USAID

Over the last four months, the USAID, through its PNG Lukautim Graun Program, have trained 1,168 people, mostly women, in the two provinces.

The aim is to increase financial literacy in rural and remote communities throughout Papua New Guinea.

These participants now have a better understanding in the basics of savings and budgeting, the foundational skills for creating enterprises and increasing household and personal financial security.

The USAID funded OurFish OurFuture National Inception Workshop for PNG, was held yesterday in Port Moresby officiated by U.S Charge d’Affaires for PNG, Joseph Zadrozny.

He said the implementation approach for the program is unique and that it will use a community-centered approach to ensure maximum impact with the people and communities being the core focus of the program.

The 246 years of Independence was celebrated with displays of American heritage in costumes, musical entertainment and delicacies.

US Embassy Chargé d'affaires, Joe Zadrozny commended the sponsors for making the event possible and a success. The support was provided by sponsors Exxon Mobil, PNG LNG, Deloittes, Niu Ford, Coca Cola Euro Pacific Partners, SNP Brewery, Santos, Hastings Deering, Hilton Hotel, 2020 Energy and International SOS.

USAID believes voting is for every legally aged person no matter their physical appearance or circumstance, and the workshop will enhance access for people living with disabilities (PLWDs) in PNG this coming national election.

The workshop empowered people living with disabilities to engage in the national election through conducting polling place assessments and developing reports on the findings.

The document was signed through USAID and the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM).

The funding highlights the continued commitment by the American people in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific through their strengthened U.S.-Pacific partnerships for sustainable, prosperous, inclusive, secure, and democratically empowered societies.

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and other donors have shown their support for the PNGEC in ensuring there is maximum participation of eligible youth, women and persons with disabilities in the 2022 National Election.
This is the second Youth Voter Festival hosted by IFES in the country, the first was held in Goroka early this month.

The training in Goroka is for recipients of grants from the USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP). 

Through the USAID’s LGP program, grants are provided enabling NGO partners to conduct activities on the ground strengthening the biodiversity conservation, women’s economic empowerment, local governance and livelihoods in PNG.

He made this announcement during discussions in Washington recently. “This is a welcome development and reflects the Government’s work in rebuilding international partnerships to grow the economy and improve lives,” said Mr Ling-Stuckey. 

These funds will reduce threats to biodiversity, strengthen traditional landowners’ rights, and promote women’s economic empowerment. 

U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, Erin E. McKee at an event to announce these awards said: “Conserving PNG’s natural heritage comes at a critical time when biodiversity faces grave threats around the world, with critical species and habitats threatened at alarming rates,”

Each grant recipient will receive resources and support under USAID’s Lukautim Graun biodiversity project.