Apia, Samoa – Five new community projects are now being implemented thanks to the latest round of funding under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Small Grants Programme (SGP). Today, it handed out more than US $100,000 worth of grants to four new community projects in Upolu and one in Savaii.  

The successful grantees are:

1)    Puipaa community – conservation of mangroves and wetlands,

2)    Women’s Committee of Vailavea, Samatau – preservation of fresh water source,

3)    Congregational Christian Church at Vini Fou – conservation of natural spring and waterways,

4)    Women’s Committee of Vaigaga – waste management, and conservation of mangroves and wetlands,

5)    Council of Chiefs, Auala, Savaii – establishment of a marine reserve for the village to help restore abundance of marine life to the protected seascapes of Auala.

“I acknowledge the great assistance the SGP has provided over the years for our local communities. This has helped a lot to improve the livelihoods of communities all over the country. From our side, we pledge to commit ourselves to implementing our projects well and play our roles in mitigating the effects of climate change,” said Ulu Bismarck Crawley of the Puipaa community project.

SGP is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP. It has been supporting civil society organizations and community-based organizations in Samoa and around the world to take action to address global environment and sustainable development challenges.

“By providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods, SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives,” said Jorn Sorensen, UNDP Resident Representative.

SGP works in close consultation with local communities. It has spent approximately US $5.1 million in more than 260 projects since its establishment in 2003 in Samoa; a significant contribution to the local economy. Operational Phase 6 saw over US$ 1.8 million being distributed across 81 projects, many of which have already been successfully completed, providing income-generating opportunities, alternative sustainable livelihoods, a healthier ecosystem, and community resilience. The current Operational Phase 7 sees SGP disbursing US $500,000 to help build on the stronger foundations that have been created thus far, promoting and supporting innovative, inclusive and scalable initiatives, and fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships at the local level to tackle global environmental issues in priority landscapes and seascapes. This is critical as we continue to advance on the 2030 Agenda and the Global Goals.

“I acknowledge the strong partnership between the Government of Samoa and SGP through the substantive support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries,” said Nynette Sass, Chair for SGP’s National Steering Committee.

SGP Samoa has also managed to secure a top-up grant of US $200,000 for the SGP Plastics Innovation Programme, which aims to boost ambitious solutions to plastic pollution.  Samoa was successfully shortlisted from 131 countries. This Plastics Innovation Programme will be rolled out in early 2022. In addition, Samoa has been chosen to implement an Apiculture Strategic Project for a minimum of US $50,000 within an international project involving six countries from the Caribbean and only Samoa from the Pacific. This multi-country project will help Samoa identify and establish a sustainable apiculture or beekeeping industry.

-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