Inclusion

Resilient Communities

Nature based Solutions (NbS)

Climate resilience

Food preservation

Disaster Risk Reduction

Gender & Social Inclusion

Empowered communities

Resilient Communities

Nature based Solutions (NbS)

Climate resilience

Food preservation

Disaster Risk Reduction

Gender & Social Inclusion

Empowered communities

Food security and nutrition tops Live and Learn list

Improving of nutrients in food and food security are two of the major focus of the non-governmental organisation Live & Learn Fiji, as they work on 29 communities in the Northern Division. Project Manager Kolosa Matebalavu says most of these communities are vulnerable to climate change and this is affecting their food sources, which eventually […]

Empowering Pacific Parliaments through Floating Budget Office

What is a Floating Budget Office? In the vast expanse of the Pacific, an innovative initiative that continues to revolutionize how parliaments analyze and understand their national budgets. The Floating Budget Office (FBO) is empowering Pacific nations to make more informed decisions about their financial futures. But what exactly is the FBO, and how is […]

Climate resilience with Vetiver grass planting

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and Live and Learn Fiji are spearheading the Atoll Food Futures program. It focuses on the strategic planting of Vetiver grass to counteract the adverse impacts of climate change on the environment. The initiative primarily targets informal settlements including Kilikali, Mataniborosisi, Waikerekere and Bilo along the Suva corridor where […]

Tunabuna calls for collaborative effort to enhance food security

The ever-increasing frequency and strength of natural disasters, the impacts of climate change, and inefficient agricultural production are among many other challenges that have exacerbated the struggles faced by vulnerable communities in accessing basic nutrition. This has been highlighted by Assistant Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna while speaking during the Pacific Food Week workshop. Tunabuna […]

Food security emphasized for informal settlements

Food security has taken center stage in the efforts of the non-governmental organization Live and Learn, particularly in informal settlements across Fiji. Under the Atoll Food Futures program, Live and Learn has extended its support to five informal settlements, with the most recent addition being the Bilo Settlement located in Lami, just outside Suva. Project […]

Prevalence of anaemia prompts intervention in communities

The prevalence of anaemia among children and women in Vanua Levu has prompted Live and Learn’s Drought Recovery and Climate Resilience Project to intervene in 29 communities in the Northern Division. According to the recent National Nutrition Survey, 63.1 percent of children under five years and 40 percent of expectant mothers suffer from anaemia in […]

Project to assist vulnerable communities

A Drought Recovery and Climate Resilient Project has been launched to build more adaptive and resilient communities in Fiji, particularly in the Northern Division. The United States has committed close to $1million for this project, which will be implemented in collaboration with Live and Learn Fiji. The project will help address the interlinked challenges of […]

Cabinet approves team

Cabinet has approved the formation of a National Emergency Response Team. National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) director Vasiti Soko confirmed this while delivering her closing remarks at a five-day emergency operation centre training at the Fiji Teachers Union Hall on Friday. “This is nothing new in the disaster space globally,” she said. “Solomon Islands is […]

Let’s ‘be the change’ on World Water Day and beyond

Savusavu, Fiji, 22 March 2023 – Today, children from 10 schools in the Northern Division in Fiji were among the first in the world to celebrate World Water Day by taking part in an oratory and drama contest organized by the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport and UNICEF. The contest has provided a platform for […]

CSOs, university help with pandemic recovery

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, […]

Food security and nutrition tops Live and Learn list

Posted on October 16, 2024October 22, 2025 by Paradise

Improving of nutrients in food and food security are two of the major focus of the non-governmental organisation Live & Learn Fiji, as they work on 29 communities in the Northern Division.

Project Manager Kolosa Matebalavu says most of these communities are vulnerable to climate change and this is affecting their food sources, which eventually affects the lives of villagers, in particular expecting mothers as well as children. Matebalavu says the assistance and support is part of the drought recovery and climate resilience project, funded by the US Government’s Pacific American Fund.

“Our activities are also aligned with the Ministry of Health in terms of improving nutrients for our people of the vulnerable groups. This is because they have these issues around the prevalence of Anemia for Bua, Cakaudrove and Macuata for children under five and also for pregnant women, they have deficiency in certain nutrients and some of the challenges and issues we will be addressing through this programme is really around improving food security in drought prone areas.”

Matebalavu says they are also working very closely with the Ministry of Agriculture in promoting smart agriculture and also sustainable resource management and empowerment for women to be engaged in this sector.

The project was launched in February this year (2023) and will run in Cakaudrove, Bua and Macuata for two and a half years.

Source: FBC News

Empowering Pacific Parliaments through Floating Budget Office

Posted on September 16, 2024October 22, 2025 by Paradise

What is a Floating Budget Office?

In the vast expanse of the Pacific, an innovative initiative that continues to revolutionize how parliaments analyze and understand their national budgets. The Floating Budget Office (FBO) is empowering Pacific nations to make more informed decisions about their financial futures. But what exactly is the FBO, and how is it making a difference?

The FBO is a Pacific Parliament-led initiative providing critical collaborative support to parliaments during the review of their national budgets. Upon the request, UNDP facilitates a team of experienced parliamentary researchers from across the region supporting the national parliament capacity in analyzing their budget.

Through this effort, parliaments throughout the region will be able to share best practices and information in an inclusive environment.

The FBO’s work is essential to making sure that public budgets, which are frequently complicated and technical, are transparent and subject to in-depth analysis. The FBO actively engages a variety of stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), in the budget review process by advocating a whole-of-society approach.

UNDP’s Support

UNDP Pacific has been providing technical assistance to parliaments to build the capacity of legislators to strengthen the relationship between parliament and the executive and civil society since 2017.

FBO supporting via briefs with internal government business discussions, UNDP Pacific has been offering technical assistance to parliaments in efforts to build capacity of legislator.

The budgets are often complex and require in-depth technical experience and knowledge in public finance, the FBO offers collaborative budget analysis to support Pacific parliaments and MPs while strengthening the region’s capacity for parliament research. As a result, UNDP has been considering how to advance a flexible architecture that would allow Pacific Parliaments to exchange knowledge and provide mutual support throughout their different budgetary procedures.

Under the direction of a team leader from the host or national parliament, the researchers create concise studies on important industries, offering unbiased and impartial information to legislators and civil society organizations. The independent approach builds trust and advances a culture of accountability and transparency in budgetary matters, which is essential for effective governance and development.

In 2021, UNDP invested in enhancing the quality of analytical tools available to parliamentary researchers, focusing on strategies to improve the PFBO’s budget analysis processes. This resulted in the development an automated budget analysis tool that streamlines the production of budget briefings for MPs, reducing resource demands while increasing the speed and accuracy of the analysis.

FBO in 2024

This year, the FBO was hosted by the Parliament of Tonga in April and the Parliament of Fiji in June consisting of participants from Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand. This helps the national parliament in staff capacity-building, enhancing knowledge of budget processes in other parliaments, learning about budget analysis practices and templated used in other parliaments and developing and strengthening budget researchers’ network.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) workshop

A key factor in forming and bolstering democratic processes is civil society. This is why FBO briefings are not only presented to Parliamentarians but also to varying CSOs. When civil society understands the complex budget documents and decisions, they can play an active role in advocating for various public interests.

By engaging CSOs, the FBO aligns with a whole-of-society and collaborative approach, which is critical for sustainable development. A one-day workshop was conducted by the Parliaments of Tonga and Fiji to help CSOs understand the allocated priorities of the budget and develop a basic understanding of budget analysis. By involving CSOs and the public in the analysis of public finance, FBO ensures that budgets reflect the needs and aspirations of the people.

Representative from the Soqosoqo Vakamarama iTaukei, Ana Vesikula, said public finance management is important for the country for nation building, peace stability and for sustainable economic growth.

“It is important to have the public informed and engaged from consultation to the implementation of the budget along with the various levels of the society and stakeholders. Having the budget in three main languages in Fiji would assist people to understand and have more knowledge of the budget of what is allocated, why and how,” she said.

Gender and Resilience Officer from Live and Learn Fiji, Joseva Ravula, said as a first-timer to this workshop, it highlighted the importance of the budget, what it meant, what it is and for who. “One of the things that brings to the table is the importance of people knowing the budget. I am not sure whether the information about the budget is very inclusive; to think about those who use braille – was it accounted for; those who have hearing impairments if it was accounted for them. When we look at the inclusivity of information, we need to meet the needs of our people because they have the right to hear, to see, to be answered with the information surrounding the budget,” he said.

UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji provides essential support for parliamentary development across the region through two regional projects: the Pacific Parliamentary Effectiveness Initiative (PPEI), supported by the Government of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and the second phase of the Strengthening Legislatures in Pacific Island Countries project, supported by the Government of Japan. In addition, this work is also made possible via the Fiji Parliament Support Project, supported by MFAT and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For more information, please contact:

Ashna Kumar | Communications Associate | UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji |

Date: 16/09/2024

Climate resilience with Vetiver grass planting

Posted on March 18, 2024October 22, 2025 by Paradise

The Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and Live and Learn Fiji are spearheading the Atoll Food Futures program.

It focuses on the strategic planting of Vetiver grass to counteract the adverse impacts of climate change on the environment.

The initiative primarily targets informal settlements including Kilikali, Mataniborosisi, Waikerekere and Bilo along the Suva corridor where communities deal with numerous challenges stemming from erratic weather patterns.

The Ministry’s land use section is at the forefront of efforts to address soil erosion and stabilization.

Utilizing Vetiver grass known for its ability to form dense narrow edges when planted closely, the approach has proven effective in controlling soil erosion and stabilizing watercourses.

Originally developed over 50 years ago for Fiji’s sugar industry, the use of Vetiver grass has become a standard practice for soil and water conservation, particularly in small-scale farming and residential compounds.

Vetiver grass finds widespread application across Fiji from reinforcing road embankments to stabilizing stream banks and contour hedges in farmland.

Farmers routinely employ Vetiver to fortify farm roads, regulate runoff water and shield vegetable crops from erosion.

Acknowledging climate change as an enduring natural occurrence, the collaboration highlights the necessity of nature-based solutions such as Vetiver grass to combat its effects.

Source: FBC News

Tunabuna calls for collaborative effort to enhance food security

Posted on January 17, 2024October 22, 2025 by Paradise

This has been highlighted by Assistant Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna while speaking during the Pacific Food Week workshop.

Tunabuna says food loss and waste remain challenges in the design of sustainable food systems.

He adds that the Pacific Food Week workshop will enable participants to improve their technical understanding of key food systems concepts that underpin various approaches to food security and development.

The workshop is organized by the Live and Learn Fiji Environmental Education—Resilient Food Systems and the Climate Resilient Islands Program and is attended by participants from Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji.

Source: FBC News

Date: 17/01/2024

Food security emphasized for informal settlements

Posted on November 2, 2023December 23, 2025 by Paradise

Food security has taken center stage in the efforts of the non-governmental organization Live and Learn, particularly in informal settlements across Fiji.

Under the Atoll Food Futures program, Live and Learn has extended its support to five informal settlements, with the most recent addition being the Bilo Settlement located in Lami, just outside Suva.

Project Manager Ponijese Korovulavula points out that informal settlements are home to many vulnerable populations, and they face numerous challenges, including limited access to fresh and nutritious food and the impacts of climate change.

“We are training them on how to be smart in terms of planting and also for our training we have included how they raise seedlings because most of them for the training, they does not have access to it because they have been isolated.”

Korovulavula explains that the decision to focus on informal settlements comes from the understanding that these communities are often overlooked in vital community development initiatives. The goal is to bridge this gap and empower communities to achieve food security and address the challenges posed by climate change.

By collaborating closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Australian government-funded project under Live and Learn has provided essential training in seed raising, good agricultural practices, seed extraction, and seed saving.

These initiatives are designed to equip residents with the knowledge and tools needed to sustain their food sources.

Source: FBC News

Date: 02/11/2023

Prevalence of anaemia prompts intervention in communities

Posted on October 13, 2023October 22, 2025 by Paradise

According to the recent National Nutrition Survey, 63.1 percent of children under five years and 40 percent of expectant mothers suffer from anaemia in Fiji.

Project Manager, Kolosa Matebalavu says their intervention is tailor-made to address the issue of iron deficiency identified in communities.

Matebalavu says this is through the practice of climate-smart agriculture.

“It is actually equipping them with the knowledge around how they can make use of the traditional knowledge that they already have, passed on from generations, and the existing practices … but also adding in some of the new techniques and innovations on how they can help them address some of the climate impacts.”

Matebalavu says their aspiration is aligned with the Ministry of Health’s objective in improving nutrition and decreasing anaemia from 40 percent to 20 percent by 2030.

He says they are also working with the Ministry of Agriculture, encouraging people to grow and eat nutritious food from their backyard or farm.

Live and Learn’s Drought Recovery and Climate Resilience Project is a three-year programme, funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

Source: FBC News

Project to assist vulnerable communities

Posted on May 28, 2023October 22, 2025 by Paradise

A Drought Recovery and Climate Resilient Project has been launched to build more adaptive and resilient communities in Fiji, particularly in the Northern Division.

The United States has committed close to $1million for this project, which will be implemented in collaboration with Live and Learn Fiji. The project will help address the interlinked challenges of climate change, rural poverty, food insecurity, and land degradation.

Live and Learn Fiji Country Director, Doris Susau says their efforts are tailored address the current crisis faced by rural communities.

“This program will enhance the development of climate resilient communities through various activities such as climate smart agriculture training, food preservation training, community-based disaster risk reduction awareness and training, watershed management, and, through the project, we will help to connect our communities to markets.”

The U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Marie Damour, says this will also benefit vulnerable communities.

“They will introduce community-based disaster risk management approaches and promote all of the inclusivity that the Director of Living, Lauren Fiji, has mentioned, because we know from experience that it’s often the people who live with disabilities and the children who feel these effects most often.”

The Ambassador is calling on relevant stakeholders to ensure these efforts are integrated and fulfill the needs of the individual communities on an individual basis.

Source: FBC News

Cabinet approves team

Posted on May 7, 2023October 22, 2025 by Paradise

“This is nothing new in the disaster space globally,” she said. “Solomon Islands is the first country in the Pacific to form a National Emergency Response Team. It’s also looking at ensuring that when you are deployed, you are deployed understanding humanitarian principles. You understand the different classes that exist within you, understand the logistic plan, how to prepare well for response. All of these small things, we take for granted but they really do save lives.”

She said decision makers relied heavily on the information that came from the Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) during disasters. “Everything is so important because as decision makers, we rely on the information that comes from you.

“So how you operate in emergency operation centers, how you work as a team, how you ensure that information is correct and verified, that comes from the district, to the divisional, to national.

“Those processes are very important to be followed because any delays between may cost a life,” she said.

The training program was organised by Live and Learn Fiji, a recipient of Australian Government funding through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership’s Disaster Ready 2.0 program.

It was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Rural Development and Maritime and National Disaster Management, as well as other government ministries.

Source: Fiji Times

Date: 07/05/2023

Let’s ‘be the change’ on World Water Day and beyond

Posted on March 22, 2023October 22, 2025 by Paradise

Savusavu, Fiji, 22 March 2023 – Today, children from 10 schools in the Northern Division in Fiji were among the first in the world to celebrate World Water Day by taking part in an oratory and drama contest organized by the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport and UNICEF.

The contest has provided a platform for the children to share their voice and advocate on the importance of accelerating change when it comes to saving their homes from water scarcity as well as water borne diseases – one of the leading causes of death for children under five across the Pacific.

“Water is an essential need to survive, and we all need to take responsibility. Since everything on earth is connected to water, we, ourselves, need to look after it,” said Ethan Rossi, 14, from St. Andrews Primary School who was also the winner of the primary level oratory contest. “I am grateful that a platform like this has been provided for children like myself to be able to lead, inspire, and empower others on the importance of water.”

Approximately 96 per cent of Fiji’s total population has access to improved drinking water. However, while access is good, there is still the need to ensure that services are available on demand, and free from contamination, especially during and after disasters.

“The theme ‘Accelerating Change’ is correct as this is very much the focus of the Government’s development programmes in all sectors including water,” said the Hon. Minister for Health and Medical Services, Dr. Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu. “The theme also seeks to inspire people at different levels and sectors to learn more about water-related issues and to take action to make a difference.”

Students from primary and secondary levels took part, including Savusavu Secondary School, St. Bedes College, Navatu Secondary School, Seaqaqa Central College, Ahmadiyya Muslim College, Khemendra Sanatan Primary School, Nasavusavu Public School, Nasavusavu District School, St. Andrews Primary School, and Muanivatu District School.

The children advocated to key stakeholders, including the media, about how water affects everyone and equally, there is a need for everyone to take action. Families, communities, schools and even children can make a difference by changing the way they use, consume and manage water in their daily lives. This can be achieved as easily as through saving water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaking water pipes.

“While Fiji has made remarkable progress towards improving the lives of Fijians through improved services of water and sanitation, we still must not forget that a third of children in the Pacific do not have access to good sanitation, and one in ten do not have access to safe drinking water,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative, Jonathan Veitch.

“We thank the Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, 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, Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Heritage and Arts, Ministry for Lands and Mineral Resources, Water Authority of Fiji, Live and Learn and Habitat for Humanity Fiji.

The Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport 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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UN 2023 Water Conference:

This week marks the first UN Water Conference in the last 46 years!

Taking place in New York from 22-24 March 2023, the conference comes at a pivotal moment in history, on the heels of a global pandemic that underscored the importance of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene access. The world is also in the throes of a rapidly worsening climate crisis, with water becoming scarcer in some areas due to drought, and dangerously destructive in others through floods and storms. No one stands to suffer more than children.

The Pacific has just recently again seen the result of this first-hand with the recent droughts in Kiribati and Tuvalu as well as the twin cyclones that hit Vanuatu. These are not new for the region, but the weather and rainfall patterns have become more erratic because of the climate crisis over the past few decades.

World leaders, relevant organizations and other participants will convene for the first time in 46 years to review progress toward ensuring access to water and sanitation for all. At the conference, UNICEF is calling for:

Rapid scale-up of investment in the sector, including from global climate financing.
Strengthening climate resilience in the WASH sector and communities.
Prioritizing the most vulnerable communities in WASH programmes and policies.
Increasing effective and accountable systems, coordination, and capacities to provide water and sanitation services.
Implementing the UN-Water SDG6 Global Acceleration Framework and investing in the key accelerators.

About the Fiji Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport:

The Ministry is responsible for policy formulation, planning, design, regulatory, coordination and implementation of programmes, projects and services relating to infrastructural works, utilities (water and electricity), transport (air, road, sea), meteorology and hydrology.

Similarly, responsible for policy and legislative oversight of the Fiji Roads Authority, the Water Authority of Fiji, the Land Transport Authority, the Maritime Authority of Fiji, and Energy Fiji Limited. 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, Department of Water and Sewerage, Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, mohammed.khan@govnet.gov.fj

Zubnah Khan, UNICEF Pacific, Tel: +679 9988137, zukhan@unicef.org

Date: 22/03/2023

CSOs, university help with pandemic recovery

Posted on February 10, 2023October 22, 2025 by Paradise

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.

Source: Fiji Times

Date: 10/02/2023