Grant Writing Training a Success in Solomon Islands, USP
25 April 2022
The University of the South Pacific, in collaboration with the Pacific Climate Change Collaboration Influencing and Learning (PACCCIL) Project and the Australia Pacific Climate Alumni Network (APCAN), held a two-day training on project proposal and grant writing from the 21st to the 22nd of April 2022 in Honiara, Solomon Islands, as part of the European Union-funded Intra-ACP GCCA+ Pacific Adaptation to Climate Change and Resilience Building (PACRES) program.
The grant writing training aims to improve community skills, including capacity building for the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN) and other local stakeholders in proposal development in order to secure funding to support community resilience and sustainable development priorities.
During his opening remarks, Mr. Gareth Quity, Oxfam Project Manager Kotui Program, stated: “I want to acknowledge the USP PACRES Project in partnership with Oxfam PACCCIL Project and APCAN for providing the resources for this Grant Writing Training Workshop for the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN) and other stakeholders.”
Mr. Quity added, “This training is very important, as it helps to enhance and empower the SICAN community-based organizations and other stakeholders the vital knowledge of writing and developing grant proposal to access climate and other environmental related fundings and small grants. This two-day training saw the participants also put into practice mock proposals that they can utilize to apply for future funding.”
Reflecting on the training, Mr Lionel Dau, Aid officer for the Anglican Church of Melanesia, said “The Anglican Church of Melanesia has been a member of the Solomon Islands Climate Action Network (SICAN) since its inception in the Solomon Islands., My primary responsibility is to communicate with donor partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, churches, faith-based organizations, and communities about funded programs and projects. I learned some new skills and knowledge about proposal writing and how to seek funding opportunities as a result of my participation and engagement in the two-day grant training”.
“As a Community Development and Social Worker, the training is important because it provides opportunities to learn about different donor criteria and focus areas,” Mr. Dau added. Furthermore, the training allows for improved understanding in development and professional relationships with other partners as well as projects.”
Ms. Gaylyn Puairana, APCAN’s National Coordinator for the Solomon Islands, said, “Now that there are numerous grants or funds available in the areas of Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (CCDRM), Food Security, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and energy in the Solomon Islands, NGOs or Community Based Organizations (CBOs) must have proposal writing skills in order to continue serving their communities through grant funding. In some ways, NGOs and CBOS will be able to implement and sustain themselves.”
The two-day training drew a total of 39 participants: 19 women and 13 men, including 3 people with disabilities and a sign language interpreter.
The USP component of the EU funded Intra-ACP GCCA+ PACRES programme is implemented in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS).