Graduates sharing key learnings from the program.
Funafuti, June 12th 2023: Fifteen Tuvalu scholarship recipients of the University of the South Pacific’s (USP) Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) project in May, became the first batch to graduate with a micro-qualification in Establishing and Operating a Small Seafood Business for their island nation.
Funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden, this small-scale seafood business course is targeted at small-scale seafood businesses, entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, market vendors, fishers, and seafood sellers.
USP PEUMP’s Course Developer and Trainer, Shirleen Bala said, “The holder of this qualification will gain knowledge and skills on the fundamentals of establishing and operating a small business, marketing for small business, developing customer driven marketing strategies, basic bookkeeping, and writing a business plan”.
“Graduates of this micro-qualification will have some of the key skills that are required to work in small-scale seafood businesses, in small and medium enterprises, or as entrepreneurs, market or roadside vendors and seafood sellers”, said Lavenie Tawake, Team Leader of the USP PEUMP project. “This program will assist Tuvaluans already in business, to operate successfully and also help potential entrepreneurs planning to establish a new business”.
Simona Kilei, a participant of this training said, “This training has taught me how to create a business plan and its importance. It also taught me that to gain customers, we need to be creative when marketing our businesses.”
This training may be followed by other upskilling programs such as seafood safety and quality, value chain analysis, upscaling community-based management, financial literacy and leadership trainings.
USP is one of four key implementing partners of the EUR 45million PEUMP Programme, which promotes sustainable management and sound ocean governance for food security and economic growth while addressing climate change resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.
It follows a comprehensive approach, integrating issues related to ocean fisheries, coastal fisheries, community development, marine conservation and capacity building under one single regional action. The PEUMP programme is housed within the Institute of Marine Resources within the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS).
About us
The Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme addresses some of the most serious challenges faced by Pacific countries. Among these are the increasing depletion of coastal fisheries resources; the threats to marine biodiversity, including negative impacts of climate change and disasters; the uneven contribution of oceanic fisheries to national economic development; the need for improved education and training; and the need to mainstream a rights-based approach and to promote greater recognition of gender issues to ensure inclusiveness and positive changes for Pacific island people. The seven-year PEUMP programme is funded by the European Union (EUR 35 million) and the government of Sweden (EUR 10 million). It is implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC), the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the University of the South Pacific (USP) in close collaboration with Non-Government Organisations and the national authorities.
