Apia, Samoa – At the end of the two-day planning workshop for the Vaisigano Catchment Project (VCP) on Thursday this week, the Ministry of Finance emphasized the importance of adaptive management in keeping progress on track.

The Ministry is the executing agency for the project on behalf of the Government of Samoa, which co-finances the USD 65.7 million project along with a grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the accredited entity for the GCF in Samoa.

The biannual workshop brought together 13 Government implementing agencies and collaborating partners and organisations that are involved in the implementation of the project, along with the UNDP and the Project Management Unit based at the Ministry of Finance.

“The Vaisigano Catchment Project is a priority project of our Government, and this workshop helps to ensure that it is effectively and properly planned, managed and monitored, and that indicators and targets are achieved,” said the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance, Leiataua Henry Ah Ching.

“More importantly, this will ensure that the benefits and outcomes the VCP will provide for the safety of the people that live within the 31 villages of the Vaisigano River Catchment Area, as well as the wider Samoa population that will be using the investments funded under the GCF-VCP, will be achieved.”

The workshop provided a platform for sharing of lessons learned and experiences in the implementation of the 2021 annual work plan, and mapping out the way forward for the multi-year work plan and budget for the remaining two years of the project. The project began in 2017 and is set for completion in 2023.

“We all know well from the experience of the past one and a half years, that even the best planning will not ward off unexpected circumstances, but anticipating different scenarios that may arise and staying flexible in responding to challenges in a coordinated and intentional way will keep us on track. In this regard, our discussions at this work planning and budgeting workshop are critical in reexamining and adapting the plans that we jointly formulated at the beginning of this year and setting the tone for the months ahead,” said UNDP Officer-in-Charge, Verena Linneweber.

In the GCF-VCP, joint planning, implementation and monitoring are the norm, and regular collaborative reflection, reviews and knowledge sharing have significantly strengthened partnerships and coordination mechanisms in the project.

The outcome of the workshop contributes to the consolidation of the future direction and strategy of the VCP through the:

1. Identification and validation of adjustments to the 2021 Annual Work Plan and Budget approved by GCF-VCP Board on 16th December 2020;
2. Identification and noting of adaptive management arrangements to improve delivery and implementation towards meeting financial targets, through working collaboratively together in innovative ways;
3. Continuous and timely dialogue and follow up by all the relevant partners including the implementing agencies, UNDP, the Ministry of Finance and the PMU to ensure timely addressing of implementation issues and challenges faced;
4. Constant monitoring and follow up of contract deliverables to fast-track disbursements by Implementing Agencies; and
5. V. Improved communications, coordination and better understanding of the GCF/UNDP guidelines and requirements for improved VCP performance overall.

-ENDS-

For media queries, please contact:
Laufaleaina Lesa, UNDP Multi Country Office, Samoa|Tel. +685 23670|E: laufaleaina.lesa@undp.org www.ws.undp.org @UNDP in Samoa, Cook Islands, Tokelau & Niue @undpsamoa
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Michilene Time, GCF VCP PMU, Ministry of Finance, Central Bank Building, Samoa|Tel. +685 26013|E: michilene.time@vcp.gov.ws