A significant funding of $4.2 million has been designated to Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji by the Kiwa Initiative for the execution of various projects over the next three years. This announcement was made by Subesh Prasad, the regional project manager for Live and Learn, during the launch of Kiwa’s latest regional initiatives at the Novotel Hotel in Lami earlier this week.
Mr. Prasad expressed enthusiasm about being part of the Kiwa Initiative, highlighting its aim to make a positive impact in vulnerable communities prone to climate challenges. Registered in Fiji as a charitable trust, Live & Learn collaborates with communities across Asia and the Pacific, promoting sustainable and ethical values.
The Kiwa Initiative, backed by funding from 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), seeks to foster nature-based solutions to enhance climate resilience in Pacific Island ecosystems and communities.
The two newly launched projects, Kiwa Empower and Kiwa Restore, will be executed in coordination with Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji and Conservation International. In addition to Fiji, Live & Learn will also implement aspects of the project in Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands, pending their official approval.
Prasad elaborated that the initiative will include nature-based interventions and restoration of degraded lands, targeting 20 communities across Vanua Levu. This includes improving their water systems, increasing tree planting, and promoting climate-smart agriculture to bolster food security.
The funding for the Kiwa projects in Fiji is part of a larger €6.6 million (approximately $F15.7 million) investment aimed at enhancing climate adaptation programs across the Pacific.
This initiative represents a concerted effort to empower communities in the face of climate change, ensuring that they are better equipped to adapt and thrive. By focusing on sustainable practices and collaborative efforts, it is not just an investment in environmental resilience but also a proactive step toward securing a better future for vulnerable populations in the region.
Comments: This funding not only demonstrates a commitment to addressing climate change but also emphasizes community involvement in creating sustainable solutions. It is a hopeful development, showing that collective efforts can lead to meaningful change and support vulnerable communities.
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