15 December 2025, Guadalcanal Province — The Barana Community Nature and Heritage Park recently celebrated the official handover of essential information centre furniture and women’s livelihood and market-access equipment.
The handover ceremony brought together government leaders, elders, youth, and families from across the Barana Community Nature and Heritage Park in Solomon Islands. But it was the women, many of them mothers, farmers, artisans, and entrepreneurs, who stood at the heart of the celebration.
The official handover was supported by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) project and funded by the Kiwa Initiative and the French Facility for Global Environment.
Women’s livelihood and market-access equipment
Ms. Alice Buko, a Barana mother whose calm confidence reflects years of guiding community women, says the new equipment is a blessing that will reach nearly every household.
“The equipment will benefit about 80 women across our seven zones,” Alice explained, her hands resting on a newly delivered market table. “Our women were trained in bookkeeping, dyeing, cake-making, and making lolo buns. Many have already started selling what they make. These tools will help them grow their small businesses and contribute to their household incomes.”
She speaks with the certainty of someone who has watched quiet women find their voices and their incomes. “I’m confident these tools will help the women expand their markets. We already have the skills; now we have what we need to take the next step.”
Speaking at the event, Mr. Malachi Bate’e of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECCDMM) expressed appreciation for the strong collaboration between government agencies, SPREP, and the Barana community.
“We thank SPREP through the PEBACC+ project for the equipment, and we acknowledge the women of Barana for their commitment. This partnership reflects our shared goal of strengthening community resilience.”
Representing the Guadalcanal Provincial Government, Mr. Ben Salepo, Guadalcanal Provincial Government Environment Officer, emphasized that the initiative supports key provincial and national development priorities, including women’s economic empowerment, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental conservation.
“Today, we are handing over more than equipment; we are handing over opportunity, skills development, and empowerment. When women are given the tools to lead, the entire community benefits.”
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Barana Information Centre — A Place of Learning and Pride
The Information Centre, soon to be furnished with the new tables and chairs, and landscaped by Barana’s women, will continue to serve as a hub for environmental education, tourism activities, and community meetings. It is already a gathering point for training sessions in small business management, financial literacy, and livelihood skills.
SPREP Director for Biodiversity Conservation and Fiji Office, Mr. Amena Yauvoli, reminded the community of the centre’s deeper purpose. “The Information Centre is important because of its role in environmental awareness and education, community tourism, cultural and natural heritage promotion, and strengthening community-based management of the park. The furniture/equipment will help improve services and community engagement.”
He reaffirmed SPREP’s commitment to continued partnership and support and encouraged the community to maintain the equipment.
Community leaders and government representatives highlighted Barana’s importance both as part of the Mataniko headwaters that sustain Honiara, and as a place rich with ecological and WWII heritage.
The Ministry of Forestry highlighted the importance of the support to ongoing restoration efforts within the Barana Community Nature and Heritage Park. “Many in Barana depend on the forest for their livelihood. This equipment will assist the community in maintaining and managing the park,” said Mr. Paul Hatamane.
Mr. Bate’e reaffirmed the Ministry of Environment’s continued and unwavering commitment, stressing that the Ministry remains fully committed to working alongside SPREP and the community to strengthen environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
As the ceremony ended, Barana Community Chairman summed up the community’s feelings in a single heartfelt statement: “This handover has brought a big smile to the people of Barana. We use this centre for training, and now we have furniture for our next one. Thank you.”
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The official handover took place on 24 November 2025 as the PEBACC+ project continues to support Barana through reforestation across 9 hectares, with 50% of planting completed. The project is also supporting silviculture training for 12 landowning unit representatives, financial literacy and livelihood training for women, market access assessments and partnership facilitation, refurbishment and landscaping of the community information centre, and invasive species management in restoration sites. These activities aim to strengthen Barana’s environmental stewardship, climate resilience, and economic opportunities.
PEBACC+ is a regional project implemented by SPREP and funded by the Kiwa Initiative through its donors, the European Union, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), with co-financing from French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The project aims to develop, sustain, and institutionalize EbA approaches in Fiji, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu. These efforts will strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, local economies, and communities against the impacts of climate change.
For more information, please contact: Setaita Tavanabola, Communications Officer, PEBACC+ Project, SPREP; email: [email protected] or visit www.sprep.org/pebacc-plus