The government has boosted funding for grassroots projects in Fiji’s Northern Division, allocating $2 million to the Multi-Ethnic Grant Programme this financial year — an increase of $700,000 on the previous year — with 195 community-based organisations across Labasa, Seaqaqa, Dreketi, Nasarawaqa, Bua, Nadogo and Savusavu set to benefit.
The handover of funds was conducted by Charan Jeath Singh, Minister for Public Enterprises, Multi‑Ethnic Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts. Recipients span religious institutions, village groups and local organisations working on development-focused projects, officials said. A wide range of practical improvements will be financed, including building renovations, provision of materials for sheds, purchase of musical instruments, water-supply works, solar installations, cemetery upgrades, fencing, equipment procurement, accessibility improvements and a learning and development project.
One concrete example highlighted during the distribution was in Wainikoro, where the Nubu Advisory Councillor Kamal Singh said the grant will be used to construct a proper cremation facility to replace temporary arrangements that have been vulnerable to disruption in adverse weather. Councillor Singh described the assistance as addressing a longstanding challenge for the community.
Ministry officials emphasised that recipients were chosen after a strict evaluation process involving multiple levels of review before final approval. Minister Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive community development and urged recipients to ensure transparency and proper financial management to guarantee project completion and impact.
The $2 million allocation marks the latest expansion of a programme that has been reactivated and scaled up over the past year. Earlier reporting noted the Multi‑Ethnic Affairs Ministry resumed community grant funding after a 14‑year hiatus and rolled out initial support to other divisions with allocations such as a $1.5 million package for the Western Division. The ministry has previously sought increased budgetary support to meet rising demand and expand reach; officials have also urged communities to use allocated funds promptly to help justify future budget requests.
Local leaders and ministry staff say the larger envelope this year will allow broader support across more grassroots projects than was possible under smaller previous allocations, which ranged from modest sums in earlier phases to the more substantial sums recently mobilised. For beneficiaries in the Northern Division, the funds are intended to address immediate infrastructure gaps and small-scale service needs that can bolster community resilience and participation.
As the programme moves forward, the ministry will be monitoring project implementation and compliance with reporting requirements, Minister Singh said. The boost to $2 million is being presented as a tangible sign of government support for community-led initiatives, and officials expect the funded projects to deliver visible improvements at village and institutional levels across the Northern Division in the months ahead.
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