BY INDY MAEALASIA
UNICEF, in partnership with the Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) and Malaita Provincial Government (MPG) have successfully concluded a three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening local governance and improving the delivery of essential social services across Malaita Province.
Held in Auki from 13 to 15 May with funding support from the European Union, the workshop brings together provincial officials, ward development committees, government ministries and civil society organizations.
It marks the beginning of a series of similar workshops to be held across all provinces in the Solomon Islands, focusing on strengthening capacity building of provincial governments in evidence-based planning, budgeting, financing and governance skills to strengthen service delivery in health, education, water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH).
“This workshop is a crucial step forward in our shared commitment to improving the well-being of our communities, especially our children,” said Ronesh Prasad, UNICEF Solomon Islands Social Policy Specialist.
“By equipping provincial and ward-level stakeholders with the tools and data for evidence-based planning; we are supporting more responsive, inclusive and accountable governance.”
The initiative is part of the Provincial Governance and Service Delivery (PGSD) Project, jointly implemented by UNICEF and UNDP under the broader European Union-funded programme.
Malaita Premier, Elijah Asilaua acknowledged that the partnership with UNICEF and the EU marks a new chapter on efforts to serve the people of Malaita more effectively.
“By building the capacity of our officers and ward committees, we are creating the foundation for better governance and resilient, community-driven development. Let us seize this opportunity to turn plans into action and challenges into solutions.”
Participants gained technical knowledge and skills to plan, design and cost project proposals aligned with the province’s development priorities.
Malaita Province, home to more than a third of Solomon Islands’ population of 800,000 people continue to face major challenges in WASH access, health infrastructure and education services. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, just 48% of households have access to essential drinking water sources, while most communities still practice open defecation.
Through capacity-building efforts, Malaita Province aims to develop more inclusive and climate-resilient social services, especially for vulnerable groups, including children with disabilities and adolescent girls. The workshop also aligns with the Solomon Islands Government’s 20-year National Development Strategy (NDS 2016-2035), which emphasizes good governance, inclusive economic growth and quality basic services.
UNICEF remains committed to supporting the people of Solomon Islands in realizing their right to health, education and safe water. Together with national and provincial partners, this initiative represents a collective step toward a brighter, healthier and more equitable future for every child.
Isabel Province will be the next to undergo this workshop, followed by Central Islands Province, Western Province and the rollout will continue until it covers all the provinces in the country, including Honiara.
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