A significant funding allocation of $4.2 million has been secured by Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji through the Kiwa Initiative to support various climate resilience projects in the country over the next three years. This announcement was made by Subesh Prasad, the regional project manager for Live & Learn, during the launch of Kiwa’s latest regional projects at the Novotel Hotel in Lami.
Mr. Prasad expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with the Kiwa Initiative, highlighting the commitment to positively impact vulnerable communities in Fiji that are facing challenging climate conditions. Live & Learn, recognized as a charitable trust in Fiji, collaborates with communities throughout Asia and the Pacific to foster sustainable and ethical practices.
The Kiwa Initiative is funded by multiple international bodies, including the European Union, Agence française de développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). It aims to enhance climate resilience via nature-based solutions in Pacific Island ecosystems and economies.
The new projects, named Kiwa Empower and Kiwa Restore, will be executed by Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji and Conservation International, and they will also extend to Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, pending official approval.
Over the next three years, the initiative will implement interventions focusing on restoring degraded lands, improving water systems, increasing tree planting, and promoting climate-smart agriculture to enhance food security in various communities. Specifically, 20 communities across Vanua Levu—the provinces of Cakaudrove, Macuata, and Bua—will benefit from these projects.
This funding is part of a broader €6.6 million ($F15.7 million) investment by the Kiwa Initiative aimed at climate adaptation throughout the Pacific, demonstrating a strong commitment to fighting climate change and supporting vulnerable communities.
This investment embodies hope and transformation for local communities, highlighting the importance of collaboration and action in addressing climate change challenges. As these projects progress, they have the potential to inspire other regions to follow suit in implementing sustainable solutions that protect both the environment and the livelihood of communities.
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