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Resilient Communities

Nature based Solutions (NbS)

Climate resilience

Food preservation

Disaster Risk Reduction

Gender & Social Inclusion

Empowered communities

Support towards KIWA Project acknowledged

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU The Regional Project Manager for Live and Learn Fiji’s KIWA Empowerment Project, Subesh Prasad, has acknowledged the support rendered towards the implementation of the KIWA Empowerment Project in Solomon Islands. The project aims to empower vulnerable communities in Malaita Island and Temotu province to thrive in a changing climate by restoring ecosystems, […]

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Official launch of the Kiwa EMPOWER Project in Vanua Levu, Fiji

The Kiwa EMPOWER regional project, implemented by Live & Learn Fiji, was officially launched in the Northern Division, Labasa, bringing together government ministries, statutory bodies, civil society networks, and 44 representatives from the project sites. Over the next 3 years, the project will support 20 rural communities in Vanua Levu (14 in Cakaudrove, 3 in Bua, 3 in Macuata), identified in collaboration with nationalauthorities […]

Read More
NGOs boost climate resilience in North

Most coastal communities in the North continue to face the impact of climate change despite numerous infrastructure projects and proposal requests to relevant authorities. Karoko village headman Iowane Brocard says that most villages now have full engagement with NGOs that have supported and provided solutions to vulnerable communities over the years through the Integrated Village […]

Read More
Village leader demands tough drug action, equal justice

Tukavesi Village headman Kusitino Vosayaco is urging Government to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of drug offences, saying current measures are too slow to deter offenders. Speaking at a Kiwa Empower Project and Live & Learn Environmental Education workshop at the Wyndham Hotel conference room in Labasa yesterday, Mr Vosayaco questioned why authorities […]

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KIWA project to benefit Vanua Levu communities

Fiji is ramping up efforts to address the gender impacts of climate change through targeted community projects aimed at restoring degraded lands and ensuring food and water security. Live and Learn Fiji, a key player in these initiatives has been allocated $4 million by the Kiwa Initiative to fund climate-resilient projects across 20 communities in […]

Read More
$7.5m Climate Resilience Project Launched

A £3 million ($F7.5million) climate resilience project targeting 24 communities across three Pacific Island nations was officially launched at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva yesterday. The Kiwa Empower project, funded through the Kiwa Initiative, will implement nature-based solutions to address pressing climate challenges in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. Live & Learn Fiji country […]

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50% of Fiji’s Infrastructure Lacks Disability Access

About 50 per cent of infrastructure and building projects in Fiji lack accessibility for persons living with disabilities, it has been revealed. This information came to light during a disability inclusion training organised by the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) and Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) for the Live and Learn Fiji staff. The training took […]

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20 communities join $7.5m climate project

Twenty communities in Vanua Levu are set to benefit from a three-year environmental resilience and climate adaptation initiative. This follows the successful launch of the national Kiwa Empower Project, valued at $7.5 million for Fiji, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands, funded by the European Union, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Most of the targeted […]

Read More
$1.62m project for the North

ABOUT 71,000 Fijians on Vanua Levu could benefit from a $1.62 million Ecosystems-based Climate Adaptation Project (ECAP). The project, a targeted three-year development intervention to build local socioeconomic resilience to climate change, would be implemented by nongovernment organisation Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji with funding from the European Union. Speaking at the project launch, […]

Read More
New portal to boost NGOs service reach to rural communities

Anew informative portal (website) launch marked a new era of online service delivery for target communities and rural settlements in the Northern Division. The launching held recently in Labasa was part of the Ecosystem-based Climate Adaptation Project (ECAP) implemented by the Live and Learn Environmental Education Fiji organisation. Under the ECAP project, 18 communities in […]

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Author: Paradise

Support towards KIWA Project acknowledged

Posted on by Paradise

BY JOHN HOUANIHAU

The Regional Project Manager for Live and Learn Fiji’s KIWA Empowerment Project, Subesh Prasad, has acknowledged the support rendered towards the implementation of the KIWA Empowerment Project in Solomon Islands.

The project aims to empower vulnerable communities in Malaita Island and Temotu province to thrive in a changing climate by restoring ecosystems, utilising indigenous knowledge, innovative practices and ensuring inclusive decision-making for a sustainable future.

Speaking during the launch of the project in Honiara on June 24 2025, Mr Prasad said collaborative approaches, local policies, traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions shall lessen the growing impact on our community while climate change is inevitable.

“Minister Trevor Mahaga, your ministry has been very instrumental during the design phase of this project. I do remember back in 2022 when we were putting together relevant documents for this project and your ministry’s support was very promising and I must acknowledge and thank on behalf of Live and Learn Network and Live and Learn Solomon Islands and Live and Learn Fiji as well,” said Mr Prasad.

“The presence of the first secretaries from the New Zealand and the Australian High Commission equals commitment and support in the Solomon Islands, the Live & Learn Solomon Island, together with Live & Learn in the Pacific. The Live & Learn Network acknowledges unwavering support in fighting the impact of climatic elements and for the sustainable development of the Pacific,” he said.

Mr Prasad further stated that under Live & Learn Fiji under the KIWA project, they look forward to working with partners and beneficiaries of the project in the next two and a half years for successful implementation.

For feedback, contact:jhouanihau24@gmail.com

Source: The Island Sun (Solomon Islands)

Date: 05/07/2025

Official launch of the Kiwa EMPOWER Project in Vanua Levu, Fiji

Posted on by Paradise

The Kiwa EMPOWER regional project, implemented by Live & Learn Fiji, was officially launched in the Northern Division, Labasa, bringing together government ministries, statutory bodies, civil society networks, and 44 representatives from the project sites.

Over the next 3 years, the project will support 20 rural communities in Vanua Levu (14 in Cakaudrove, 3 in Bua, 3 in Macuata), identified in collaboration with nationalauthorities as highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

During the launch, Northern Division Commissioner Mr. Uraia Rainima highlighted the importance of collaboration:
“The decision to work with rural communities often overlooked is a strong sign of commitment and a foundation for this project’s success.”

Live & Learn Fiji Country Manager Ms. Doris Susau emphasized that success depends on strong partnerships and collective action:
“With the support of all agencies, partners and communities, we firmly believe this project will achieve its goals.”

The launch marks the start of three years of concrete action to strengthen climate resilience in Fiji’s Northern Division through nature-based solutions.

Source: Kiwa Intiative

Date: 29/08/2025

NGOs boost climate resilience in North

Posted on by Paradise

Most coastal communities in the North continue to face the impact of climate change despite numerous infrastructure projects and proposal requests to relevant authorities.

Karoko village headman Iowane Brocard says that most villages now have full engagement with NGOs that have supported and provided solutions to vulnerable communities over the years through the Integrated Village Development plan.

However, most communities continue to face infrastructure and food security challenges, but they remain resilient and committed to nature-based solutions. “We did have our integrated village development plan in the past, but it has not been successful. Our seawall continues to be affected, so we are thankful that under the assistance from KIWA and other NGOs, we would now be able to fulfill that for our communities.”

Naivaka representative in Bua Sovaia Dakunivosa says that food sources are always at risk as people depend on the sea.

“Right now, in Naivaka more people are going fishing but less planting, so that is one area they will help us with, and we are so grateful to be selected.”

She also shares that the women and children are mostly affected when there is a natural disaster.

Both the village of Naivaka and Karoko are part of the 20 communities that will be assisted through the Kiwa EMPOWER Project for Fiji

Source: FBC News

Date: 13/08/2025

Village leader demands tough drug action, equal justice

Posted on by Paradise

Tukavesi Village headman Kusitino Vosayaco is urging Government to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on all forms of drug offences, saying current measures are too slow to deter offenders.

Speaking at a Kiwa Empower Project and Live & Learn Environmental Education workshop at the Wyndham Hotel conference room in Labasa yesterday, Mr Vosayaco questioned why authorities were “taking their time” to fix Fiji’s drug problem.

“In my village, I hear people talking about how their neighbours are planting marijuana even though the officers of Tukavesi Police Station go around conducting drug raids,” he said.
“When people get arrested, after few weeks upon release on bail they return to the village, replant and sell marijuana to make money because judgment by courthouse takes time and in some cases years.”

Mr Vosayaco said Fiji’s strong stance on gender-based violence and corporal punishment should be extended to drug-related offences.

He also voiced concern over what he claimed was unequal treatment in domestic violence cases.

“There are many men in Fiji suffering at the hands of their wives, mothers and children and yet we rarely hear about them being charged by Police,” he said.
“Law and policies should be made to address issues in the country and must be fair regardless of different gender, race and religion.”

Representatives from the Fiji Police Force responded, saying women who commit crimes have been arrested, produced in court and in some cases sentenced to imprisonment.

Source: Fiji Sun

KIWA project to benefit Vanua Levu communities

Posted on by Paradise

Fiji is ramping up efforts to address the gender impacts of climate change through targeted community projects aimed at restoring degraded lands and ensuring food and water security.

Live and Learn Fiji, a key player in these initiatives has been allocated $4 million by the Kiwa Initiative to fund climate-resilient projects across 20 communities in Vanua Levu.

Projects Manager Subash Prasad says the funding will support critical restoration efforts.


The funding will assist vulnerable rural communities adapt to the worsening effects of climate change.

“So this is like an original project. Which is going to be replicated in Tuvalu and Solomon. And including Fiji. And it’s 4.2 million Fijian dollars. For Fiji specifically. Excluding Tuvalu and Solomons. In total, it’s an original project. It’s more than 3 million euros. 3 million euros for the three countries. But Fiji has 4.2 million Fijian dollars.”

Prasad states that climate change has drastically impacted numerous communities in rural settings.

He states that they are working on restoring degraded lands and improving their water systems.

The Project manager states that they are trying to stabilizing their water system, plant more native trees conduct climate smart agriculture trainings to improve food security.

Live and Learn Fiji is focusing on integrating gender-sensitive approaches into its climate initiatives, ensuring that women and marginalized groups are at the forefront of adaptation efforts.

Source: FBC News

$7.5m Climate Resilience Project Launched

Posted on by Paradise

A £3 million ($F7.5million) climate resilience project targeting 24 communities across three Pacific Island nations was officially launched at the Tanoa Plaza Hotel in Suva yesterday.

The Kiwa Empower project, funded through the Kiwa Initiative, will implement nature-based solutions to address pressing climate challenges in Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

Live & Learn Fiji country director Doris Susau said the project would focus on food security, water management, and restoration of degraded coastal and inland areas.

“Nature-based solutions will be the approach to climate change issues that communities are facing,” Ms Susau told this masthead.

“The key climate change issues we have identified together with our government partners are to do with food security and livelihoods, water and watershed management issues, as well as degraded coastal and inland areas.”

The target communities – 20 in total – are located in the Northern Division on Vanua Levu, with 14 in Cakaudrove Province, three in Bua Province, and three in Macuata Province.

The remaining four communities include two remote atoll island communities in Tuvalu (Nanumea and Niutao) and two remote communities in Solomon Islands (Sikaiana Village in Temotu Province and Nifiloli Village in Malaita Province).

Ms Susau highlighted the inclusive approach of the project, stressing that women and young people would be actively engaged in program activities.

“We ensure that our people, our communities, they remain centre in our initiatives,” she said.

The project received funding from five donor partners through the Kiwa Initiative: the European Union, French government, Australian government, New Zealand government, and Canadian government.

Implementation is expected to begin immediately following the current regional workshop, with national stakeholder engagement in Fiji scheduled for late March and early April 2025.

Source: Fiji Sun

50% of Fiji’s Infrastructure Lacks Disability Access

Posted on by Paradise

About 50 per cent of infrastructure and building projects in Fiji lack accessibility for persons living with disabilities, it has been revealed.

This information came to light during a disability inclusion training organised by the Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) and Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP) for the Live and Learn Fiji staff.

The training took place at the Friendly North Inn in Labasa yesterday.

Live and Learn Fiji’s gender and resilience officer, Joseva Ravula, said to address this growing concern, there was a plan in place to conduct a disability access audit.

“We are working with the FDPF on how to facilitate the audit and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to create accessible environments for persons living with disabilities,” Mr Ravula said.

He added that following the training, they would be in a better position to begin working on the audit.

Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation (FDPF) representative, Jay Nasilasila, said the access audit was a process, and an assessment would be conducted on physical infrastructure and the environment.

“We hope that all institutions and service providers will also ensure accessibility for persons living with disabilities,” Mr Nasilasila said.

“We identified the need for this audit during a workshop in Suva, as we have observed that public spaces in Fiji still require some adjustments.”

He said the access audit is not about removing infrastructure or projects, but rather about finding ways to adjust or modify them to allow access for persons living with disabilities.

Source: Fiji Sun

20 communities join $7.5m climate project

Posted on by Paradise

Twenty communities in Vanua Levu are set to benefit from a three-year environmental resilience and climate adaptation initiative.

This follows the successful launch of the national Kiwa Empower Project, valued at $7.5 million for Fiji, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands, funded by the European Union, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Most of the targeted communities are coastal and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Under the project, they will undergo training and implement nature-based solutions to strengthen climate resilience.

Regional Project Manager Subesh Prasad says this marks a significant milestone in addressing the needs and ongoing challenges faced by affected communities.

“We acknowledge the support of the commissioner’s north office. Their support has been very instrumental to this Kiwa Empower project, not only on this but also on all the other Live & Learn projects that have been implemented in the Northern division.”

Country Director for Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji, Dorris Susau, commended the resilience and commitment of communities where the project will be implemented.

“When we design and implement it, it is aligned with national priorities, and more importantly, it addresses the need of the community in the manner that is relevant and appropriate to you, so it’s not about us; it’s all about you.”

She highlighted that partnership and collaboration remain central to the Kiwa Empower Project, with a commitment to continue supporting rural and remote communities in the North.

The project will focus on key areas including conservation, disaster risk reduction, food security, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, water resource management, and human health.

The twenty participating communities are Naivaka, Naiviqiri, Nasau, Ravuka, Cawadevo, Visoqo, and 14 others across Cakaudrove.

Source: FBC News

$1.62m project for the North

Posted on by Paradise

ABOUT 71,000 Fijians on Vanua Levu could benefit from a $1.62 million Ecosystems-based Climate Adaptation Project (ECAP).

The project, a targeted three-year development intervention to build local socioeconomic resilience to climate change, would be implemented by nongovernment organisation Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji with funding from the European Union.

Speaking at the project launch, EU ambassador for the Pacific Sujiro Seam said building climate resilience in the Northern Division with ECAP would provide local communities with a welcome source of income in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

“It is fully in line with the European Green Deal, which remains the top priority of the European Union,” he said.

Mr Seam also said the project was consistent with the EU approach which was to build strong partnerships between governmental authorities, civil society organisations and local communities.

Source: Fiji Times

New portal to boost NGOs service reach to rural communities

Posted on by Paradise
Non-Government organisation, Live and Learn Environmental Education Fiji, country manager, Doris Susau (left), and Ecosystems-based Climate Adaptation Project (ECAP) (right), Subesh Prasad shows Divisional Planning Officer, Setareki Dakuiboca (middle) the new portal and its operation during its launch in Labasa on September 8, 2022.

Anew informative portal (website) launch marked a new era of online service delivery for target communities and rural settlements in the Northern Division. The launching held recently in Labasa was part of the Ecosystem-based Climate Adaptation Project (ECAP) implemented by the Live and Learn Environmental Education Fiji organisation.

Under the ECAP project, 18 communities in the North are part of ECAP-related projects where sustainable community livelihood projects like beekeeping, agriculture and others are supported. The programme is funded by the European Union. Organisation president, Doris Susau, said the launching fulfilled the project objective to build local socioeconomic resilience to climate change in vulnerable communities in the Northern parts of Fiji.

Ms Susau said the portal was developed to establish tools visible to the climate change sector, Government and communities. She said it would connect and closely share the learnings and knowledge resources from the project with their active communities and interested stakeholders. “Structured exchanges will be used to share learning within and between communities and this will be via sharing links on the social media, widely used by our communities,” she said.

Chief guest, Divisional Planning Officer, Setareki Dakuiboca, shared his gratitude to the organisation as it positively impacted the livelihood of its target communities.