Pacific Youth-led small grant Initiatives on Climate Change and Resilience launched

SS Youth Grant Launch

The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) has awarded a range of youth-led initiatives building climate change resilience, involving 11 groups across the region.  The recipients, chosen from more than 60 applicants for small grant support, are from Fiji, Niue, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. (Details at this link)

The virtual launch this month continues to demonstrate efforts to implement the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific (FRDP).
Supported by the Government of Australia through the Pacific Resilience Partnership, the projects cover a wide range of sectors including preserving traditional practices, strengthening mental resilience including through art, addressing water security, waste management and sustainable agro-forestry.

Addressing the launch event, PIFS Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Filimon Manoni congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to maintain commitment to assist and build the resilience of their communities.
“I’m really encouraged to note the interest from you to positively contribute to building resilience efforts within your communities. We received over 60 proposals that served to remind us of the cross-cutting impact of climate change and disaster risk, and that resilience cannot be constrained within one sector or one approach,” he added.

Ms. Emi Tagi, Acting Director, of the Pacific Climate Change Section within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to climate action recognising the threat that climate change poses to the Pacific.

She said building resilience into every sector is most effective including gender and social inclusion. So, the role that youth plays is important.

Ms. Tagi added that “emerging young leaders in our communities play a critical role as the region faces the challenges of climate change together.”

PRP Youth Hub Chair, Mr. Sevuloni Rokomatu, acknowledged the ongoing support from the Australian Government and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in facilitating such process in engaging our young people.

One of the youth recipients, Sabrina Taman from Santo Sunset Environment Network in Vanuatu shared her experience dealing with the impacts of on food gardens, homes, and livelihoods.

Ms Taman further highlighted that “this project on revival of traditional agricultural practices in remote communities is important for our climate resilience, particularly involving high school students to record traditional agricultural practices as a means of adaptation.”

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FRDP Coverpage half

Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders in 2016 endorsed the Framework for Resilient Development in the Pacific: An integrated approach to address climate and disaster risk management for more resilient development in the Pacific (FRDP).

HAP Cover

Humanitarian Action in the Pacific Report

One of the key activity of the TWG Human Mobility was to conduct a ‘Mapping and tracking of all the localisation activities conducted by partners in-country.’ Given the recent impacts of COVID 19, The objective of the mapping survey was two-fold which was tracking of localisation activities and the impact of COVID 19 on humanitarian activities at national level.

 

 

 

The mapping activity which was conducted through an online survey from the 17th till the 31st of July 2020 focused on;

– Providing an overview on the strength of localisation actors in the region,

– Identify areas to strengthen or to advance the implementation of the FRDP from all actors.

– Identify the impacts of COVID 19 on organisations and how they have localised their responses.

– Promote south-south collaboration amongst actors in sharing of good practices and local know how to reduce disaster risks and guaranteeing an inclusive and accessible humanitarian actions for all Pacific people.

The results of the mapping activity has been compiled into a report and was endorsed by the TWG members in February 2021. Click below to retrieve a copy.

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PRP Charter

The development of a PRP Charter is a key part of the 9-point strategy and provides clarity on what the PRP is and the roles and obligations of its members.

A copy of the PRP Charter is available on the link below.

PRP Charter - English

PRP Charter - French