Kiwa Empower expands climate resilience work to 20 Vanua Levu communities
Twenty communities in Vanua Levu are set to benefit from a three-year environmental resilience and climate adaptation initiative, following the national launch of the Kiwa Empower Project. The program, part of the Kiwa Initiative, has a total value of about $7.5 million and draws funding from the European Union, France, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to support Fiji, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands.
Most of the targeted communities are coastal and highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Under Kiwa Empower, residents will receive training and implement nature-based solutions designed to strengthen local climate resilience. Regional Project Manager Subesh Prasad said the milestone marks a meaningful step in addressing the needs and ongoing challenges faced by affected communities, and he acknowledged the North division’s commissioner for their instrumental support in Kiwa Empower and other Live & Learn projects in the region.
Dorris Susau, Country Director for Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji, praised the resilience and commitment of the communities involved. She noted that the project design aligns with national priorities and directly addresses community needs, emphasizing that the initiative is about empowering people on the ground. Susau also highlighted that partnership and collaboration remain central to Kiwa Empower, with continued commitments to support rural and remote communities in the North.
The program focuses on key areas including conservation, disaster risk reduction, food security, gender equality, disability and social inclusion, water resource management, and human health. The twenty participating communities in Vanua Levu include Naivaka, Naiviqiri, Nasau, Ravuka, Cawadevo, Visoqo, and fourteen others across the Cakaudrove region.
Context and outlook
Kiwa Empower is part of a broader regional push funded by five international partners under the Kiwa Initiative, which aims to bolster climate resilience across Pacific Island communities through nature-based solutions. The initiative has already supported multiple projects across Fiji, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands, with additional sites planned as regional workshops and stakeholder engagement progress in 2025. The emphasis on ecosystem restoration, water security, and climate-smart agriculture reflects a growing commitment to sustainable development and climate adaptation in the Pacific.
Editor’s note
This program presents a hopeful vision for vulnerable coastal communities, showing how collaborative international support and locally led action can translate into tangible resilience. For readers, follow-up coverage could highlight how communities monitor progress, partner organizations’ roles on the ground, and early signs of impact in areas such as food security and water management.
Summary
A three-year Kiwa Empower initiative is rolling out in 20 Vanua Levu communities to enhance climate resilience through training and nature-based solutions, focusing on conservation, disaster risk reduction, food security, inclusion, water resources, and health, supported by regional partners and highlighting ongoing regional collaboration in Fiji’s North.
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