Twenty successful candidates for the iTaukei Trust Fund Board’s (TTFB) grant programs aimed at iTaukei businesses received their offer letters in Suva yesterday.
The two programs, known as the Business Ready Support Scheme (BRSS) and the Drua Innovation Small Grants Scheme 2.0 (DISGS 2.0), represent key initiatives launched by TTFB in 2024, focusing on encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship that benefits traditional resource owners within the realm of sustainable development.
During the presentation of the offer letters, Ifereimi Vasu, the Minister for iTaukei Affairs, stated that these grant schemes acknowledge “the extraordinary ideas and projects that will contribute to the sustainable development of our communities.” He emphasized that these initiatives not only highlight innovation but also demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity, resilience, and the well-being of the people, particularly traditional resource owners.
Nicola Noble, the Deputy British High Commissioner to Fiji, also participated in the event, noting that the embassy has been actively working to promote climate-resilient development, placing Pacific priorities at the forefront of its initiatives, which is why they support this program.
Among the recipients, eight were awarded grants through the DISGS 2.0, a collaborative effort between TTFB and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supported by funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and the United Kingdom Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The BRSS provided grants to twelve iTaukei-owned businesses, which included various ventures such as community tourism projects, youth empowerment programs, and commercial agriculture initiatives.