USAID and Pacific Community (SPC) Launch PROJECT Governance
On September 28, The United States of America, through United States Agency for International Development (USAID), partnered with the Pacific Community (SPC) to launch a new activity called “Promoting Just, Engaged, Civic-minded and Transparent (PROJECT) Governance.”
Over five years, PROJECT Governance aims to foster consensus and inclusion in local communities and build understanding and inspire participation in the democratic process.
The United States Government is committing $19.8 million (USD) to empower the voice of women, youth, and other marginalized voices in 12 Pacific Island Countries (PICs): The Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Nauru, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Elise Tokumasu de Silva, Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim, said “PROJECT Governance is a great way to support our partners in the Pacific by encouraging open and democratic structures that will provide a voice to all citizens.”
PROJECT Governance will provide small grants to civil society organizations in the 12 participating countries to support local initiatives that provide technical assistance on government transparency, accountability, and corruption prevention. It will also support organizations that promote human rights and enhance the role of media in fostering transparency and accountability.
SPC hosted the launch event in the Pacific Community and was attended by His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, Stuart Minchin, Director General, SPC, Sanaka Samara Sinha, Regional Representative of United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Sione Tekiteki, Director, Governance and Engagement, Pacific Islands Forum and Representatives and dignitaries of the Pacific Island Countries and Embassies. The Honorable Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa provided recorded remarks.
Sources: Press Release and Solomon Times Online.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
