Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities: 28 Market Vendors Graduate from UNDP-ANZ Saver Plus Initiative

October 1, 2025

Port Vila, Vanuatu – In a graduation ceremony held at the Vanuatu Market House, 28 women market vendors marked a significant milestone, their graduation from the 10-month Saver Plus Initiative, a financial literacy and matched savings program delivered under the UNDP-ANZ partnership through the Markets for Change (M4C) Project. The event brought together key stakeholders including Ms. Mahina Sherryl, Area Programme Manager for UNDP Pacific Office in Vanuatu, Ms. Sarah Stubbings, Regional CEO Pacific of ANZ Bank, and representatives from the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu, Port Vila Council Management, and the Market Vendors Association.

The graduates, all women vendors from Port Vila Market, were celebrated for their dedication and perseverance. Over the past 10 months, they participated in Money Minded financial literacy training, learning how to manage money, set financial goals, and build a more secure future. Many balanced their market stalls, cared for their families, and still made time to commit to the program—an achievement that was widely applauded during the ceremony.

Ms. Sherryl emphasized that the initiative was not just about saving money, but about empowering women with the tools and confidence to take control of their financial lives. “You’ve shown that with support, commitment, and effort—anything is possible,” she said. The program provided participants with matched savings of up to VT26,000 from ANZ Bank, helping them build a financial buffer and gain resilience against rising living costs.

The ceremony also acknowledged the broader impact of the Saver Plus Initiative across the Pacific. Since 2019, the UNDP-ANZ partnership has delivered financial literacy training to over 2,800 vendors and farmers in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. In Vanuatu alone, more than 400 women have been trained in the past two years, with the current cohort representing the first to graduate from the savings component of the program.

This initiative aligns closely with the Vanuatu Government’s Financial Inclusion Agenda and broader development goals. UNDP commended the leadership of the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu and the Ministry of Finance for championing inclusive policies that bring banking services and financial education closer to grassroots communities. The program also supports UNDP’s commitment to gender equality, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.

The graduation ceremony was part unique given the recent earthquake that disrupted lives and livelihoods across Vanuatu. Despite these challenges, the women continued to save, plan, and believe in a better future. Their resilience is a true reflection of the strength and spirit of Vanuatu’s informal economy and the power of women-led enterprise.

The Markets for Change Project, supported by the Australian Government, aims to strengthen the economic security of women market vendors through training, infrastructure, and policy support. UNDP’s Gender Strategy emphasizes that gender equality is not only fair—it’s smart economics. By investing in women, the program contributes to stronger families, more vibrant markets, and resilient communities.

As the ceremony concluded, Ms. Sherryl offered heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and a message of encouragement: “Let this achievement be the stepping stone to whatever comes next. May your success inspire others. Your stories are proof that small steps lead to big change.” The event closed with a renewed commitment from all partners to continue supporting women in the informal economy and expanding the reach of financial empowerment programs across the Pacific.

The Markets for Change Project contributes to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the M4C project directly contributes to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It supports SDG 5 on Gender Equality, SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, SDG 10 on reducing inequalities, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. The project ensurees equality and economic empowerment for all, including men, women, youth, people with disabilities, and marginalized minority groups.

The M4C project is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP and with support from the Government of Australia.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Josian Merick, Project Associate, Vanuatu on email: josian.merick@undp.org or Ms Vilisi Veibataki, Markets for Change Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji | vilisi.veibataki@undp.org | +679 3227701