LocationsCommunities at the heart of $3.1 million in environmental action across Samoa
September 16, 2026
Grant awards ceremony in Savaii and inception workshop.
Apia, SAMOA – Communities across Samoa will lead local actions to address key environmental and livelihood challenges through more than WST$3.1 million in grant awarded under the UNDP Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP).
The funding is provided through the Samoa CARES project, supported by the Government of Australia, and GEF-SGP Operational Phase 8 (OP8). It supports community-based organisations, non-governmental groups and local partners to implement practical community designed solutions.
A grant ceremony was held last Thursday in Upolu and Friday for Savaii where successful recipients received their grants and participated in inception workshops.
A total of 45 projects will receive WST$2.3 million through the Australia-funded Samoa CARES project while a further 17 projects will share more than WST$800,000 through GEF-SGP Operational Phase 8. The initiatives represent a total investment of $3.1million tala in community-led environmental action across Samoa.
“I am pleased that these grants will provide much-needed financial support to communities, while also contributing to local economic activity,’’ said Paolo Dalla Stella, UNDP Officer in Charge.
‘’More importantly, however, these resources provide an opportunity for communities themselves to develop and implement solutions to the environmental and development challenges that matter most to them.”
The newly funded projects will help communities turn local knowledge and ideas into practical action demonstrating that environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods can go hand in hand.
Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, Simon Dawkins, said the selection process was highly competitive and reflected the growing capacity, innovation, and dedication of community organisations.
‘’While each project may be locally focused, its impact contributes to a much larger national and regional climate change effort,’’ he added.
‘’Tatou olo-olo pitova'a fa'atasi mo le saogalemu o Samoa. Let us come together in partnership to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.’’
The UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme is designed to place resources directly in the hands of communities and local organisations, particularly those living in fragile ecosystems and whose livelihoods are closely connected to Samoa’s natural environment.
One of the recipients, Pastor Norman Fa’afetai of the First Samoan Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Nu’u Fou welcomed the support.
“We are grateful for this grant, which will enable us to install solar streetlights that will benefit not only our church, but the wider community,” he said.
“It is also our contribution to Samoa’s renewable energy efforts and will support the many church and community activities held on our large compound, including our upcoming youth camp. For us, it also carries a deeper meaning: as a church, we are called to shine God’s light into every dark place.”
The Samoa CARES project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with technical support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
There were 135 applications considered by the National Steering Committee that approved 62 projects following technical assessment and recommendations from the Technical Advisory Group.
From strengthening sustainable resource management and protecting biodiversity to developing community-based approaches that improve resilience and livelihoods, the projects are expected to deliver benefits that extend beyond the individual grant recipients.
For more information, please contact:
Laufālē’ainā Lesā, Communications Analyst, UNDP Multi Country Office, Samoa | Tel. +685 23670 | E: laufaleaina.lesa@undp.org | www.ws.undp.org
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