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The Kiwa Initiative, a multi-donor programme, aims at strengthening the resilience of Pacific countries and territories’ ecosystems, economies and communities by setting up a one-stop-shop for funding projects that promote Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate change adaptation and biodiversity preservation. This objective is achieved by providing technical and financial support.

“The Initiative is one of the few regional programme that foster the design and implementation of common solutions for island countries and the French territories in the Pacific to address climate change adaptation while preserving biodiversity for the well-being of communities” said Ms Caroline Edant, Regional Project Manager on Biodiversity and Climate Change.

Managed by the Agence �������ç������e de Développement (AFD), the Initiative of 35 million euros* is the first international cooperation programme to bring together the European Union (EU), France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The official launch comes after a three-day awareness workshop that was held on 15, 16 and 17 June specifically targeted at potential grant recipients of the Kiwa Initiative local projects component. The workshop provided participants with information regarding the grants portfolio and processes, including its eligibility criteria.

“The three-day awareness workshop is designed to not only to raise the awareness of participants on the overall objectives of the Kiwa Initiative but also to provide clarification to potential grantees.�� The Kiwa Initiative local project component of EUR 6M is implemented by the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania Regional Office. It is important that the grant portfolio, eligibility criteria, timelines and process are presented to ensure grantees capacity in accessing funding which will support their ongoing work for climate resilience and biodiversity conservation in their local environment. The Kiwa Initiative team stands ready to provide technical assistance, build grantee capacity and assist with the overall grant process. My team and I look forward to closely working with grantees in the coming months”, said Mason Smith, Regional Director of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania.

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Relevant documents will be made available via the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Kiwa Initiative webpage: https://www.iucn.org/regions/oceania/our-work/deploying-nature-based-solutions/kiwa-initiative

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^{*This total amount is subject to the approval of the addendum to the Contribution agreement between AFD and the European Union for the EU top-up of €4M.}

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^{Media contacts:}

^{Epeli Nakautoga, Communications Officer, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania | Email: [email protected] | Phone: +(679) 7772 855}

^{Bettina Lê, Logistic, Support and Logistic officer, Kiwa Initiative Secretariat | Email: [email protected] | Phone: +(687) 24.24.33}

^{Virginie Dabout, Press Media support for the Kiwa Initiative Secretariat | Email: [email protected] | Phone: +(687) 75.64.79}