UNDP and EU award grants to community-based organizations combating climate change, deforestation and food insecurity in Enga Province

As part of their ‘Strengthening Integrated Sustainable Land Management’ project in Enga Province, UNDP and the European Union awarded small grants to 20 new community-based organizations working on sustainable land management, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and biodiversity conservation in the province this week.

January 18, 2024

The handover of the grants was done during a ceremony held in Wabag, Enga Province

UNDP Papua New Guinea

The total value of the grants amounts to over US$420,000 (approximately 1.6 million PGK) and they will be used by the recipients to conduct initiatives to combat deforestation, improve food and nutrition security, and adapt to the impacts of climate change across six districts in Enga Province.

The handover of all grants was officially completed during a workshop held at the Takeanda Museum in Wabag, Enga Province on 17 January 2024. The Provincial Administrator, Mr. Sandis Tsak; the Provincial Director of Commerce, Culture and Tourism, Ms. Margaret Potane; and the Provincial Director of Agriculture and Livestock, Mr. Ronnie Tirone, participated in the workshop alongside project staff and representatives of the community-based organizations.

The Director of Agriculture and Livestock of Enga Province, Mr. Ronnie Tirone, during his remarks.

UNDP Papua New Guinea

In addition to receiving the grants, the participants received guidance on monitoring and reporting the results of their initiatives, as well as effectively implementing their different project activities.

“For decades, the accelerating effects of climate change coupled with unsustainable land management practices have led to devastating results for communities that depend on Papua New Guinea’s biodiversity for their daily subsistence. By handing out these small grants, UNDP and the EU want to ensure that the communities most affected by these phenomena are able lead the charge towards a more sustainable future, where the development of Papua New Guinea does not happen at the expense of its ecosystems,” UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth, stated after the workshop.

The Provincial Administrator of Enga Province, Mr. Sandis Tsak (middle), participated in the workshop.

“The European Union is proud to support this project, which will help the provincial authorities in adapting to the challenges posed by climate change and increase public awareness of the importance of preserving the rich biodiversity of Enga Province. The low value grants that are made available by the project will play an instrumental role in mobilizing local communities to take action to protect their environment and enhance communal welfare in a sustainable manner," added the European Union Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, H.E. Jacques Fradin.

This marked the second time that the ‘Strengthening Integrated Sustainable Land Management’ project has supported community-based organizations in Enga Province in the form of small grants. In 2023, 10 community-based organizations received 90,000 PGK grants from the project to conduct initiatives related to strengthening coffee production and supply, expanding fisheries and replanting forests.