A TOTAL of $4.2million is being allocated to Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji by the Kiwa Initiative for the implementation of projects in Fiji over the next three years.
Regional project manager for Live and Learn Subesh Prasad revealed this after the launch of Kiwa’s two most recent regional projects at the Novotel Hotel in Lami this week.
“Live & Learn is happy to be part of this Kiwa Initiative and we’re looking to make an impact in our vulnerable communities who are exposed to this climate conditions,” Mr Prasad said.
Live & Learn is registered in Fiji as a charitable trust and works with communities throughout Asia and the Pacific to encourage individual and community attitudes, values and actions that are ethical and sustainable.
The Kiwa Initiative, funded by the European Union, Agence française de développement (AFD), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), works with regional partners to promote nature-based solutions for climate resilience in Pacific Island ecosystems, communities, and economies against climate change.
Its two newest projects Kiwa Empower and Kiwa Restore are being implemented through Live & Learn Environmental Education Fiji and Conservation International respectively.
Mr Prasad said apart from Fiji, the project would also be delivered through Live and Learn Tuvalu and Live and Learn Solomon Islands.
“Implementation is for three years until 2027,” he said.
“We signed the financial agreement for the initiative last week and as we speak, we are in the process of kickstarting this project in our local communities.
“Tuvalu and the Solomons will follow as soon as we’re given the official greenlight to run the projects in their local communities.”
Mr Prasad said the project would involve interventions in nature-based solutions and restoring degraded lands in local communities.
“This project will be implemented in 20 communities in Vanua Levu — 14 in the Cakaudrove province, three in Macuata and three in Bua,” he said.
“We will work on improving and stabilising their water systems, planting more trees in these communities and conducting climate smart agriculture to improve their food security.”
The amount allocated for the Kiwa projects implementation in Fiji is part of the larger €6.6million ($F15.7million) allocated by Kiwa Initiatives to boost climate adaptation programs in the Pacific.
Conservation International’s deputy director of the Pacific Islands Bridget Kennedy, from left, Consul (Development) Australian Consulate General Noumea, Caitlin Devereux, Live and Learn Fiji’s regional project manager Subesh Prasad, Picture: JOSEFA SIGAVOLAVOLA
