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������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania Regional Director, Leituala Kuiniselani Toelupe Tago, emphasised the vital role of the Kiwa granting facility, stating, “The Kiwa granting facility is the quickest way to get donor investments to our people and to maximise impact.” This facility ensures that financial resources are allocated effectively, directly benefiting local communities and enhancing their capacity to implement conservation projects.

During the meeting, Ms. Toelupe Tago also elaborated on the importance of grant management and administration. “Effective grant management is essential to ensure that funds are used efficiently, towards meeting the needs of our people on the ground, in alignment with the guidelines and procedures of both ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� and the Kiwa donors”, said Ms Toelupe Tago. Our ability to build compliance against these guidelines and procedures is premised on our relationship building an engagement not just with our donors, but also with our grant recipients.

On the topic of Capacity Building, Ms Toelupe Tago remarked, “A vigorous capacity building strategy is key” highlighting that the strategy would empower local communities and enhance their capabilities to manage projects successfully. Additionally, investing in training and resources for local teams is fundamental to achieving long-term sustainability in conservation efforts.

When discussing the need to leverage resources, Ms. Toelupe Tago also noted, “The ability to leverage existing resources can enable greater impact and sustainability.” Stakeholders were encouraged to think creatively about how to use available assets to support conservation initiatives.

The importance of adopting different approaches and strategies was emphasised at the meeting “Adopting different approaches can lead to different outcomes.”, Ms Toelupe Tago shared. The idea of adopting different approaches will encourage innovation and adaptability in project implementation, allowing for adaptive solutions that meet specific community needs. By recognising that a one-size-fits-all approach doesnot always work, stakeholders will be motivated to explore different methods to address unique challenges faced by various communities. This flexibility improves conservation efforts and encourages new ideas and quick responses, leading to better and more lasting results.

Compliance and requirements were also critical topics of discussion. Ms. Toelupe Tago emphasised, “Relationship building and engagement is the pathway to compliance.” explaining that building strong relationships with stakeholders is crucial for making sure projects follow rules and succeed. “The success of our grantees is our success, which in turn reflects the success of our donors.”, Ms Toelupe Tago said.

A major highlight of the meeting was the introduction of a Geographic Information System (GIS) Dashboard for the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Kiwa Initiative project. Ms. Toelupe Tago described this tool as a game-changer, stating, “This dashboard will provide a centralised platform for real-time data visualisation, allowing stakeholders to monitor project progress and track key performance indicators.” She added that transforming complex data into accessible visuals improves accountability and supports informed decision-making.

The ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� GIS Officers, Inia Corerega and Simione Naivalu, played an essential role in developing the dashboard. They highlighted that the GIS dashboard would revolutionise how we assessed and visualised our projects. The dashboard will equip communities by providing them with the information they need to make informed decisions about their natural resources. “By integrating spatial data, we can better understand the impacts of our initiatives and adjust our strategies accordingly,” Mr. Inia said.

Mission to the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Kiwa project site in Labasa

The visit by the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Kiwa team and AFD - Agence �������ç������e de Développement donors to Labasa included a tour of the Raviravi site, which is part of the Kiwa Initiative C3 project. During the visit, they presented a map of the seven Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) sites in the Qoliqoli Cokovata area, covering 163.32 hectares, with 89.52 hectares designated as Mangrove Protected Areas. The initiative has successfully planted 6,520 mangroves and raised 14,142 propagules at the nursery, showing a commitment to restoring their coastal ecosystems. This information was part of the GIS map in the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Kiwa dashboard for the C3 Fiji project.

The Kiwa Initiative aims to help Pacific Island communities become more resilient to climate change and environmental damage. It promotes sustainable management of marine and coastal resources, allowing local communities to thrive while protecting their natural heritage. By working together, the initiative seeks to empower communities, boost biodiversity, and support sustainable development.

As implementing partners for the Kiwa Initiative programme, ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania helps its grantees by promoting teamwork and making a bigger impact. The organisation is always working to ensure that grantees can meet their goals, which helps both grantees and donors succeed together. ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Oceania works to strengthen local communities so they can better address environmental issues and support sustainable development.

The is funded by the European Union (EU), Agence �������ç������e de Développement, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT), and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and has established partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and the Oceania Regional Office of International Union for Conservation of Nature (������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��).

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