Launch of Kiwa “Women’s Work” climate resilience project

The European Union (EU) formally launched the highly anticipated Kiwa "Women's Work" project in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), following a state inception workshop attended by local leaders and partners. The Kiwa Initiative, a regional alliance of five donors (France, the EU, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia), is providing nearly €5 million in funding to this project, which spans three Micronesian countries—the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of Palau (ROP), and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI)—targeting 20 rural communities on 12 islands.

The Ambassador of the European Union to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, closed the workshop, underscoring the vital importance of the women-led approach. She emphasized that the project goes beyond restoration; it formally recognizes and leverages the matrilineal traditions of Micronesia, where women are the traditional keepers of nearshore habitats that include vital food-producing habitats.

Pohnpei Women’s group lead nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation

The implementation on the ground in Pohnpei State will be led by the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP) and other local partners, working directly with local women's groups across the state to deliver integrated, nature-based climate solutions.

These efforts target primary habitat types crucial to local food security and resilience: mangrove forests, coastal agroforests, and nearshore coral reefs. The core focus is on strengthening natural defenses against climate change impacts. This involves restoring protective mangrove barriers and enhancing the sustainable management of nearshore invertebrates and fish resources for improved food security and coastal protection. Furthermore, the project implements "Ridge-to-Reef" strategies, utilizing agroforestry expansion and riparian area restoration to stabilize slopes, control soil erosion, and significantly reduce damaging sedimentation runoff onto the vulnerable reef systems of Pohnpei's main island and outer atolls.

Empowering a network of women climate leaders

The "Women's Work" project, managed regionally by the Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), is built around more than just habitat restoration. It aims to empower a network of women leaders across Micronesia.

The initiative will capture the traditional ecological knowledge of these women and formalize it into durable reports and academic course content, in partnership with local community colleges. This effort ensures that women’s voices are amplified in national decision-making forums, leading to more equitable and resilient investments in climate action for generations to come