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The Kiwa Initiative launches new projects and receives additional contributions from its donors to strenghten climate resilience in the Pacific Region
In the margins of the Kiwa Initiative Steering Committee meeting, the Kiwa Initiative awarded grants to two additional regional projects and announced the selection of four local projects in Pacific Island Countries, to enhance climate change adaptation thanks to Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The Initiative's budget has now reached more than EUR 75 million (FJD 180 million), owing to increased donor contributions from France and Canada. Aotearoa New Zealand is this year’s chair of the Kiwa Initiative. Its support reflects that biodiversity, oceans and nature is a priority area for its climate action. Aotearoa New Zealand looks forward to the next Kiwa Initiative calls for proposals, and the large and small projects that will be generated as a result.
- Thanks to the financial support of the donors, the Initiative has gained new traction.
The Kiwa Initiative – Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for climate resilience aims at strengthening the climate change resilience of Pacific Islands ecosystems, communities and economies through NbS, by protecting, sustainably managing and restoring biodiversity. The Initiative, launched in 2020 with EUR 31 million (FJD 74,5 million), is funded by the European Union (EU), Agence française de développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The Kiwa Initiative has established partnerships with the Pacific Community (SPC), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Regional Office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN ORO).
The Kiwa Initiative's funding has been increased from EUR 57 million1 (FJD 137 million) to more than EUR 75 million (FJD 180 million), thanks to the additional contributions of France (EUR 14 million) and from Canada. This will allow to launch new Calls for projects.
“The €14M additional French contribution to the Kiwa Initiative through its Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Overseas Territories, on top of its previous funding of €26M, illustrates the commitment of France towards climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation. This top-up is in line with our Indopacific strategy in Oceania where we encourage the regional cooperation with French territories via the Agence française de développement.”, declared H.E. François-Xavier Léger, Ambassador of France to Fiji.
“Aligned with Canada’s global commitment to address the climate challenge, Canada is pleased to renew and top up its assistance to the Pacific Island Countries as they work towards mitigating the impacts of climate change while also helping to increase the region’s resilience. Canada joins hands with our Kiwa partners to meet the Pacific Islands’ need for continued financial assistance for nature-based solutions. The additional funding will further strengthen the Kiwa Initiative’s capacity to address climate change and biodiversity challenges at a greater scale through nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.” - Joanne Lemay, High Commissioner, High Commission of Canada in New Zealand
- Selection of local projects in four Pacific Island Countries and a new call for local projects to be launched in 2023
The IUCN Oceania Regional Office (IUCN-ORO) manages the funds dedicated to very small to medium-sized grants for local projects that benefit communities. IUCN-ORO will provide grants to four (4) new projects that assist local people in conservation and climate change adaptation efforts. A new call for local project proposals will be launched in 2023.
Those 4 new projects join the nine (9) existing grantees, which include:
- Ministry of Waterways – Fiji,
- Community Centred Conservation – Fiji,
- National Trust of Fiji - Fiji,
- Ebiil Society – Palau,
- Samoa Conservation Society - Samoa,
- Birdlife International - Solomon Islands,
- Tonga National Youth Congress - Tonga,
- Blue Ventures Conservation - Timor Leste,
- Lamacca Climate Change Association – Vanuatu.
“The local projects funded by the Kiwa Initiative are demonstrating that Nature-based Solutions across the Pacific, including the overseas French territories, are helping communities and governments to adapt to climate change impacts and understand the how leveraging nature can be simple, cost effective and bring equitable benefits to everyone.”, declared Mr. Kenneth Kassem, IUCN-ORO Strategic Partnerships Officer.
- The Kiwa POLFN project has shortlisted its learning farms
The Kiwa Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network (POLFN) was the first regional project launched by the Kiwa Initiative, led by SPC’s Land Resources Division and POETCom. The project aims to meet the climate resilience, capacity building needs of farmers, and the rehabilitation of natural biodiversity by establishing hands-on, mentored learning centres on fully operable, commercially viable organic farms in Fiji, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tonga.
Through the POLFN network, current and future farmers will have access to local learning centres that demonstrate the benefits of Nature-based Solutions through Organic / Agroecological practices including agroforestry, food forests, vermiculture, permaculture, intercropping, nutrient cycling and chemical free pest and disease management. Farmers, students and community members will have access to trainings, workshops, seminars and education programs on organic farming practices, and, most importantly, they will also have the opportunity to participate hands-on with experienced organic experts in the field.
Two farms each in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Tonga, have just been shortlisted.
“The Pacific Organic Learning Farms Network is not just about promoting agroecology and organic farming practices, but also about fostering community development and resilience. By supporting local farmers and connecting them to markets, the Organic Learning Farms project will help to create viable, circular food systems that can withstand the challenges of today and tomorrow.”, said Mr. Jim Pierce, Coordinator of POETCom.
Besides POLFN, two others projects have already been launched :
-Kiwa PEBACC+ project, led by SPREP in Fiji, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna. The objective of this project is to develop, support and institutionalize an Ecosystem-based Approach (EbA) to climate change adaptation.
- Kiwa WISH+ project, led by WCS in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. One of the main objectives of the project is to facilitate investment in Nature-based Solutions for safely managed drinking water, sanitation, and wastewater in high-risk watersheds.
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Know more: https://www.spc.int/cces/the-kiwa-initiative
