The Kiwa Initiative

Background

Launched in 2020 by the European Union, France, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the Kiwa Initiative was spearheaded by French President Emmanuel Macron at the 2017 One Planet Summit. It aims to support Pacific States and territories in their efforts to adapt to climate change.

Activities carried out

In 2025, five years after its launch, the Kiwa Initiative has 41 projects supported in 17 Pacific island states and territories.

Project details

The Kiwa Initiative is a regional multi‑donor program launched in 2020 to strengthen climate resilience across Pacific Island countries and territories. It funds projects that use Nature‑based Solutions (NbS) to protect, restore, or sustainably manage biodiversity. With a budget exceeding €75 million, the initiative supports local and regional actions that help Pacific communities, ecosystems, and economies adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Expected results

The funded projects cover a wide range of topics related to climate change adaptation, focusing on the conservation and restoration of ecosystems. They generate tangible co-benefits such as enhanced food security and improved human health.

Among the nine regional projects:

• POLFN is developing agroecology and organic farming training farms for smallholders in four English-speaking countries, with exchanges in the French territories of the Pacific.
• PEBACC+ is implementing ecosystem-based adaptation approaches, engaging local authorities in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Wallis and Futuna.
• WISH+ targets key catchment areas in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands to improve water quality.
• MiCOAST strengthens community-based fisheries management in Micronesia.
• WOMEN’S WORK supports women’s groups in restoring coastal ecosystems.
• RESICO revitalises traditional agroforestry systems in Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
• INSPIRE works to eradicate and prevent invasive species in Fiji, Palau, French Polynesia and Samoa, whilst creating inter-island learning networks.
• EMPOWER and RESTORE place communities at the heart of their work to strengthen their resilience to climate change.

All Kiwa Initiative projects incorporate a strong focus on social inclusion, involving women, young people, and people with disabilities or in vulnerable situations.

In parallel, 32 local projects are also supported in the following territories: New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, Kiribati, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, the Solomon Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Timor-Leste.

Budget

79.5 million euros

Partners

The Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (PROE) and the regional office of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Oceania) are key partners in the Kiwa Initiative.

Beneficiaries

Local communities, institutions and national governments are working together to build resilience to climate change by implementing sustainable and inclusive solutions tailored to the needs of the Pacific.

Donor

Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union, Canada (GAC), Australia (DFAT) and New Zealand (MFAT).