The SAFE Project (Safeguarding Solomon Islands endemic and globally threatened biodiversity and ecosystem services) under the Ministry of Environment Climate Change Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) recently concluded a two-day induction workshop for Provincial Project Coordinators (PPCs) provincial liaison officers and selected provincial-based officers.
The SAFE Project is a nationally significant initiative funded under the Global Environment Facility (GEF-7) and implemented in partnership with the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). The project directly supports Solomon Islands’ commitments to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem resilience and sustainable land use management.
The purpose of the induction was to orient Provincial Project Coordinators (PPCs), Community Liaison Officers and selected Provincial-based officers to the objectives, structure, policies, and operational procedures including key government policies and sectoral policies of MECDM and partner ministries such as the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Ministry of Forestry and Research (MoFR), and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL). The induction aimed to ensure a clear understanding of roles, responsibilities, reporting lines, and performance expectations to enable effective implementation of the SAFE Project at the provincial level.
The workshop also strengthened participants’ understanding of relevant legislation, national strategies, frameworks, and technical tools used by sector ministries. This will enhance their ability to effectively carry out their duties within their respective provinces and when engaging with communities and stakeholders. Speaking during the opening ceremony on behalf of the MECDM Permanent Secretary, Deputy Director Conservation under Environment and Conservation Division (ECD) Mr Trevor Maeda emphasized that the project aligns strongly with national priorities under the National Development Strategy 2016–2035, particularly objective 4 – strengthening environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and sustainable economic development.
“As Provincial Project Coordinators, you are the bridge between national policy and community implementation. You represent Solomon Islands Government through MECDM at the provincial level. You are responsible for:
- Coordinating provincial-level implementation
- Ensuring safeguards and compliance requirements are met
- Supporting financial accountability and timely report
- Strengthening collaboration with provincial governments, communities, and stakeholders
- Ensuring that project results translate into real impact on the ground
Your role is both technical and strategic. You must ensure that activities are delivered effectively, transparently, and in accordance with both Government and UNDP procedures”.
He further stressed that the Ministry expects professionalism, integrity, and proactive leadership from each officer. Strong coordination with Provincial Governments, line ministries, customary landowners, and local communities will be essential for the project’s success. The induction provided clarity on MECDM’s mandates and structure, projects governance arrangement (GEF-UNDP-MECDM-Province), the roles of technical agencies-, financial management and procurement procedures, monitoring evaluation, and reporting requirements.
In his closing remarks Maeda stated that the success of the SAFE Project will depend largely on the commitment and performance at the provincial level. He emphasized that collaborative work and high standards of accountability will ensure the project leaves a lasting legacy for Solomon Islands’ biodiversity, ecosystems, and future generations.
Participants at the workshop included representatives from MECDM, MFMR, MoFR, MAL, non-governmental organizations, UNDP, private sector partners, and Provincial Project Coordinators and Liaison Officers from Malaita, Guadalcanal, Isabel, Makira, Temotu, and Choiseul provinces.
