Malaita, Solomon Islands (30 October, 2024) – In October, the University of the South Pacific (USP) component of the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership (PEUMP) Programme, funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden, delivered two community-based financial literacy training sessions in three Malaita communities: Arakao, Ta’arautona, and Uhu. The trainings titled MoneyMinded Financial Literacy and MoneyMinded Business Basics, attracted around 120 community members, who successfully completed the programs.
Conducted in collaboration with ANZ Bank, this initiative is part of the Money Minded Financial Literacy Program, specifically adapted for fishing communities in the Solomon Islands. The goal is to empower coastal fishers by providing financial knowledge and practical skills to better manage earnings from their coastal harvests.
Martin Jasper, from the Malaita Provincial Fisheries Office in Auki and a participant in the training, emphasized its alignment with the Solomon Islands Community-Based Coastal and Marine Management Strategy (2021–2025). He remarked, “This financial literacy program aligns well with our vision to ensure healthy, resilient marine and coastal resources, sustainably managed to support the socio-economic needs and food security of all Solomon Islanders. Bringing these financial literacy trainings to fishing communities can be transformative, especially for fishers who might otherwise lack access to such resources.”
To increase accessibility, the trainings were conducted in local pidgin English, making the material more relatable and understandable for the community members.
Regina Marataha, a primary school teacher from Maniaha Village who attended the training, reflected, “I have learned so much from this program. Key lessons for me include the importance of business registration, the idea that saving can start small, even with modest earnings, how to create a business plan, and the need to keep personal and business finances separate.”
Exodus Aherae, a pastor at Ta’arautona Community Church, shared similar sentiments: “I find this training more practical and community-focused than previous financial programs. I plan to apply this knowledge within my family and church.”
The training outcomes emphasized skills in budgeting, distinguishing between needs and wants, managing finances between harvests, and planning for the future.
Dr Jokim Kitolelei, Lecturer and USP PEUMP Coordinator, highlighted the program’s significance, stating, “Supporting the financial wellbeing of fishing communities is essential. We are committed to investing in financial literacy programs across the Pacific to provide communities with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions and improve their livelihoods.”
This program was rolled out in Fiji, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands in collaboration with respective ANZ’s country offices.
USP is one of four key implementing partners of the EUR 45million PEUMP Program, which aims to promote 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 project is funded by the European Union and the Government of Sweden; and housed within the Institute of Marine Resources within the School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS) of USP.
