Central Division front and center as Ministry drives inclusive outreach and grants
The Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs is taking its programmes directly to communities in the Central Division, launching a series of consultations designed to explain the ministry’s roles, objectives and new initiatives for the current financial year. The sessions also aim to guide residents on how to access support.
So far, ministry teams have met with a diverse mix of communities, including Indo-Fijian, iTaukei/Kioan, Vanuatu, Melanesian, Solomon Islands, and Tongan groups, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to broad-based engagement across Fiji’s multi-ethnic fabric.
A central pillar of these efforts is the Multi-Ethnic Grants Programme, which provides funding for community projects that promote culture, heritage, arts, social cohesion and overall well-being. Past and ongoing projects funded through the programme cover a wide range of needs, such as water management, solar energy installations, equipment procurement, fencing, renovations, and learning and development initiatives.
The ministry says outreach will continue over the next two weeks, with the aim of strengthening community engagement and support across the Central Division.
Context from broader grants activity shows the scale of the ministry’s social cohesion drive. In recent rounds, the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs has allocated substantial funds to communities across Fiji:
– A Northern Division grant round totaling over $532,000 to support 78 applications, highlighting a strong push for inclusive development and cultural celebrations.
– Central Division allocations totaling tens of thousands to dozens of communities, including projects in Rabi Island, with a pattern of grants for facility renovations, fencing, accessibility improvements, water management and essential equipment.
– A second round delivering grants to seven community groups in Central and Eastern Divisions, totaling around $228,000, with examples including solar street lights, cemetery renovations, and building maintenance.
– Earlier revival of the grants program after a 14-year hiatus, with an initial allocation of about $1.5 million that underlined sustained government commitment to empowering community organizations across divisions.
Minister Charan Jeath Singh has stressed accountability in grant delivery, with monitoring, reporting requirements and site visits to ensure funds reach intended projects and communities. This grassroots focus aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen ties among Fiji’s diverse ethnic groups and to foster a more connected and resilient society.
Summary of key points:
– Central Division is hosting ongoing community consultations to explain ministry roles and new initiatives and to guide access to support.
– The Multi-Ethnic Grants Programme remains a primary vehicle for funding cultural, social, and development projects, including water management, solar energy, infrastructure and equipment.
– Past rounds demonstrate a broad and sustained investment across divisions, with a track record of transparency and oversight.
– The ministry plans to continue outreach for two more weeks in the Central Division, reinforcing a hands-on approach to community development.
A hopeful takeaway is that these ongoing, locally focused engagements and grant programs can strengthen social cohesion, improve living standards and empower communities to preserve their cultural identities while thriving together. The commitment to grassroots monitoring and reporting also helps ensure that resources deliver tangible, lasting benefits for Fiji’s diverse population.
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