Grants

The community grant under Digicel Foundation provides grants up to K50,000 to local organizations across the country who are delivering projects in the areas of health, education, water and sanitation, sustainable livelihoods, and safety.

These grants will go towards projects such as safe houses, sports development, medical equipment, advocacy on gender-based violence, education, agriculture and WASH programs.

The grants will fund water and sanitation, road, child counselling and farming projects based in Central and South Bougainville.

Grants up to K100,000 each were signed on Friday in Arawa and given to nine communities based in Central and South Bougainville, including Bana, Buin, Kieta, Siwai, Panguna and Torokina.

The projects are supported through Bougainville Community Grants scheme, a partnership between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and Australia.  

The announcement is being made at a two day Young Pacific Leaders Conference in Honolulu this week.

Delegates will discuss issues about education, the environment, civic leadership and social development, and both alumni and current participants will be eligible to apply for small project grants that meet certain criteria.

A spokesperson for the United States Consulate in New Zealand, Natalie Wilkins, said hundreds applied to attend the conference, but only 26 young leaders were selected.

She said the grants would help pave the way for youth to make a difference.

Lelang said he only received K3 million from the K30 million submission.

“I want the Minister to come out and inform my people where the remaining K27million has gone to.

“Who knows this money may have being diverted elsewhere.

“While I acknowledge the K100,000 given to my district for the fishing project were allocated to the people of Tamuniai area who have voting population of only 30, it is hardly seen as a significant contribution.”