A new climate resilience initiative, the Kiwa Empower project, has been launched in Suva with a budget of £3 million ($F7.5 million). Targeting 24 communities across Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu, this project aims to employ nature-based solutions to combat pressing climate challenges in these regions.
Doris Susau, country director of Live & Learn Fiji, indicated that the project will focus on critical areas such as food security, water management, and the restoration of degraded coastal and inland areas. “Nature-based solutions are essential to address the pressing climate change issues impacting our communities,” she remarked, stressing the importance of collaboration with governmental partners to tackle concerns related to food security, livelihoods, and sustainable water resource management.
The initiative will cover 20 sites in the Northern Division of Vanua Levu, including the provinces of Cakaudrove, Bua, and Macuata. Additionally, two remote atoll communities in Tuvalu and two villages in the Solomon Islands will also benefit from this transformative effort.
A key feature of the project will be its inclusive approach, engaging women and youth in all activities to ensure local insights and voices are prioritized during implementation.
The funding has been provided by five international partners under the Kiwa Initiative, namely the European Union, French government, Australian government, New Zealand government, and Canadian government. With implementation set to begin following a regional workshop, stakeholder engagement is planned for March and April 2025, marking a crucial step toward enhancing resilience against climate change.
This project offers hope for vulnerable communities grappling with climate-related issues, illustrating how collaborative efforts and natural strategies can yield significant environmental and socio-economic benefits. The unfolding initiatives promise to inspire further actions towards sustainable development and necessary adaptation strategies throughout the region.
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