WaterAid Timor-Leste proudly launches Kiwa PRESERVE project as country implementing partner

As country implementing partner, WaterAid Timor-Leste today launched Kiwa PRESERVE (Pacific Resilience through Secure livelihoods, Ecosystem and Resource management, Valued culture and Equity), a regional Nature-based Solutions (NbS) project led by WaterAid Australia, in partnership with Live & Learn and Permatil Global, under the Kiwa Initiative.

Taking place in the afternoon of Friday 26 June at Novo Turismo Resort & Spa, Bidau Lecidere, Dili, the launch event formally introduced the Kiwa PRESERVE Project to national and municipal government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, and community representatives.

The launch featured speeches from The European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste Mr. Thorsten Bargfrede, 1st Secretary of French Embassy in Timor-Leste Mr. Jean – Eudes Durand, Head of Development Cooperation & Consellor of Embassy Canada to Indonesia & Timor-Leste Ms. Alice Birnbaum, The Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy Australia to Timor-Leste Mr. Edward Wilkinson, 1st Secretary of New Zealand Embassy Dr. Peter William, Presidente Autoridade Munisipiu Manufahi Sr. Luis Marçal da Costa Tavares, Rep. 2nd VPM Vice-Ministro para a Operacionalização dos Hopitais Sr. Dr. Flavio Brandão Mendes de Araújo, and WaterAid Timor-Leste Country Director Justino Da Silva.

“This launch marks our shared commitment and collaboration to promote sustainability, ensuring the successful implementation of this project.”
Mr. Justino da Silva, Country Director WaterAid Timor-Leste.

Implemented across Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Timor-Leste, Kiwa PRESERVE regional project takes a holistic approach to building climate resilience by addressing the interconnected vulnerabilities of water security, food production, and livelihoods through NbS. The project will take place from May 2026 – September 2029 with a budget of €5,000,000. In Timor-Leste, the project will be implemented in selected communities within the Caraulun watershed in Manufahi Municipality, including Daisua, Rotuto, Grotu, and Betano villages.

Pacific communities most acutely experience climate change through disruptions to the water cycle, declining agricultural yields, and degradation of the ecosystems on which their traditional ways of life depend. These impacts are further compounded by human land-use pressures and fall disproportionately on women, youth, indigenous people, and persons with disabilities.

“Today marks not only the launch of a project, but the strengthening of our shared commitment to climate resilience.”
Mr. Thorsten Bargfrede, The European Union Ambassador to Timor-Leste

“The Kiwa PRESERVE Project is an excellent example of how long-term partnerships can deliver meaningful and sustainable results between France and Timor-Leste.”
Mr. Jean – Eudes Durand, 1st Secretary of French Embassy in Timor-Leste

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to helping communities build resilience, protect natural ecosystems, and secure a more sustainable future.”
Ms. Alice Birnbaum, Head of Development Cooperation & Consellor of Embassy Canada to Indonesia & Timor-Leste

“We recognize that local communities are the best stewards of their natural resources, and their knowledge and leadership are essential to achieving lasting outcomes.”
Mr. Edward Wilkinson, The Deputy Head of Mission of Embassy Australia to Timor-Leste

“Climate resilience is strongest when it is led by local communities and grounded in their knowledge, values, and aspirations.”
Dr. Peter William, 1st Secretary of New Zealand Embassy

Through community-led resilience profiling and planning, Kiwa PRESERVE regional project will support watershed protection via community by-laws, reforestation of degraded slopes and riparian zones, protection of water sources, installation of bio-infiltration basins, and the adoption of agroecological practices to reduce erosion and dependence on slash-and-burn agriculture. The project places particular emphasis on inclusive governance, ensuring that women, youth, and people with disabilities are empowered as decision-makers in their communities and that traditional knowledge is integrated throughout.

“Across the Pacific, communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change on water, food, and livelihoods. Kiwa PRESERVE will tackle these challenges with locally led, Nature-based Solutions that protect water sources, strengthen resilience, and ensure entire communities have a voice in shaping their future.” says Tom Muller, Chief Executive, WaterAid Australia.