Twenty successful applicants received their offer letters for grant schemes aimed at iTaukei businesses during a presentation in Suva yesterday.
The two initiatives, the Business Ready Support Scheme (BRSS) and the Drua Innovation Small Grants Scheme 2.0 (DISGS 2.0), are cornerstone projects launched by the iTaukei Trust Fund Board (TTFB) in 2024. These schemes are designed to promote innovation and entrepreneurship that will directly or indirectly benefit traditional resource owners while advancing sustainable development.
During the ceremony, Minister for iTaukei Affairs Ifereimi Vasu emphasized that the grants recognize exceptional ideas and projects that will aid in the sustainable progress of their communities. He stated, “These projects not only showcase innovation but reflect a strong commitment to inclusivity, resilience, and the well-being of our people, especially traditional resource owners.”
Nicola Noble, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Fiji, also addressed the attendees, noting the embassy’s efforts to enhance climate-resilient development while prioritizing Pacific interests, leading to their support for the TTFB initiative.
Among the grant recipients, eight were awarded through DISGS 2.0, a collaborative project between TTFB and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), receiving support from various international agencies, 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’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.
The BRSS awarded grants to twelve iTaukei-owned businesses, which span areas such as community tourism, youth empowerment, and commercial agriculture.