Three Fijian organisations were able to assist thousands of Fijians sustainably navigate the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through funding provided by USAID. The three were the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprise and Development (FRIEND), University of Fiji, and Live and Learn Environment Education Fiji. FRIEND project manager Melaia Salacakau said with the funding, […]
Today, children from 10 schools in Fiji joined others around the world to celebrate World Water Day by taking part in an oratory contest organized by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services and UNICEF to advocate on the importance of groundwater. “Imagine when the top surface of the ground drops so far that the well is […]
Fiji’s northern communities assured of NZ’s commitment to climate resilient program
New Zealand’s second secretary Constance Minett has assured northern communities of their government’s commitment to the newly-launched Climate Resilient Islands Program. The program, launched in Labasa this morning, will be spearheaded by the Live and Learn team targeting six villages on Vanua Levu – Dreketi, Naiqaqi, Valeni in Cakaudrove, Vitina, Naibulu and Nawailevu in the […]
NZ to provide further support to CSOs to assist affected families in Fiji
The New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr has announced that they will continue to support civil society organizations to assist vulnerable families in Fiji during the COVID-19 outbreak. This follows the announcement by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta in June that they will provide up to $7 million to […]
A small highland community at forefront of conservation efforts in Fiji
As the world continues to grapple with climate change, the community of Drawa in the highlands of Cakaudrove province, Vanua Levu, is setting an example for sustainable development. After 10 years of successful forest conservation and carbon trading, Drawa is now experiencing the tangible benefits of their innovative approach. From economic growth to environmental preservation, […]
With the vision, Sustainable Forests, our Future, the Ministry of Forestry is grateful to its stakeholders, corporate organisations, individuals and communities for their collective efforts in championing this objective. This week, we highlight the sustainable and conservation efforts of Drawa Village through the Drawa Forest Conservation Project and the Drawa Block. The Drawa Block is […]
78 families residing in Newtown Hart receive assistance from Live and Learn Fiji
78 families living at the Newtown Hart in Suva have received assistance packages from the Live and Learn Fiji organisation. The assistance is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Each family received food ration packs, hygiene and washing kits. One of the recipients was 67-year-old Sera Mataika Ratu and her […]
UN CERF Supports IOM Response to Tropical Cyclone Harold Devastation in Fiji
Date: 13 November 2020 Tropical Cyclone Harold caused extensive destruction after making landfall as a category 4 storm in the Republic of Fiji on 8 April 2020. Since then, International Organization for Migration’s partnership with the Fijian NGO Live and Learn has supported the ongoing rebuilding efforts by responding to the shelter needs of some […]
Report: MoneyMinded program significantly strengthened financial knowledge
AN independent impact evaluation report of MoneyMinded, ANZ’s financial inclusion program, has found the program significantly strengthened participants’ financial knowledge, skills and capabilities. According to the findings of the study, 96 per cent of the respondents reported the MoneyMinded program had improved their financial wellbeing – meaning their ability to meet financial commitments, feel financially […]
Three Fijian organisations were able to assist thousands of Fijians sustainably navigate the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic through funding provided by USAID.
The three were the Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprise and Development (FRIEND), University of Fiji, and Live and Learn Environment Education Fiji.
USAID grant receiptants Melaia Salacakau Project Manager FRIEND , LIVE AND LEARN Fiji Project Manager Kolosa Matebalavu, Women’s, Children and Poverty Alleviation Minister Lynda Tabuya and University of Fiji Lecturer Priyatma Singh at the USAID Pacific American Grant Award Spotlight Event on Tuesday at the Grand Pacific Hotel. Photo: Fiji Government
FRIEND project manager Melaia Salacakau said with the funding, they were able to increase skills for 2300 Fijians through seven livelihood training programs.
“So the different livelihood schemes training (and) intervention that we put together was soap-making training, oil efficient training, food processing activity, food production, compliance training, seafood processing training and sea salt training,” she said.
She said they targeted areas such as Sigatoka, Nadi, Lautoka and the Yasawa Group as they were heavily reliant on the tourism industry.
Ms Salacakau said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the livelihood training greatly assisted people in terms of earning an income and eventually supporting themselves.
“Some of them have been have been selling overseas to family and friends as well as in their community.
“As for the sustainability of the project, FRIEND is putting together an e-commerce platform where all the beneficiaries will be able to sell and market their products globally.”
The University of Fiji, the only grant recipient outside of the NGO and CSO space, worked with two communities in reviving their aquaculture farms for tilapia farming.
Lecturer Priyatma Singh said they noted that during the peak of the pandemic, food security became a concern. They had a non-functioning pond which the university decided to revive through the American Pacific Grant.
“So it’s not just this training centrally, of course, we helped them to upgrade their skills but they also with resources and some very important equipment that was needed for them to sustain the pond,” Singh said.
“So we provided them with the training in a pond preparation activities. We also provided training with the feeding, with harvesting, financial literacy, provided them with the trainings marketing as well.
“One of the other things we have done is incorporated the outcomes of the project into our Environmental Science course at the university.”
Live and Learn Environment Education Fiji project manager Kolosa Matebalavu said they received the grant under the disaster risk management area.
He said through their community programs they realised that the one-size-fits-all approach did not work as it never addressed the needs of everyone in the community.
“When we’re talking about communities that have different groups of people that live in our communities, they have different needs, they have different capacities, they have different strengths and most of the time when we take a one-size-fits-all approach, that’s how people get mixed up, don’t respond to their needs,” he said.
The USAID grants have a duration of 12 to 20 months and are divided into two categories; the small NGOs and CSOs eligible for a funding of up to $US150,000 ($F327,000), while the more experienced NGOs are eligible for a grant ranging from $US300,000 ($F654,000) to $1 million ($F2.18m).
The grant started in August 2020 as USAID assisted Pacific Island countries in their fight against the impacts of Covid-19.
USAID, through various means, has provided Fiji with up to $122 million worth of assistance to combat the negative impacts of the pandemic.
Eight mataqali (clans) of Drawa in Vanua Levu are now reaping the benefits of the commitment they made ten years ago on forest conservation.
The mataqali formed the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative and started the carbon trading project in partnership with Nakau and Live and Learn Fiji.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) senior project officer with Live and Learn Fiji, Beato Dulunaqio said the Drawa project was the first carbon trading business in Fiji.
Today, children from 10 schools in Fiji joined others around the world to celebrate World Water Day by taking part in an oratory contest organized by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services and UNICEF to advocate on the importance of groundwater.
“Imagine when the top surface of the ground drops so far that the well is not deep enough to reach it or pump up water, leaving the well dry. Devastating, isn’t it? We need to protect our ground water as it is a scarce resource and living things depend on it,” said Selai Daunakamakama, 14, from Nausori Primary School who was also a participant of the oratory contest. “I am grateful to be given the opportunity to be able to raise my voice today and speak on the importance of this very valuable resource.”
Groundwater supplies a large proportion of the water we use for drinking, sanitation, food production and industrial processes. It is also critically important to the healthy functioning of ecosystems, such as wetlands and rivers. Overexploitation of groundwater can lead to land instability and subsidence, and, in coastal regions, to sea water intrusion under the land.
“Water is one of the most important and vital resources on earth. All life forms on earth require water to survive. If there will be no water, there would be no life on earth. Water is everything and without water there is no life,” said the Minister for Infrastructure, Meteorological Services, Lands and Mineral Resources, Hon. Jone Usamate. “Having access to safe and clean drinking water is a constitutional right under Fiji’s 2013 Constitution. It is also an ambitious target under Fiji’s National Development Plan which aims for 100 per cent access to clean and safe water to be realized by 2021 for urban areas and by 2031 for rural areas.”
Hon. Minister Usamate added that to achieve this, the Fijian Government has allocated funds through its implementing agencies namely, the Water Authority of Fiji and Mineral Resources Department for rural and urban water projects. While there is a focus on accessing water through surface water sources, groundwater is also explored in areas where surface water easily dries up particularly during dry spell. This is common in most of Fiji’s maritime communities, communities along the coast and some inland.
Students from primary and secondary levels took part in the oratory contest, including Nausori District School, Nausori Primary School, Vuci Methodist School, Vunimono Arya School, Vunimono Sanatan Dharam Primary School, Vunimono High School, Sila Central High School, Lelean Memorial School, Dilkusha Methodist High School and Pt Shreedhar Maharaj College. The students advocated to key stakeholders about how good groundwater management is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals to protect, conserve and restore water-related ecosystems.
“Protecting our groundwater is critical for surviving and adapting to climate change as well as meeting the needs of a growing population,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative, Jonathan Veitch. “We thank the Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services, and other partners, in supporting UNICEF to provide a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of children on this critically important topic.”
This event is supported by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Ministry for Lands and Mineral Resources, Water Authority of Fiji, Save the Children, Live and Learn, Pleass Global Limited, Rotary Pacific Water, Habitat for Humanity Fiji and Partners in Community Development Fiji.
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services also acknowledges the valuable support from various donor and key stakeholders for improvements of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Fiji including the Government of United Kingdom, Government of Australia, Government of New Zealand, Government of the Republic of Korea, Government of Japan and the European Union as well as United Nations agencies including WHO and UNESCO.
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About Groundwater:
Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers. Groundwater is a source of recharge for lakes, rivers and wetlands. An aquifer is a geological formation or part of it, consisting of permeable material capable to store/yield significant quantities of water. Groundwater is a very important natural resource and has a significant role in the economy. It is the main source of water for irrigation and food industry.
For the environment, groundwater plays a very important role in keeping the water level and flow into rivers, lakes and wetlands especially during the drier months when there is little direct recharge from rainfall. This is also essential for the wildlife and plants living in this environment.
About the Fijian Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services:
The Ministry is responsible for policy formulation, planning, design, regulatory, coordination and implementation of programs, projects and services relating to infrastructural works, utilities (water and electricity), meteorology and hydrology. Similarly, responsible for policy and legislative oversight of the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), the Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) and Energy Fiji Limited (EFL). The Ministry develops infrastructure that moves people, the economy, and the nation forward. It provides services for the protection of life and property with environmental integrity.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Mohammed Nistar Khan, Ministry of Infrastructure and Meteorological Services, mohammed.khan@govnet.gov.fj
New Zealand’s second secretary Constance Minett has assured northern communities of their government’s commitment to the newly-launched Climate Resilient Islands Program.
The program, launched in Labasa this morning, will be spearheaded by the Live and Learn team targeting six villages on Vanua Levu – Dreketi, Naiqaqi, Valeni in Cakaudrove, Vitina, Naibulu and Nawailevu in the two provinces of Macuata and Bua.
Ms Minett said climate change issues had been discussed many times in the Pacific and such commitment from her government proved they were serious about helping locals.
Live and Learn executive Christian Nielsen thanked the communities for working with his team.
The New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji Jonathan Curr has announced that they will continue to support civil society organizations to assist vulnerable families in Fiji during the COVID-19 outbreak.
This follows the announcement by the New Zealand Minister for Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta in June that they will provide up to $7 million to local CSOs.
The six civil society organisations are Empower Pacific, Frank Hilton Organisation, FRIEND Fiji, Live and Learn Fiji, Pacific Disability Forum and the Sai Prema Foundation.
Curr says they will be scaling up assistance in communities through the provision of food rations, psycho-social support, personal protective equipment, improvement of nutrition, health, hygiene and sanitation, improved food security, medical support, capacity building and sustainable livelihoods.
He says the target beneficiaries include children, female-headed families and people with disabilities who stand to be most affected by the social, economic and health impacts of the pandemic.
Curr says they have worked with CSOs to support social inclusion and provide tangible assistance to the many households impacted by COVID-19 and they are delighted to extend the partnership.
He adds these organisations have strong networks at a grassroots level and their community-driven approach has helped them identify and respond to needs effectively.
Curr says the CSO partners will be supporting families Fiji-wide however there will be a strong focus on delivering assistance to affected communities in the Central and Western Divisions.
As the world continues to grapple with climate change, the community of Drawa in the highlands of Cakaudrove province, Vanua Levu, is setting an example for sustainable development. After 10 years of successful forest conservation and carbon trading, Drawa is now experiencing the tangible benefits of their innovative approach.
From economic growth to environmental preservation, their efforts are yielding impressive results. According to the Ministry of Forestry, this pioneering move has led Fiji to be one of the 15 countries in joining the carbon trade program by signing an emissions reduction payment agreement, making it the sole Small Island Developing State in the Pacific to do so.
Diving deep into the story of Drawa’s triumph and uncovering the secrets to their thriving community, the community was confronted with a tough decision.
Their old-growth 4,120 hectares of forest, which had sustained them for generations was being targeted for logging. Similar to numerous indigenous communities throughout the Pacific region, the customary landowners of Drawa found themselves in a predicament where they had to balance the preservation of their forests with the need to generate income for survival.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) senior project officer with Live & Learn Fiji, Beato Dulunaqio said the logging coupes had already been mapped out and community members were starting to clear the forest for timber.
“But just as they were faced with the prospect of losing their forest forever, the eight mataqali, or clans, of Drawa were presented with an opportunity to save it,” he said.
“The Drawa community stood at the forefront of environmental preservation by embracing the Nakau methodology.”
Recognising the significance of their forest, the Mataqali established the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative and pioneered the use of “payment for ecosystem services” (PES) to safeguard it. Mr Dulunaqio said their efforts were bolstered by the support of Nakau and Live & Learn Fiji, with whom they formed a strong partnership to launch a pioneering carbon trading initiative.
“The community’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation serves as an inspiration to many others, and their success stands as a testament to the power of collective action.”
Project Success
The ownership of the project and forests lies with the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative, which comprises more than 400 native Fijian landowners from three villages.
Every year, this initiative produces more than 18,000 carbon credits. The Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative also serves as a habitat for various endangered species such as the Barred tree skink (Emoia trossula), the Vanua Levu slender tree skink (Emoia mokosariniveikau), and the remarkable Fiji ground frog (Cornufer vitiana).
The Drawa rainforests, situated on the Wailevu-Deketi Highlands, provide sanctuary to a diverse range of flora, including 385 plant species, of which 47 per cent are exclusive to Fiji.
The area supports 22 native bird species, making it an officially recognised important bird area in Fiji. Mr Dulunaqio said the success of this project allowed Live & Learn Fiji to replicate the model for Fiji’s ecosystems adaptation-based project.
“This Conservation Project, also known as REDD+, is also the first ever carbon trading business in Fiji,” he said.
“This has informed the National REDD+ Unit within the Ministry of Forestry, which aims to educate eligible communities to preserve their forest and natural resources and incentivise them to sell their carbon credits.”
Mr Dulunaqio said the success of this project showed that Fijian communities could be leaders in forest conservation that also provided economic, social and climate resilience benefits.
“After winning the Energy Globe Award in 2020, Drawa has not only been recognised in Fiji and the Pacific but globally. They have taken the first step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 in taking action to combat climate change and its impacts,” he said.
Robbie Henderson, Nakau’s chief executive officer, said the Drawa project proved eco-friendly community development was achievable.
“It maintains the community’s reliance on nature without posing a threat to its resources,” he said.
Carbon credits income and development
Carbon credits has fuelled the community progress in investing in a sustainable future. A decade has passed and the community now derives a substantial income from forest carbon credits, while the forest remains intact.
The community has ventured into the rainforest honey business, which serves as an alternative source of livelihood and promotes nature-positive community development.
Drawa Project business manager Waita Curuvale said the honey business, which involved harvesting and selling honey at local markets, empowered women to take ownership of their economic development.
“We ensure that the income from credit sales is properly shared as many things are done by women. They really appreciate the benefits coming from the project,” she said.
“Observing our forest in the Drawa block and understanding the methods of preserving and safeguarding it, while also allowing our people to reap economic benefits, has transformed our perspective on the significance of forest conservation.”
Echoing the sentiments of the women from Lutukina Village, Ms Curuvale said the combined benefits of the project significantly transformed their mindset towards economic opportunities.
“One of the major advantages they observed is the ability to upgrade their toilet facilities,” Ms Curuvale said.
“In the past, several families lacked proper sanitation, but with the revenue generated from carbon sales, women in the community are gradually constructing flush toilets to improve their families’ living conditions.
“This development has greatly benefited the community, and the women are proud to have played a role in it.”
Apart from the upgraded toilets, women and families in Lutukina have enjoyed other advantages. These include access to bank accounts, scholarships for school fees and educational equipment for students, and the creation of useful networks where women have a stronger voice in local governance and cooperation with non-governmental organisations operating in the region. The honey business and forest carbon have had a positive impact on the lives of the people in Lutukina.
Nakau has also ensured, as outlined in their methodology, that women have equal access to the income generated by the carbon project and have a say in how it is reinvested.
Resilient rainforests: Lifeline in extreme weather
When Cyclone Yasa struck Drawa in December 2020, the villages, infrastructure, and food sources in the area were severely impacted, just like much of Fiji.
However, the intact and healthy rainforest was able to provide support to the community. According to Peni Maisiri, chairman of the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative, the cyclone had a significant impact on the villages, particularly the Drawa block.
“The community relied heavily on the fishing grounds in the forest, which remained intact despite the cyclone,” he said.
He emphasised that leaving the forest intact could bring many benefits to the community.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) senior project officer with Live & Learn Fiji, Beato Dulunaqio said the logging coupes had already been mapped out and community members were starting to clear the forest for timber.
“But just as they were faced with the prospect of losing their forest forever, the eight mataqali, or clans, of Drawa were presented with an opportunity to save it,” he said.
“The Drawa community stood at the forefront of environmental preservation by embracing the Nakau methodology.”
Recognising the significance of their forest, the Mataqali established the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative and pioneered the use of “payment for ecosystem services” (PES) to safeguard it.
Mr Dulunaqio said their efforts were bolstered by the support of Nakau and Live & Learn Fiji, with whom they formed a strong partnership to launch a pioneering carbon trading initiative.
“The community’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation serves as an inspiration to many others, and their success stands as a testament to the power of collective action.”
Project Success
The ownership of the project and forests lies with the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative, which comprises more than 400 native Fijian landowners from three villages.
Every year, this initiative produces more than 18,000 carbon credits. The Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative also serves as a habitat for various endangered species such as the Barred tree skink (Emoia trossula), the Vanua Levu slender tree skink (Emoia mokosariniveikau), and the remarkable Fiji ground frog (Cornufer vitiana).
The Drawa rainforests, situated on the Wailevu-Deketi Highlands, provide sanctuary to a diverse range of flora, including 385 plant species, of which 47 per cent are exclusive to Fiji.
The area supports 22 native bird species, making it an officially recognised important bird area in Fiji. Mr Dulunaqio said the success of this project allowed Live & Learn Fiji to replicate the model for Fiji’s ecosystems adaptation-based project.
“This Conservation Project, also known as REDD+, is also the first ever carbon trading business in Fiji,” he said.
“This has informed the National REDD+ Unit within the Ministry of Forestry, which aims to educate eligible communities to preserve their forest and natural resources and incentivise them to sell their carbon credits.”
Mr Dulunaqio said the success of this project showed that Fijian communities could be leaders in forest conservation that also provided economic, social and climate resilience benefits.
“After winning the Energy Globe Award in 2020, Drawa has not only been recognised in Fiji and the Pacific but globally.
“They have taken the first step towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 in taking action to combat climate change and its impacts,” he said.
Robbie Henderson, Nakau’s chief executive officer, said the Drawa project proved eco-friendly community development was achievable.
“It maintains the community’s reliance on nature without posing a threat to its resources,” he said.
Carbon credits income and development
Carbon credits has fuelled the community progress in investing in a sustainable future. A decade has passed and the community now derives a substantial income from forest carbon credits, while the forest remains intact.
The community has ventured into the rainforest honey business, which serves as an alternative source of livelihood and promotes nature-positive community development.
Drawa Project business manager Waita Curuvale said the honey business, which involved harvesting and selling honey at local markets, empowered women to take ownership of their economic development.
“We ensure that the income from credit sales is properly shared as many things are done by women. They really appreciate the benefits coming from the project,” she said.
“Observing our forest in the Drawa block and understanding the methods of preserving and safeguarding it, while also allowing our people to reap economic benefits, has transformed our perspective on the significance of forest conservation.”
Echoing the sentiments of the women from Lutukina Village, Ms Curuvale said the combined benefits of the project significantly transformed their mindset towards economic opportunities.
“One of the major advantages they observed is the ability to upgrade their toilet facilities,” Ms Curuvale said.
“In the past, several families lacked proper sanitation, but with the revenue generated from carbon sales, women in the community are gradually constructing flush toilets to improve their families’ living conditions.
“This development has greatly benefited the community, and the women are proud to have played a role in it.”
Apart from the upgraded toilets, women and families in Lutukina have enjoyed other advantages. These include access to bank accounts, scholarships for school fees and educational equipment for students, and the creation of useful networks where women have a stronger voice in local governance and cooperation with non-governmental organisations operating in the region. The honey business and forest carbon have had a positive impact on the lives of the people in Lutukina.
Nakau has also ensured, as outlined in their methodology, that women have equal access to the income generated by the carbon project and have a say in how it is reinvested.
Resilient rainforests: Lifeline in extreme weather
When Cyclone Yasa struck Drawa in December 2020, the villages, infrastructure, and food sources in the area were severely impacted, just like much of Fiji.
However, the intact and healthy rainforest was able to provide support to the community. According to Peni Maisiri, chairman of the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative, the cyclone had a significant impact on the villages, particularly the Drawa block.
“The community relied heavily on the fishing grounds in the forest, which remained intact despite the cyclone,” he said.
He emphasised that leaving the forest intact could bring many benefits to the community.
Jerry Lotawa, the lead ranger with the Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative, explained that the forest provided the village with food, including prawns, eels, fish, seeds, and fruit, as well as clean drinking water.
He also highlighted the importance of the Drawa forest carbon project in changing the community’s attitude towards managing the forest sustainably.
Without the project, Jerry believes that the community’s attitude towards the forest would have been different, nd they may have continued to cut down and burn trees.
“The project brought a new idea to the community, emphasising the importance of managing the forest sustainably and minimising damage to the environment,” he said.
Projects in Development Nakau CEO, Robbie Henderson said the valuable expertise and knowledge gained from the Drawa initiative can serve as a source of inspiration for other communities that are facing similar challenges.
“It demonstrates that carbon projects can provide essential economic assistance to people without causing harm to their forests,” he said.
“As the global community gathered at COP27 and COP15, the need for urgent nature-based solutions to combat our climate and nature crises has become more crucial than ever before.”
Mr Henderson said these international forums emphasise the importance of implementing solutions that safeguard the environment, preserve biodiversity, and support local communities.
“Preserving intact primary forests that can support carbon projects is a key strategy for companies striving towards achieving net zero emissions through offsets,” he said.
Nakau is presently collaborating with local partners and communities in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea to establish new projects.
This article was first published in Wansolwara and has been republished here with the kind permission of the editor(s).
With the vision, Sustainable Forests, our Future, the Ministry of Forestry is grateful to its stakeholders, corporate organisations, individuals and communities for their collective efforts in championing this objective.
This week, we highlight the sustainable and conservation efforts of Drawa Village through the Drawa Forest Conservation Project and the Drawa Block.
The Drawa Block is located in Central Vanua Levu, within the province of Cakaudrove and Macuata, which is made up of mountainous terrain, covered with indigenous old-growth and secondary forest.
Working in partnership with Live and Learn Fiji, the Drawa Forest Conservation Project, with support from the Nakau Programme, addresses climate change mitigation, ecosystems-based adaptation to climate change and rural livelihoods and provides a solution to the challenge of financing long-term maintenance of protected areas.
The Drawa project aims to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by changing forest management from timber extraction to forest protection. The communities within the Drawa block voluntarily gave land for this project almost 20 years ago, making it the first REDD+ carbon trade project to be implemented in Fiji.
Championing the cause for sustainability and conservation, the Drawa landowners gave up their rights to logging timber on 1549.29 hectares of their land in exchange for the opportunity to sell rainforest carbon offsets as a way of generating revenue for local economic development.
In a talanoa session last month at the Grand Pacific Hotel, former school teacher and Drawa Block Forest Community Cooperative (DBFCC) board member, Aminiasi Veisaci reflected on the community experience of the Drawa Project.
“I know our forefathers made the right decision 20 years ago, when they gave some of our land for the Project and I thank our village leaders at the time for their foresight,” Mr Veisaci said.
“Our forests have not been touched since that decision was made to have our village be a model for forest reserve”.
Proving that sustainable forests is definitely for the future, the current generation of Drawa villagers were able to reap the rewards of their forefathers conservation efforts when in May 2018, they became the first village in Fiji to trade carbon under the voluntary carbon market. The eight landowning units received $20,700 in proceeds from the trade.
Mr Veisaci said that since 2018, they continued to receive payments for eco-system services (PES) for their steadfast efforts in conserving their forests.
In January 2021, Fiji became the first small island developing state (SIDS) to sign an Emission Reductions Payment Agreement (ERPA) with the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF).
FCPF is a global partnership of governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous Peoples focused on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, forest carbon stock conservation, the sustainable management of forests, and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries, activities commonly referred to as REDD+.
The FCPF works with 47 developing countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean, along with 17 donors that have made contributions and commitments totaling $1.3 billion. The FCPF supports REDD+ efforts through its Readiness and Carbon Funds.
Minister of Economy Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum had signed the landmark agreement with FCPF a global partnership housed at the World Bank, that will unlock up to US$12.5 million (approx. FJ$26 million) in results-based payments for increasing carbon sequestration and reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The five-year agreement will reward efforts to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation under Fiji’s ambitious emission reductions programme and both the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Forestry will have lead roles in this initiative.
In signing the agreement, Minister Sayed-Khaiyum said the emission reduction programme area includes over 37,000 hectares spread over 20 districts on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni, with the potential to expand to other areas that express interest.
“The contracted volume of greenhouse gases that Fiji is expected to sequester from these forest activities in the next five years is 2.5 million tonnes, for which a result-based payment of USD 12.5 million will be paid upon verification by the World Bank,” Mr Sayed-Khaiyum said.
Typical approaches to forest protection often fail if they do not address the need for income generation that can replace the ‘opportunity cost’ of rejecting unsustainable developments.
As part of the Nakau Programme, the Drawa project demonstrates the potential to finance forest protection and all of its associated co-benefits through production and the sale of carbon credits.
78 families living at the Newtown Hart in Suva have received assistance packages from the Live and Learn Fiji organisation.
The assistance is funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Each family received food ration packs, hygiene and washing kits.
One of the recipients was 67-year-old Sera Mataika Ratu and her 8-year-old granddaughter.
The Social Welfare beneficiary who is wheelchair-bound was emotional when receiving the assistance and says it has brought relief to them in this unfortunate time.
Ratu says they are thankful to Live and Learn and its partners for responding to their needs.
The initiative is in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Health, the RFMF, Empower Pacific and the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation
Tropical Cyclone Harold caused extensive destruction after making landfall as a category 4 storm in the Republic of Fiji on 8 April 2020.
Since then, International Organization for Migration’s partnership with the Fijian NGO Live and Learn has supported the ongoing rebuilding efforts by responding to the shelter needs of some of the most vulnerable households affected by Tropical Cyclone Harold (‘TC Harold’) in Vatulele island and Tailevu province (Western and Central Divisions respectively).
To address the shelter, water and sanitation and food security needs of 200,000 people affected, the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) contributed USD 100,000 to the IOM’s response.
The Category 4 cyclone, which left a trail of destruction in its path with average winds of up to 195km/hr and gusts up to 275km/hr caused substantial damage to dwellings, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure across the country. The devastation caused by the cyclone was followed by heavy rains for several weeks, which added flash flooding damage to the widespread destruction.
The humanitarian response was further impacted by COVID-19 lock-down measures, including national travel restrictions on all inter island transfers which limited access to cyclone affected areas.
A total of 464 households whose shelters were damaged in the Western and Central Divisions are receiving the supplies necessary to rebuild their homes. They are also participating in a Build Back Safer (BBS) training which trains people on building techniques, the identification of safe building locations and how to use locally available materials in conjunction with the items and tools included in the repair kit to rebuild their homes.
According to Vusuya Settlement’s community representative, “learning about how to strap roofs using the material provided is really important as most houses were roofless after TC Harold.”
AN independent impact evaluation report of MoneyMinded, ANZ’s financial inclusion program, has found the program significantly strengthened participants’ financial knowledge, skills and capabilities.
According to the findings of the study, 96 per cent of the respondents reported the MoneyMinded program had improved their financial wellbeing – meaning their ability to meet financial commitments, feel financially comfortable and cope with unexpected expenses.
ANZ Regional Executive Tessa Price, second left, ANZ chief executive officer Saud Minam, Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Faizul Ariff Ali and RMIT University researcher Marica Tabualevu, third from right, with ANZ staff members during the 2019 Moneyminded Impact Report launch at the ANZ House in Suva on Tuesday, October 08, 2019. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU
Speaking during the report launch in Suva today, ANZ Fiji country head Saud Minam said the program supported the Fijian Government and Reserve Bank of Fiji’s National Financial Inclusion Taskforce to improve financial inclusion rates and financial capabilities of Fijians.
“We will continue to support financial literacy because we know that investing our efforts in this area is important. With careful budgeting, planning and the practical life skills that MoneyMinded offers, we can contribute to positive changes in peoples’ lives,” Mr Minam said.
“Around 12,000 people in Fiji have taken part in MoneyMinded training since 2010, helping Fijians develop money skills, knowledge and confidence.”
The program is usually conducted as a one-day workshop with topics including planning for the future, making money last until pay day, needs and wants, budgeting, and assertiveness and learning to say “no”, and participants are encouraged to commit to action after the workshop, the report stated.
According to Reserve Bank of Fiji governor Ariff Ali, “The Reserve Bank’s efforts to increase financial inclusion in Fiji have been well supported by programs like MoneyMinded, which have played a positive role in changing the savings mindset of Fijians. Congratulations to ANZ and all agencies involved in the success of the MoneyMinded program in Fiji.”
The program is supported by Ola Fou, Live and Learn, Digicel, Fiji National University, Fiji National Provident Fund, HART, Paradise Beverages, Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Fiji Police Force.
