EMPOWERING
THE LIVES OF THE OVERLOOKED
Energy for Refugees (EfR) is a student-driven Dutch NGO, committed to addressing the issue of energy poverty in refugee camps and communities worldwide. It is active in 4 different cities in the Netherlands: Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam & Utrecht.
The
Objective
Our Objective
is to alleviate energy poverty of people seeking shelter. Energy is a fundamental right for all human beings and the goal is to provide access through sustainable technologies. We aim to reduce the dependency of refugee camps on external parties; such us the government, this way the residents can learn to be more autonomous by setting up their own systems. This will ultimately lead to the reduction of carbon emissions, and diesel generators will be a technology of the past.
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The 2026 projects
Energy for Refugees (EfR) operates in four Dutch cities — Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam, and Utrecht — with each local team independently managing a year‑long project from design to fundraising to implementation.
EfR Delft is working in La Guajira, Colombia, in partnership with BePelican, to bring renewable energy to the indigenous Wayuu community. In one of South America’s driest regions, access to water and electricity is extremely limited. By installing sustainable energy systems, the team supports the Wayuu Weaving Program, enabling artisans to work safely after sunset and strengthen their long‑term economic resilience. The project is developed in close collaboration with community leaders, BePelican, and the local food bank.
EfR Amsterdam partners with Restore Hope for Street Children, a refugee‑led initiative founded by Congolese refugee Patrick Nyongolo in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya. The organization provides food, shelter, education, and emotional support to more than 40 vulnerable children. With only one laptop and no electricity, the children face major barriers to learning and empowerment. EfR Amsterdam aims to change this by providing access to clean, reliable energy.
EfR Leiden/The Hague is implementing Beyond Blackouts in collaboration with MOSCTHA, a Dominican NGO supporting Haitian migrants, refugees, and stateless communities. The project equips a community clinic in Santo Domingo Norte with a solar PV and battery system to counter severe power outages—up to 64 hours per month—that disrupt essential healthcare services. The system will ensure continuous, safe medical care for over 40,000 patients annually, while reducing reliance on diesel generators and strengthening long‑term resilience.
EfR Utrecht is also active in Kakuma Refugee Camp, developing a solar‑energy solution to support local needs and improve access to reliable electricity in one of the world’s largest refugee settlements.
What we've done so far...
Energy for Refugees started in 2018 and has successfully completed 7 different sustainable energy projects. Every year a new team of students focuses on a project, where the provided system is adjusted to the needs of the people associated. Below, one can read the maximum collective power of the solar panels installed in each project.
Our Partners
Warm thanks to...
All the sponsors who believed in our cause and donated to make this project possible
Before you donate...
Our team is mainly comprised by students willing to volunteer their time and skills without making any profit. The costs of our projects are only covered by sponsors and grants.
Each contribution is extremely valuable.
All donations go directly to our projects. As members of Energy for Refugees, we are volunteering our time and covering our own travel costs (including flights) to ensure that every euro you give supports the installation and empowers the community. If our project aligns with your values please consider donating.