On 5 June 2026, communities in Uvira, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), came together to mark World Environment Day and Tree Day with practical action for a cleaner and greener city.
The activities were organised by SOLIFEDE-RDC, in collaboration with local authorities, schools, health facilities and community members. Under the theme “I plant a tree and clean up now for the climate,” the initiative brought people together around a simple message: protecting the environment starts with everyday actions.
Across Uvira, participants planted trees in public and community spaces, cleaned public markets and schools, and supported sanitation activities in hospitals, maternity wards and health centres. Community members also collected and sorted biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste, while others helped clean the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
The campaign also created space for awareness-raising on responsible waste management, environmental education and the role of young people in building a zero-waste generation.
For SOLIFEDE-RDC, the day was not only about cleaning public spaces. It was also about encouraging communities to see environmental care as part of daily life. Every tree planted contributes to restoring local ecosystems. Every piece of waste collected helps protect public health and improves the places where people live, learn and receive care.
The initiative also connected environmental action with financial education. By promoting financial education for a green and sustainable economy, SOLIFEDE-RDC highlighted how communities can make choices that protect both their livelihoods and the environment.
This link between social, financial and environmental education is important. When young people learn how to care for their surroundings, manage resources responsibly and think about the future, they are better prepared to contribute to stronger and more resilient communities.
The activities in Uvira showed what local action can look like when schools, health facilities, public services, civil society and communities work together. It was a reminder that climate action is not only shaped in large meetings or policy spaces. It also happens when people clean a market, protect a lake, plant a tree or teach young people to value their environment.
As SOLIFEDE-RDC shared during the campaign: “I plant a tree and clean up now for the climate.”
Together, these actions contribute to a shared vision: making Uvira a greener, cleaner and more sustainable city for present and future generations.
