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

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

Two small island communities in Solomon Islands will benefit from the Kiwa Empower project officially launched yesterday. Nifili Island in Temotu Province and Sikaiana Island in Malaita Province are the two sites where the project will work with stakeholders to strengthen nature based solutions (NbS) aimed at inclusive and equitable climate change adaptation, food and water security and biodiversity conservation.

For an in-depth TV coverage, please click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BR-Cnpzgk

Source: Solomon islands Broadcasting Corporation

Date: 25/06/2025

The Kiwa Initiative launched its EMPOWER project with support from Australia and other donors in Solomon Islands on 24 June.

The Kiwa EMPOWER project will restore ecosystems and improve the health of waterways to increase climate resilience in two remote communities: Sikaiana in Malaita Province and Nifiloli in Temotu Province.

In Solomon Islands, the EMPOWER project will be implemented by Live and Learn Environmental Education, who will work directly with communities to incorporate indigenous knowledge and ensure solutions are locally-led. Congratulations to community leaders in Sikaiana and Nifiloli for your commitment to a more sustainable future.

During the Kiwa EMPOWER launch, Honourable Trevor Mahaga, Minister for Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology said, “To the donor partners … we extend our deepest appreciation. Your support has not only provided funding but has reignited hope. Through your partnership, Solomon Islands can step towards community led climate adaptation, resilience building and biodiversity protection.”

HE Rod Hilton, High Commissioner to Solomon Islands said, “ Australia is proud to support this project. We are especially pleased that it will focus on two harder to reach communities, because remoteness can increase vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and disasters”.

“Nature-based solutions,” High Commissioner Hilton said,“like those implemented through the EMPOWER project, address the environmental and social challenges of climate change simultaneously.”

The Kiwa Initiative brings together five donors; France, the European Union, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Australia has proudly contributed to Kiwa since 2020 – providing SBD32 million across the Pacific region. The Australian Government remains deeply committed to action on climate change, both at home and in our region. The Kiwa Initiative is an important demonstration of this commitment.

Source: Australia High Commission Press Release

Date: 02/07/2025