EU and FAO continue to join forces for sustainable rural development in Papua New Guinea

Now in its third year, the Programme for Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea (EU-STREIT PNG) is stepping up efforts in 2022 to increase sustainable and inclusive economic development in rural areas of Papua New Guinea. The programme is the largest EU grant-funded programme in Papua New Guinea and in the Pacific subregion as a whole.  

It is being implemented under FAO’s lead and in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in close collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea and local partners, with an emphasis on local agripreneurs.  

Launched in 2020, this five-year programme is focused on sustainable rural development in targeted areas through support in developing three agrifood value chains: cocoa, vanilla and fisheries. A core pillar of the initiative is to help mainstream gender perspectives and promote women and youths’ inclusion throughout these value chains.  

Direct benefits are expected to include increased income for producers, traders, agripreneurs and local micro, small & medium enterprises and enhanced adaptive capacity to climate change, as well as improved food security and nutrition. Planned indirect benefits include an improved policy, regulatory, business and digital environment.  

The target beneficiaries receive a range of support designed to motivate them to continue their engagement in the three value chains after the completion of the programme and to integrate climate projections and adaptation in their operations.  

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and security issues, the programme has set out an ambitious  strategy to achieve its objectives in 2022 and the following two years. This will include a range of initiatives aimed at expanding private sector partnerships; developing geographic information system/remote sensing mapping; providing rural-accessible banking and finance solutions; extending information and communications technology in target rural areas; and coordinating, developing and providing renewable energy solutions.