Australia Announces Record-Breaking 57 New Community Projects Worth OverSBD 13 Million

57 communities across Solomon Islands will benefit from new social infrastructure projects under Australia’s Community Partnerships program.

New school classrooms, community halls, solar-powered streetlights, sanitation blocks, sports facilities and health clinics will all be delivered under the program in a funding round worth more than $13 million.

Equipment, building materials and construction services will be procured locally, meaning the funding will support local businesses and jobs as well as improved community services.  

The new projects were confirmed last week at an Awards Night where 57 new Project Coordinators signed agreement documents with the Australian High Commission, concluding the second Community Partnerships funding round for 2025 and bringing announced projects for the year to a record-breaking total of 108.

Over the lifetime of this program, Australia has funded Community Partnerships projects in every province and every constituency of Solomon Islands.

Speaking at the Awards Night to celebrate the new projects alongside Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Acting Australian High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel said they demonstrated Australia’s commitment to locally led development.

“These projects are delivered by communities, for communities and are changing lives across Solomon Islands,” Mr Schloeffel said. “Australia is proud to stand with Solomon Islands: not just as a donor, but as a trusted partner committed to long-term progress.”

The Community Partnerships program is ongoing and applications for the next round of funding will open early next year.

The new projects awarded last week are listed below:

1. Salavo Community Solar Lighting Project, Ngella
2. Rarakisi Community Sanitation Blocks, South Choiseul
3. Posarae Community Water Supply Rehabilitation Project, South Choiseul
4. St Stephen Anglican Church & Communities Water Tanks, Central Guadalcanal
5. Bemuta Community Water Supply Project, Central Guadalcanal
6. Kobito Community Hall Project, East Central Guadalcanal
7. Ruavatu Community Hall Project, East Central Guadalcanal
8. Taloa Community Hall Project, North Guadalcanal
9. Sali Primary School Staff House Project, North Guadalcanal
10. Pitukoli School Compound Fence Project, North Guadalcanal
11. Visale Community High School Hall Project, Northwest Guadalcanal
12. Selwyn College Girls’ Dormitory Fence Project, Northwest Guadalcanal
13. Satona Community Solar Streetlights Project, West Guadalcanal
14. Talise Youth Committee Solar Lights Project, Central Honiara
15. Lio Creek Safe Steps Lighting Project, East Honiara
16. Visena Community High School Solar Project, Gao/Bugotu
17. Ligho Community Jacob’s Ladder Project, Gao/Bugotu
18. Nagholau Community Footbridge, Gao/Bugotu
19. Lilika Secondary School Dormitory Project, Hograno/Kia/Havulei
20. Mablosi Community Rest House Project, Hograno/Kia/Havulei
21. Sisiga Community Solar Lighting Project, Maringe/Kokota
22. Tigubako Primary School Precinct Solar Streetlights, Maringe/Kokota
23. Aorigi Primary School Staff House Building Project, East Makira
24. Nanihu Water Supply Project, West Makira
25. Oibola Community Hall Disaster Shelter Project, Aoke/Langalanga
26. Radefasu Community Sanitation, Aoke/Langalanga
27. Radeaeka-Sifolomae Clinic Extension, Aoke/Langalanga
28. Busuone Community Water Supply Upgrade, Central Kwara’ae
29. MAS Water Supply Rehabilitation, Central Kwara’ae
30. Foau Community Solar Powered Streetlights Project, Central Kwara’ae
31. Foulofo Community Solar Streetlight Project, East Are’Are
32. Rokononi Market House Project, East Are’Are
33. Odou Community Shines Streetlight Project, Fataleka
34. Manaoba Island Water Supply Project, Lau/Mbaelelea
35. Ward 31 Luangiua Classroom Building Extension, Malaita Outer Islands
36. Sikaiana Islands Classroom Project, Malaita Outer Islands
37. Sindu Community Solar Streetlights Project, North Malaita
38. Sikwafata Rural Development Growth and Resource Management Centre, North Malaita
39. Raubabate Footpath & Solar Lighting Project, North Malaita
40. Taori Community Water Supply Project, Small Malaita
41. Wainimarau Waikukua Water Supply Rehabilitation, West Are’Are
42. Lavagu Community Provincial Government Facilities Security Solar Powered Light Project, Rennell & Bellona
43. Taiatua Sports Club Basketball Court, Rennell & Bellona
44. Rennell Bellona Constituency Water Security Project, Rennell & Bellona
45. Neo Ward Rainwater Harvesting Project, Temotu Nende
46. Malapu Community Water Tank Project, Temotu Pele
47. Korare Community Solar Light Project, Gizo/Kolombangara
48. Iriri Community Street Light Project, Gizo/Kolombangara
49. Viru Community High School Solar Power Project, Marovo
50. Kavolavata Primary School Solar Power Project, Marovo
51. Kusaghe Solar Power Streetlights Project, North New Georgia
52. Irigila Community Water Tank Project, North Vella La Vella
53. Buri Primary School Classroom Renovation, Ranonga/Simbo
54. Obobulu Community Solar Street Light Project, Ranonga/Simbo
55. Baraulu Clinic Completion, South New Georgia/Rendova/Tetepare
56. Supato Solar Streetlights Project, South Vella La Vella
57. Rereana Community Sanitation Project, South Vella La Vella