One of the key objectives of the project is to foster the capacities of local chiefs and key community leaders to better manage their coastal areas, in particular fish and shellfish farms. Under completion of this program, the Chiefs and other key informant leaders should be empowered to sustainably manage their ecosystems, and to develop localised solutions to protect coastal marine environments through participatory approaches.
More broadly, the project is seeking to build the capacities of the people of Port Vila and those living on coastal areas to better adapt to the impact of climate change and natural disasters on their livelihoods. Under completion of the project, it is expected that the habitants of the urban and peri-urban areas of Port Vila whose livelihoods are being threatened by sea level rise, have increased knowledge and skills regarding coastal and ecosystem management. Moreover, it is expected that adaptation activities are increased in communities of these areas of Port Vila, and that dynamic integrated traditional knowledge and modern scientific knowledge are used by coastal communities to adapt to climate change while ensuring the preservation of ecosystems.
These objectives should be attained through a Capacity Building and Adaptation Program that integrates:
- 10 community-based workshops on climate change adaptation strategies and developing local solutions to better tackle the impacts of climate change in Port Vila and Efate’s marine ecosystems.
- A large consultation workshop with relevant sectors of the Government, the Provincial Government, the Department of Local Authorities, the Port Vila Town Planning, Civil Society Organisations, Chiefs and other traditional leaders to discuss and plan activities
- Technical support from the Environment, Climate Change, Ministry of Health and a consultant to provide expertise on the implementation of this project.
- A national workshop in Port Vila including relevant stakeholders to discuss and plan inclusively localized solutions for climate change adaptation.