Locations3C’s Approach – Connecting, Creating and Collaboration Access Value Added Market Opportunities for Rural Communities
November 27, 2024
Participants from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Fiji attended the workshop to discuss Value-Added Market Opportunities.
Nadi, Fiji – The Markets for Change (M4C) Project recently hosted a three-day workshop aimed at connecting, creating, and collaborating with potential partners and stakeholders to drive impactful and transformative change at the local community level.
The M4C Project, a collaborative initiative by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is dedicated to enhancing the economic opportunities and social wellbeing of market vendors, particularly women, in the Pacific region. The project places a strong emphasis on creating safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory market environments, while actively promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
The workshop brought together stakeholders from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Fiji to discuss Value-Added Market Opportunities. The primary objective was to drive women's economic empowerment by reviewing and packaging key learnings from the project and developing a strategic path forward.
Speaking at the workshop, UNDP Inclusive Growth Analyst, Patrick Tuimalealiifano said, “It is important to continue to connect with communities, and stakeholders, to create new opportunities and pathways for the communities to take ownership of their issues, and solutions for a sustainable community. Today’s workshop re-emphasizes the importance of collaboration, and the need to continue to work together with partners, stakeholders and donors to make transformative change at the community level.”
One of the significant focal points of the discussions was the formation of women and youth-led cooperatives to address transportation and distribution challenges often faced by women in the informal sector. The workshop also explored public-private partnerships for long-term logistical support and sustainability, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and the creation of educational materials to ensure lasting impact.
Mr Iosefo Koroidimuri, Fiji Director Registrar Cooperatives.
Director Registrar Cooperatives, Mr Iosefo Koroidimuri, expressed, “Today, I want to emphasize the critical role that women and youth play in driving sustainable development and economic growth. Women and young people are the backbone of our society. They bring creativity, innovation, and energy that are essential for building a resilient and thriving economy.
However, we must acknowledge the challenges they face, particularly in the Pacific region. Limited employment opportunities, gender disparities, and societal barriers often hinder their full potential. It is our duty to address these obstacles and create an environment where every individual can contribute meaningfully to our nation's development. In Fiji, the Department of Cooperative has progressed, through the cooperative initiatives,” he added.
During the workshop, stakeholders deliberated on the following key areas:
- Development of Products within Value Addition:
- Discussed the current value-added market space, local and export opportunities, and explored new markets and products within the tourism sector. - Value Addition Value Chain:
- Addressed gaps in processing, packaging, and marketing to enhance the value of agricultural produce. - Infrastructure Development:
- Discussed the infrastructural needs required to support effective value chains, such as storage, transportation, and market access. - Climate-Smart Agriculture:
- Explored how creating market linkages can promote practices that increase climate resilience and reviewed current climate-smart agriculture (CSA) initiatives. - Digital Economy:
- Examined ways to incorporate the digital economy into business services, marketing, and logistic coordination.
The gaps and lessons learnt from stakeholders mapped the following areas for expansion to ensuring that the communities are supported to access the right markets:
• Promoting Market Linkages: Encourage the adoption of climate-smart practices.
• Enhanced Product Diversification: Develop and add value to products in the fruits, vegetables, and root crops sectors.
• Established Market Linkages: Develop connections within the tourism sector to look at alternative income generation for communities
• Improved Infrastructure: Support efficient value chains through enhanced infrastructure.
• Increased Participation: Creating a greater involvement of women and youth in agriculture as driving agents of community development.
Stakeholders also shared their best practices during the three days workshop with a focus on value addition opportunities for the communities.
Principal Fisheries Officer- Aquaculture, Mr Shalendra Singh says, “The Ministry of Fisheries aims to assist women fishers in preserving and selling seafood at fair prices. This includes tackling challenges related to storage, pricing, and middlemen involvement, which often leads to undervaluing seafood products and works closely with women and men fishers.”
Chief Dietician/Nutrition Unit - Ministry of Health, Ms Ateca Kama, also added that, "Food and Nutrition Security is important and we believe the importance of Eat First, then Sell the Surplus."
The M4C Project provided a platform for the stakeholders to share their ideas, learnings, and gaps and map a way forward to share the economic empowerment program for M4C Project, that focuses on sustainable growth for community development approaches. The Project will continue to pave the way for significant improvements in market environments across the Pacific region, driving forward the economic empowerment of women and creating a sustainable development.
The Project also contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the M4C project directly contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The project ensurees equality and economic empowerment for all, including men, women, youth, people with disabilities, and marginalized minority groups.
The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and with support from the Government of Australia.
For more information, please contact:
Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | vilisi.veibataki@undp.org | +679 3227701
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