protect local ecosystems, and support the well-being of vulnerable communities.
