Gov’t and Malaita sign $5m grant agreement for Youth and Children Resource Centre

A $5 Million Grant Agreement to construct Malaita Province’s first ever Youth and Children Resource Centre was signed between the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs and the Malaita Provincial Government on Monday in Auki.

Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs (MWYCFA), Dr Cedrick Alependava and Malaita Premier Hon. Daniel Suidani signed the grant agreement.

Dr Alependava said the signing of the grant agreement demonstrates the national government commitment to address youth development and empowerment in the country.

He stressed that more than 70% of the Solomon Islands’ youth and children belong to Malaita Province mostly in the rural areas and their place of living has significant implication on lives of young people therefore rural youth are marginalized on the ground of accessibility to education, employment, resources and participation.

For this reason, the National Government through the MWYCFA will be giving $5 million grant agreement to Malaita Province for the Youth and Children Center.

Therefore, partnership will continue to be key in the way youth development is approached and MWYCFA remains committed to work closely with provincial governments to jointly address the challenges facing youths.

“My Ministry aims to deliver this Youth and Children Center project in close collaboration with the Malaita Provincial Government, it is our priority to strengthen policy coherence and stronger cooperation between ministries and the province, so that we can collectively direct our attention to the needs and aspirations of the youths of Malaita Province and Solomon Islands,” said Alependava.

In addition to that, Alependava also states that “It is our priority to implement these infrastructure developments that will accommodate the activities and needs of our young people and children in the province”.

The Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs is now in the process to bid for $5 million for funding support in the 2023 government development budget for the implementation of infrastructure development that will accommodate the activities and needs of our young people and children in Malaita province.

This initiative includes the construction of youth and children resources center in all provinces as well as provision of programmes and resources that will enhance the capacity of young people to venture into worthwhile socioeconomic activities.

This is in line with the DCGA social policy redirection to;

1. support implementation of women, youth and children’s policies targeting socio-economic activities in urban and rural communities and
2. ii) Strengthen and increase support for women and youth empowerment programs.

Suidani acknowledged the national government through the Ministry of Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs for the $5 million grant agreement that was signed.

Premier Suidani assured the Ministry that his MARA government had identified a land and agreed for the Youth and Children Center to be built in Kwaibala, Auki Township.

In addition, Suidani stated that he ensure that his government is committed with the Ministry to provide the needed space and resources to empower young people of Malaita Province to be able to contribute to their society and the national development.

Temotu Province had received $3Million funding from the MWYCFA for the construction of their youth and children resource center.