Suva, Fiji – The UN Development Programme (UNDP) launched a Small Grants Initiative to fund resilient community projects in seven Pacific Island countries on Friday 20 August 2021.

The Initiative, developed by the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji through the Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific (Gov4Res) Project, will finance a range of development projects which will enhance community resilience in the areas of agriculture, water, public health, energy and infrastructure.

The need for a fundamental shift in the way community development is undertaken to ensure it withstands future climate change and disasters, was highlighted during the virtual launch.

“We see this Initiative as a great opportunity to ensure that communities are well informed and aware of the underlying threats posed by climate change and disasters. Risk-informing development will ensure maximum benefit to the communities,” said the Manager Decentralisation for the Ministry of Internal Affairs – Department of Local Authority in Vanuatu, Mr. Ben Tabi.

“All investments need to be more risk-informed and future proofed to consider the impact of climate change, disasters and the long-term impact of COVID-19 pandemic,” said Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management in Fiji, Mr. David Kolitagane.

In acknowledging this timely assistance, Permanent Secretary Kolitagane conveyed the Fijian Government’s appreciation for the Initiative. “On behalf of the Fijian Government, we provide our full support to this tremendous Initiative in implementing resilient community projects. First and foremost, we would like to acknowledge the governments of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Sweden for supporting this important Initiative”.

The Gov4Res Small Grants Initiative was developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Pacific. The Initiative will provide technical support and grants of up to US$30,000 to Pacific based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

Speaking during the launch, Korea's Ambassador to Fiji, His Excellency, Mr. Young-kyu Park said, “we look forward to seeing the project impacts felt on the ground, with benefits reaching communities and people in the Pacific. We would like to sincerely thank the participating governments of the Pacific, UNDP, and stakeholders who contributed to supporting and shaping this timely and significant Initiative”.

The Australian High Commissioner to Fiji, H.E. Mr. John Feakes added, “Australia remains a steadfast partner in supporting the Pacific to build resilience to climate change and disasters, and is pleased to support this Initiative.  Actions and ideas at the local level play a critical role in the creation of more resilient and sustainable communities”.

Ms. Adele Plummer, Climate Change and Environment Unit Manager for the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, recognised the significant contribution of the new grants scheme in boosting the Pacific’s resilience to climate change.

“These grants provide an important opportunity for communities to work together with local governments on risk-informed development projects” said Ms. Plummer.

The Initiative is open to Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. NGOs, CSOs and CBOs involved in community development are encouraged to apply before Thursday 16 September 2021. Full details can be found in the application page of the UNDP Pacific Office website at www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/gov4res-small-grants . Any grant-related inquires and/or inquiries relating to the project should be directed to grants.gov4res@undp.org

Background of the Initiative

The Gov4Res Small Grants Initiative was developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) Pacific with funding support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). The Initiative will provide technical support and grants of up to USD30,000 to Pacific based Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).

For media-related inquiries, please contact:

Hyejin Seo, Project Coordinator, KOICA Fiji Office, Email: hyejin.s@koica.go.kr

Natasha Verma, Program Manager Climate Change & Resilience, Australian High Commission, Fiji, Email: natasha.verma@dfat.gov.au  

Sarah MacCana, Programme Consultant, Climate Change and Environment Unit, MFAT, Email: Sarah.MacCana@mfat.govt.nz

Summer Lee, Partnership, Donor Liaison and Communications Specialist, Gov4Res Project, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Email: summer.lee@undp.org