Empowering Women, Protecting Reefs: Grant Agreements Signed for Blue Businesses in Milne Bay

In late October 2025, four blue businesses in Milne Bay Province became the first micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the province to sign grants agreements under UNDP's and UNCDF's joint Gutpela Solwara Gutpela Bisnis Programme.

November 10, 2025

The official signing of the grants was held in Alotau on October 29

Milne Bay Provincial Administration/Bernard Nemani

By providing grants to blue businesses, the programme funded generously by the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and Joint SDG Fund seeks to protect coral reef ecosystems in Papua New Guinea by strengthening marine-friendly businesses in the country’s maritime provinces. In recent decades, these ecosystems have been increasingly threatened by climate change, overexploitation, and pollution.

Since 2023, the programme has supported five businesses through a similar grants scheme in West New Britain Province. After successfully piloting the scheme in West New Britain, the programme is now ready to cascade its experience to Milne Bay Province.

“This initiative aligns with the provincial government priorities for sustainable development, climate mitigation and inclusive economic growth. Our administration is committed to providing ongoing support to ensure that project implementation is successful,” the Milne Bay Provincial Government’s Principal Advisor for Natural Resources and Climate Mitigation, Mr. Misa Lionel, stated after the signing held in Alotau.

“Today’s signing is more than a financial transaction, it’s a commitment to empowering women, protecting our oceans, and building a future where business and conservation go hand in hand,” added UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Nicholas Booth.

The programme primarily targets women-led MSMEs by providing them technical assistance, leadership training, and tailored financial products designed to help them scale reef-positive operations that contribute to biodiversity and community resilience.

The Gutpela Solwara, Gutpela Bisnis Programme primarily supports women-led MSMEs

Milne Bay Provincial Administration/Bernard Nemani

UNCDF’s Country Lead and Technical Specialist, Mr. Wycliffe Ngwabe, highlighted how a key component of the partnership is the UNCDF Blue Guarantee Facility (BGF), a blended-finance mechanism that de-risks lending for blue MSMEs. “Through the BGF, UNCDF works with local financial institutions, such as Women’s Microbank Ltd [Mama Bank], to unlock access to credit for entrepreneurs engaged in sustainable fisheries, ecotourism, and ocean-friendly value chains,” explains Mr. Ngwabe.

One of the grants recipients, Mr. Abel Wallace, who runs the Kunawa Getaway Beach Site in Alotau District emphasized how the grant will enable the family-owned business to improve its operations. “I am very thankful to UNDP for this grant. Not only will it elevate the business, but we will also promote the message of conservation relating to the blue economy to everyone who comes to our place of business. The funding will impact us, and we want to impact others in our community as well by creating employment for women and youth,” said Mr. Wallace.

The Executive Manager of the Marine Division of Conservation Environment Protection Authority (CEPA), Ms. Yvonne Tio, further stressed that CEPA remains committed to work collaboratively with all stakeholders in supporting the MSMEs.

“This is aligned to the government’s 4th Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP IV) and the PNG Marine Programme on coral reefs, fisheries and food security for 2024-2034. CEPA is proud to support this initiative, which demonstrates how empowering women entrepreneurs can drive both economic growth and environmental stewardship,” she said.

With support from the Conservation Environment Protection Authority and the West New Britain and Milne Bay Provincial Administration, the programme is nuturing a new generation of entrepreneurs who are not only economically empowered but also environmentally conscious. The initiative has already made strides in Kimbe Bay and is now scaling up in Milne Bay Province, anchoring a model that brings together UNDPs blue enterprise incubation and UNCDFs catalytic finance to safeguard Papua New Guinea’s marine heritage.