The U.S Ambassador, Catherine Ebert-Gray, today launched the first Project Preparation training conducted by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Papua New Guinea. The training aims to develop the skills of government and non-government stakeholders from Papua New Guinea in prioritizing areas of support that align with their climate adaptation plans and goals, designing bankable climate change adaptation projects, and improving access to external financial resources that could support them. “The U.S. government is committed to working with the Pacific Islands to build a resilient, self-sustainable region.” Ambassador Catherine Ebert-Gray said. “This training program will use the talent and leadership that is available right here in PNG and the region to build the foundation for Pacific Islanders to develop effective adaptation measures that attract international financing and enhance country ownership and sustainability.”
“Even with significant amounts of funding flowing into the region we are hindered by delayed disbursement because we struggle to come up with quality project proposals. This is one of the few courses that I know of that gives me the opportunity to learn and understand the key components of a sound project proposal so that I can garner greater support for projects to help my country be more environmentally and disaster resilient,” said Mary Karo, one of the participants who is attending the course. Participants of the course include mid-level managers of government departments and non- governmental organizations, as well as representatives from the private sector. Through Ready, USAID works with our partners in government and regional institutions to draft and implement policies to mitigate the impacts of, prepare for, and respond to climate change and natural disasters, and recover quickly from them. Since 2017, USAID helped mobilize $81 million from international climate funding sources for partner countries.