BY JOY OFASIA
Greenergy Pacific and ChildFund New Zealand have launched a five-year community development programme across Temotu Province, focusing on strengthening climate resilience, improving access to safe water and food, and creating greater livelihood and economic opportunities for women and young people.
Speaking to Greenergy Pacific founder and CEO Sharon Inone, who is from Temotu, said the Negotiated Partnership 2 (NP2) is a five-year programme funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (NZ MFAT) and implemented by Greenergy Pacific in partnership with ChildFund New Zealand.
She said NP2 is working with five communities across Temotu and Luesalo RTC, including Noipe, Nemba, Venga, Neo and Napir, while also supporting an existing Greenergy Pacific project in Napir.
The programme focuses on climate resilience, safe water, food and agricultural systems, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for women and young people.
The five-year timeframe, she said, is important because meaningful development takes time. Five years allows us to build trust, strengthen local capacity, test solutions, learn what works and make adjustments.
“Most importantly, it gives the community time to take ownership of the changes so they can continue beyond the project,” she said.
Inone said the programme has begun with a baseline assessment aimed at understanding the current situation in participating communities, including livelihoods, water access, food production, income, markets and opportunities for women and young people.
“The biggest lesson is that communities already have knowledge and ideas. Our role is to listen and work with them to turn those priorities into practical solutions,” Inone said.
The baseline consultations identified water, food production, livelihoods, income-generating opportunities, market access and opportunities for women and young people as some of the key priorities raised by communities.
Inone said these challenges are interconnected, particularly in remote island communities, requiring an integrated approach to development.
Under the programme, communities will be involved in identifying priorities, shaping activities, monitoring progress and providing feedback on what is working and what needs to change. Greenergy Pacific will also work closely with the Temotu Provincial Government.
Women and young people are expected to play an active role in consultations, training, livelihood activities and community planning.
Inone also highlighted the importance of traditional leaders, churches and community organisations, saying their understanding of local culture, relationships and community needs will be critical to ensuring the programme is locally appropriate and sustainable.
The long-term goal is to see households with improved access to safe water, stronger food production, more diverse sources of income and better access to markets.
Inone said the programme also aims to increase economic opportunities and participation for women and young people while strengthening the overall resilience of families and communities.
“For us, building Climate Smart Villages is not just about infrastructure. It is about giving people the knowledge, opportunities and voice to shape the future of their own communities,” she said.
