Pacific governments are rolling out community grants through the Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific climate finance mechanism designed to fund local disaster protection without adding to national debt.
Governments established the facility through the Pacific Islands Forum. It pools capital for grant-based support, while fundraising continues for its long-term fund.
However, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) analysis found that climate funding reaching the region remains fragmented and short-term. It also found that funding poorly matches the scale of countries’ needs.
In Fiji, authorities are combining disaster preparedness with renewable energy on Vio Island. The Governance for Resilient Development in the Pacific project upgraded a community hall to Category 5 cyclone standards.
Meanwhile, the Fiji Rural Electrification Fund is expanding the island’s solar mini-grid using panels on the building’s roof.
The hall serves everyday community needs and provides an evacuation centre during cyclones. Other remote Fijian communities are adopting the model.
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In Vanuatu, three small hydroelectric stations on Pentecost Island provide renewable power through 706 connections serving homes, schools, health facilities and businesses. Japan supported the installations.
A separate initiative is developing resilient design standards and testing measures such as catchment protection and planting vegetation to control erosion.
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Pacific governments are also developing biodiversity financing plans to support marine conservation and coastal livelihoods.
Alongside these programmes, young Pacific Islanders are preparing shared priorities through regional dialogues. Their proposals will inform a youth communiqué for the preparatory climate meeting in Fiji and COP31 negotiations in Turkey.
