An endorsement meeting finalising the micro-qualification (MQ) in Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), brought together participants and NbS experts from around the Pacific. The “Pacific Community's (SPC) Educational Quality and Assessment Programme & the Kiwa Initiative Stakeholder Endorsement” meeting of NbS Micro-Qualification’ took place from 25 to 26 July in Suva, Fiji. It was facilitated by Industry Advisory Committee Members and Staff of SPC.
The micro-qualification on NbS, tailored specifically for Pacific practitioners, is the outcome of a series of collaborative efforts by SPC. Over the past few months, professionals from NbS sectors and training institutions across the region have worked with SPC to develop this new micro-qualification. The process began in March 2024, with a series of meetings bringing together experts and stakeholders to shape a curriculum that addresses the unique needs and challenges of the Pacific.
This micro-qualification development is a key activity under the Kiwa Initiative, a multi-donor programme dedicated to bolstering the climate change resilience of Pacific Island ecosystems, communities and economies through NbS. The Kiwa Initiative focuses on the protection, sustainable management and restoration of biodiversity, aiming to provide easier access to funding for climate change adaptation and NbS projects for local and national authorities, civil society and regional organisations in Pacific Island countries and territories, including the three French overseas territories.
Mr Nilesh Kumar of the University of the South Pacific said, “The micro-qualification on NbS is a great qualification for the Pacific, and it’s good to have all the stakeholders come together to deliberate so that once the qualification is developed, when it is delivered, it really serves the purpose. We desperately need qualifications like this to address the climate change adaptation issues. It’s a good qualification and particularly good for all stakeholders to be together under one roof to look at it and develop it.”
As part of the regional technical assistance component of the Kiwa Initiative, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and SPC are collaborating to deliver a joint capacity-building programme. This programme aims to help Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) upscale the implementation of high-quality Nature-Based Solutions for climate change adaptation. It builds on the recommendations from the Regional Capacity Needs Assessment and its objectives are to increase awareness of NbS among decision-makers and communities and enhance the capacities of managers and practitioners in developing, implementing, and monitoring NbS projects.
This initiative underscores the critical role of education and training in equipping Pacific communities with the knowledge and skills needed to address climate change challenges effectively. Through the collaborative efforts of the Kiwa Initiative, SPREP and SPC, the Pacific region is taking significant strides toward a resilient and sustainable future.
“Nature-based solutions is a cross-cutting issue for building resilience in the Pacific. If you look at it in the context of nature-based solutions is really enhancing the natural environment using natural methods. The traditional infrastructures for adaptation may be costly, so nature-based solutions will provide something that is more relevant but also affordable, fit-for-purpose, for our countries,” said Ms Ofa Kaisami, Manager of the Pacific Climate Change Centre (PCCC) hosted by SPREP.
Facilitating the endorsement meeting was Mr Apenisa Tamani, Professional Officer Qualifications Development at the Pacific Community (SPC), who emphasised how the micro qualification will address existing skills gap in the Pacific. “The micro qualification will help address a particular skills gap that’s been identified through a Training Needs and Gaps Analysis initially conducted across few Pacific Island countries. The NbS micro qualification was developed through various consultations and meetings with both Industry experts and training providers involved in NbS. This is to ensure that what’s covered is current and relevant to the needs of the industry and workforce.”
The Kiwa Initiative is managed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and generously funded by the European Union, France, Global Affairs Canada, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the Kiwa Initiative represents a significant investment in the future of the Pacific.
For more information, please visit the Kiwa Initiative website or contact our team below.
Contacts
Mathilde Kraft, SPREP Project Development Coordinator - Kiwa Initiative | [email protected]
Rebecca Stirnemann, SPC Project Development Coordinator - Kiwa Initiative | [email protected]
Angelica Salele, CCFP Communications Officer | [email protected]
