USAID funded SCALE-NRM awards 10 grants this month

24 November – AUKI, SOLOMON ISLANDS – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Strengthening Competitiveness Agriculture and Livelihoods (SCALE) has approved and award grants to five (5) more local organisations and small-scale farmer groups in Malaita province making it 10 to be issued this month. 

SCALE-Natural Resource Management, a component under the wider SCALE program, initiated the Forest and Development Fund (FDF) as one of its activities under which, grants are provided to organizations for activities that support USAID SCALE’s objectives of protecting forest, enhancing livelihoods, and building capacity of local organizations.

The five organisations that signed their grant contract today in Auki include Hafa Development Foundation, ST Cocoa Exporter, Tefila Marketing and Enterprise Development, Apunepara Ha’amwaura Natural Resource Association and Ora Conservation Association.

Early this month, SCALE-NRM signed grant agreements with Alisuri Sustainable Livelihoods Association, Fiu Agro Forestry, Fauabu Natural Resource Governance Initiative, Aarahau Tribe Conservation Project and Waihau Conservation Foundation.

Forest Development Fund (FDF) Grants is aimed at catalyzing community and private sector-led engagement in improving the economic benefits to households derived from sustainable natural source management and biodiversity conservation efforts.

SCALE-NRM launched the first round of the FDF in March 2022, and has since provided grants to over 20 Community Based Organisations in Malaita to support sustainable agroforestry enterprises or expansion of existing businesses. These FDF awards will provide technical and financial support to community driven reforestation efforts, establish Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes, and expand alternative livelihood opportunities to logging.  

Speaking during today’s signing ceremony, SCALE-NRM Chief of Party Dr Morgan Wairiu expressed satisfaction with the continuous support rendered and impacts made so far.

“Tribal community organisations play a significant role in the social and economic aspects at the community level. They unite people to advance shared goals and interests”, Dr Wairiu stated.

USAID’s SCALE is a comprehensive five-year project to advance economic competitiveness and inclusiveness with specific emphasis on the development of the agribusiness sector and improved management of the forestry sector. In line with the Solomon Islands’ National Development Strategy 2016-2035, USAID SCALE initiative targets three sub-objectives: (a) improve the enabling environment for increased trade and investment; (b) promote the expansion and further development of the agribusiness sector; and (c) improve natural resources governance. USAID will integrate technical assistance and investment financing for small-scale infrastructure to support the growth of the agribusiness sector. USAID SCALE initiative is a national five-year, $25 million (SBD $205.5m) investment in economic growth and trade in the Solomon Islands with an initial focus on Malaita Province- Press Release-