Taveuni, Fiji – In a continued effort to support climate resilience and sustainable development in local communities, the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), through the Pacific Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC+) project, completed its third round of the ‘Writeshop’ in Taveuni. The event was done in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs through the Cakaudrove Provincial Office.
Held in Taveuni in the Cakaudrove District from the 2-3 April 2025, the final two-day Writeshop brought together 16 representatives from five communities, including village headmen, women and youth representatives, and members of landowning units. This workshop followed the previous two sessions conducted in November 2024 in the districts of Vuna and Wainikeli with 82 participants from eight villages, serving as both a refresher and a deepening of the proposal development skills taught earlier.
Ms. Akisi Bolabola, National Coordinator for UNDP’s GEF Small Grants said, “With the increasing need for community-led initiatives to protect natural resources and strengthen livelihoods, one of the primary goals of the Writeshop was to enhance local capacity to access sustainable financing through donor-funded grants such as those offered by our Small Grants Programme.”
Participants were introduced to the essential building blocks of successful project proposals, from identifying local environmental and social challenges, developing practical solutions, drafting compelling concept notes, to setting realistic budgets and identifying potential partners.
“By empowering communities with these tools, the Writeshop aimed to ensure that Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to climate change efforts is not only implemented effectively but are also sustainable in the long term through continuous access to funding,” said Ms. Bolabola.
For many of the participants, the Writeshop marked a turning point in their understanding of how to access and apply for funding to address the challenges facing their communities.
Mr. Lusio Siganisucu from Welagi Village shared his key takeaways saying, “One thing I learned is how to develop a concept for funding that meets the donor’s requirements. I also learned how to identify the root causes of the issues we face in our village and propose solutions in the concept that protect our natural resources and improve our livelihoods.”
Mr. Siganisucu expressed gratitude, highlighting how the Writeshop filled a knowledge gap that often prevents communities from accessing much-needed support. “Many times, we miss out on grants because we don’t know how to write proposals. I plan to take back what I’ve learned to the mataqali during the Bose Vakakoro and to the youth so we can prepare better for the future,” he added.
Similarly, Ms. Sisilia Qalovi from Somosomo Village emphasised the importance of knowledge sharing saying, “I came because I wanted to learn how to write a concept to access Small Grants. The Writeshop was very useful. I will share what I’ve learned so that more people in my village can write their proposals and access grants too.”
For Melania Bale of Tavuki Village, the workshop offered both inspiration and practical knowledge. She said, “I wanted to learn more about protecting our natural resources, and I’m glad we were also taught how to write concepts and proposals. I will share what I’ve learned – especially how to plan a project, set objectives, prepare a budget, and identify partners – with others in my village.”
The Writeshop continues to be a vital tool in equipping grassroots communities with the confidence and skills necessary to advocate for their development.
Ms. Loraini Sivo, PEBACC+ Project Manager said, “As the PEBACC+ project and its partners move forward with implementing EbA efforts in Taveuni, workshops like this not only build technical skills but also foster a sense of ownership and empowerment among local people.”
She added, “Communities currently involved in the implementation of PEBACC+ interventions will take advantage of this opportunity to secure additional funding after the project period. This will allow them to build on their successes, replicate the lessons learned from the existing interventions, and ensure long-term sustainability.”
PEBACC+ is a €5.8 million 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). This four-year project seeks to strengthen the resilience of ecosystems, economies, and communities to the impacts of climate change in Fiji, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The project will develop, sustain, and institutionalize Ecosystem-based Adaptation to climate change in these five countries and territories.
For more information, please contact: Setaita Tavanabola, Communications Officer, PEBACC+ Project, SPREP; tel: +679 9468748; email: setaitat@sprep.org.