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UNDP Samoa QUARTER 2 NEWSLETTER (Apr-jun 2021)

The future is bright for Digital Transformation in Samoa

Samoa College teachers and students (pictured above with representatives from the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, and the Samoa Information Technology Association, SITA) are part of the Digital Transformation through enhanced E-Governance Platforms and Digital Literacy Project.

The project ensures students' studies will continue despite any setbacks, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 lockdowns at the beginning of 2020. The project is implemented by UNDP in partnership with SITA.

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From a high school teacher to a biomass gas plant operator

Ruta Falaniko Utupo changed careers from a high school teacher of 12 years to a biomass plant operator.

How a UNDP-supported project changed the life of one woman and altered the renewable energy landscape in Samoa forever.

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2021 Greening Moonshot Facility

Let there be (solar) light: The One UN House in Samoa houses about 7 UN Agencies, including UNDP and the UN Resident Coordinator's Office. The first Greening Moonshot Facility in 2020 enabled the UNDP Multi-Country Office to install solar-powered lights, amongst other 'greening' initiatives, that have now become important fixtures in and around the UN compound at Tuanaimato. This area used to be very dark at night which was highly inconvenient for staff working late. Photo: UNDP Samoa/L.Lesa

The UNDP Samoa Multi-Country Office has once again been selected as one of only three recipients from the Asia Pacific Region to have their office 'greening' projects funded by UNDP's Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP). As part of its commitment to 'green' UNDP in Samoa, the MCO is thrilled to receive this second round of funding - to the amount of USD$59,498. The money will be used to install outdoor solar charging work stations and LED and solar lights in the office, solar powered water pumps and lighting connected with motion sensors in washrooms. These activities should contribute significantly to reducing GHG emissions, and bring about numerous other benefits for the MCO.

#AdvancingTheGreeningAgenda

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Training the Trainers to respond to violence against women

The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative offered psychosocial support and psychological first aid training to local organisations dealing with the impacts of violence against women.

The Spotlight Initiative, in collaboration with the Samoa Umbrella for Non Government Organisations (SUNGO), conducted a Training of Trainers workshop on Psychosocial Support and Psychological First Aid - key components of responding to those affected by violence against women. Photo: UNDP Samoa/L.Lesa

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Breaking down barriers to #GenderEquality for Nofotane women

Ferila Seve was part of the Women in Leadership in Samoa (WILS) Project's Village Leadership Development Initiative (VLDI) which produces what are known as BTIs or Breakthrough Initiatives, to bring about a change in mindsets and behaviours within the village that may have contributed to gender inequality. Photo: WILS Project/J.Mareko

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Portfolio Sensemaking Experiment: We stumbled, we designed, and we delivered!

Lego storytelling was part of the sensemaking experiment that the Accelerator Lab team conducted during the UNDP Staff Retreat earlier this year. Photo: UNDP Samoa/L.Lesa

The new Acc Lab blog is now live!

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Adaptive management keeps GCF Vaisigano Catchment Project progress on track

The Green Climate Fund Vaisigano Catchment Project covers a large area, stretching from the mouth of the Vaisigano River (in the foreground) to further upstream, all the way up to Afiamalu. That's about 31 villages, and 26,528 direct and 37,000 indirect beneficiaries. Photo: Alavaro Hoyos

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Exploring social protection options in Samoa

What is social protection? How can we help the most vulnerable and the poorest through social protection measures?

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The Quest continues for aspiring Women Directors

The Women in Leadership in Samoa (WILS) Project has been working with the Samoa Institute of Directors to train women to be Directors of Boards. About 66% of current women directors were supported by the WILS Project. Photo: WILS Project/J.Mareko

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Samoa launches new Law & Justice Sector Plan to enhance safety, access to justice & border security

The recently launched Law & Justice Sector Plan 2020-2022 for Samoa, was funded by UNDP and the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative.

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Universal civil registration and vital statistics are critical for truth, trust and COVID recovery in Asia and the Pacific

Joint Op-Ed by UNDP's Kanni Wignaraja, UNESCAP's Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, and UNICEF's Omar Abdi.

Kanni Wignaraja is the Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP

The human toll of the COVID-19 crisis has been immense, with far reaching consequences for the most vulnerable families. To respond effectively to disasters and build back better, it is time we get everyone in the picture.

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GEF Small Grants Programme - impacting local communities

For the last 1️⃣6️⃣ years, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme in Samoa has been helping local communities be more climate resilient, while sustaining livelihoods, by enabling them to adapt to the impacts of climate change based on their specific environmental, social, and economic contexts.

The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is supported by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP.

SGP's National Steering Committee, comprising of representatives from government ministries & other local stakeholders, recently conducted end-of-project monitoring visits to community initiatives that the Programme has funded throughout 🇼🇸. Pictured left is an example of one such project - the Vaoala EFKS Youth Project - which promotes organic gardening as a health & wealth creation activity.

This grant facility builds and replicates the successful experiences of vulnerable communities to respond to specific local environmental issues, and support sustainable livelihood practices that will lead to global environmental benefits.

#ThinkGlobal #ActLocal

Staff Corner

Staff activities for this quarter ranged from (bottom left to the top) Zumba exercise, trainings with Irenee Dabare - our consultant from Bangkok, COVID-19 vaccinations, health checks with the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa, and a fire drill.

Contact us: registry.ws@undp.org

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