By Vilimaina Naqelevuki – PWL at SPC
“We greatly value partnerships, especially our partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) and we look forward to strengthening this further as we’re looking to implement a number of activities and one of those is to promote gender equality within the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) region.”
Ilan Kiloe, Programme Manager for Political Governance and Security Affairs for the MSG Secretariat shared this comment during the Vanuatu Information and Concept Note Writeshop organised by the Pacific Women Lead (PWL) at SPC programme.
For gender equality initiatives, PWL at SPC programme is offering direct funding and technical support to Pacific Island Government members, plus a separate stream of grant funding to civil society.
The Vanuatu Writeshop for grant support that took place from 6 to 8 June included information and concept note writing sessions to assist government departments to finalise proposals and concept notes
The MSG Secretariat – the administrative body of the Melanesian Spearhead Group based in Port Vila, Vanuatu – also attended the sessions as it prepares a proposal for a grant through PWL at SPC.
Ilan said their participation in these sessions was valuable as they continue to acquaint themselves with the SPC Grants Process. “We want to know how we produce a proposal that is in line with the requirements and the criteria,” he said.
Programmes Coordinator for PWL at SPC, Sala Tupou, said this is a first for the programme. It’s breaking new ground and establishing relationships to advance gender equality in their contexts through tailored direct support.
“There is value in convening face-to-face to bridge the otherwise virtual working culture, reducing time to finalise the bundle of grant management for SPC procurement.”
About Pacific Women Lead
One of the largest global commitments to gender equality, Pacific Women Lead aims to promote women’s leadership, realise women’s rights, and increase the effectiveness of regional gender equality efforts.
The Pacific Women Lead (PWL) at the Pacific Community (SPC) programme, termed PWL at SPC, has more than AUD 55 million dedicated to its work under the Australian Government’s AUD 170 million Pacific Women Lead portfolio. This partnership with the Australian Government commits SPC to deliver the PWL programme, as the cornerstone for the portfolio.
