Twenty successful candidates for the iTaukei Trust Fund Board’s (TTFB) grant schemes for iTaukei businesses received their offer letters in Suva yesterday. The two schemes, the Business Ready Support Scheme (BRSS) and the Drua Innovation Small Grants Scheme 2.0 (DISGS 2.0), are key initiatives launched by TTFB in 2024 to promote innovation and entrepreneurship that benefits traditional resource owners in sustainable development.
During the presentation, Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu emphasized that the grants recognize “the extraordinary ideas and projects that will contribute to the sustainable development of our communities.” He noted that these initiatives not only highlight innovation but also demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, resilience, and the welfare of the people, particularly traditional resource owners.
Nicola Noble, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Fiji, also attended the event and mentioned that the embassy aims to enhance climate-resilient development, aligning Pacific priorities with its support for the initiative. Eight of the applicants received funding through DISGS 2.0, a collaborative effort between TTFB and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by various international bodies including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Korea International Cooperation Agency, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
Additionally, twelve iTaukei-owned businesses benefited from the BRSS, with projects ranging from community tourism and youth empowerment to commercial agriculture.