CAUSE Weekly Wrap-Up: Keeping you informed, one week at a time.

Issue 166 (Digital) 30 October – 03 November 2023
The weekly wrap-up newsletter is a way to connect and update staff and project stakeholders about the progress of projects implemented by CAUSE in different communities. It includes information about the projects in Honiara, Guadalcanal (areas outside of town boundary), Auki, Gizo, Noro, and Munda. CAUSE is supported by the Australian Government and the World Bank.

CAUSE Project Quarterly Newsletter – September 2023 Edition

Elevating Community Access and Urban Services: A Strategic Overview of Achievements

This quarter’s newsletter underscores the substantial progress of the CAUSE Project, showcasing the successful overachievement of our Q3 targets. In partnership with the World Bank and Australian Government, our concerted efforts in infrastructure development and service enhancement have not only reached but also surpassed our aspirations, delivering significant advancements in the Solomon Islands’ urban landscapes.

Infrastructure and Development Milestones:

Completion of 199 multimodal infrastructure investments: This achievement marks a pivotal step in improving transportation networks and economic access.
Elevation in household engagement: Approximately 18,100 households have benefited from the enhanced access to infrastructure, services, or markets.
Employment and skills development: The project has created 8,472 beneficiaries of job-focused interventions, fortifying community capacity building and economic resilience.

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives:

Targeted community support: 57% of the beneficiaries are from areas designated as ‘highest priority’ by the CAUSE vulnerability index, reinforcing our commitment to inclusive support.
Employment creation: With 332,000 labor days generated, we have facilitated meaningful employment opportunities, crucial for local development.

Sector-specific Progress:

Road Restoration & Maintenance: We’ve surpassed our 83.5 km target, achieving 99.6 km with an ongoing 12.8 km, demonstrating our efficiency and commitment to infrastructure improvement.
Climate Resilient Spot Improvements: Completion of 17.9 km against a target of 14.11 km showcases our proactive stance on climate adaptation measures.
Enhanced Road Segments: Progress on 316 road segments, with 39 segments under continuous development, directly impacts 13,523 households, providing them with robust and reliable infrastructure.

Improvement to Climate Resilience Critical Section of Euka Road

Community Impact and Feedback:

Increased access: An encouraging 82.8% of individuals in project areas report enhanced access to infrastructure, underpinning the positive societal impacts of our endeavors.
Broader benefits: Initiatives have extended to heighten community safety, cohesion, and environmental sanitation.

Acknowledgment of Donors:

The unwavering support and financial assistance from the World Bank and Australian Government have been quintessential in reaching these milestones. We express our sincere appreciation for their commitment to driving sustainable development initiatives within the region.

Forward Outlook:

The CAUSE project team remains resolute in its mission to forge ahead with strategic initiatives designed to further enhance community infrastructure, economic opportunities, and climate resilience.

Engagement and Contact:

We invite all stakeholders and partners to engage with our ongoing activities and to be a part of our journey towards a more connected and sustainable future. For further information or to provide feedback, please contact us at contact-us@causesi.net.

Transforming connectivity, empowering communities.

CAUSE Project Team

A series of bilateral meetings with key government stakeholders have been conducted this week by Fraser-Thomas Ltd., an engineering firm from New Zealand, engaged by the World Bank to assist with the planning and identification of priority urban development projects in the Solomon Islands. These projects are proposed to be financed through a successor operation to the Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement Project (CAUSE2).

The firm has been conducting a series of bilateral meetings with key government stakeholders in Honiara, including the Honiara City Council (HCC), the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Survey (MLHS), the Ministry of Infrastructure Development(MID), and other key government stakeholders. During these meetings, Fraser-Thomas Ltd. is seeking input and suggestions from these stakeholders on various aspects of urban development, including:

Identifying critical municipal investments – understanding the key areas where urban development investments are needed in Honiara. This could include infrastructure, public facilities, markets, and green spaces.
Identifying gaps in current infrastructure and services – assess the gaps in the existing urban infrastructure and services, such as transport networks, coastal protection, stormwater drainage, and flood protection.
Aligning with the Solomon Islands Government’s policy framework and plans – ensure that the proposed urban interventions align with the government’s policies and existing plans for the urban sector.
Prioritizing investments – a pipeline of investments based on factors such as urgency, cost-effectiveness, expected climate co-benefits, and potential economic multiplier effects. This process will help determine which projects should be given priority for funding.

Overall, the objective of these meetings and activities is to provide valuable input and recommendations to shape the urban development projects to be financed through the CAUSE2 successor operation in line with the needs and goals of the Solomon Islands Government.

Community Access & Urban Services Enhancement Project: A Milestone Achievement! as of September 2023

By Special Correspondent

SOLOMON ISLANDS – The Community Access & Urban Services Enhancement Project, a transformative initiative aimed at uplifting both the human and physical environment of our community, has hit major milestones, underscoring the project’s enormous success and community impact.

INSPIRING STORIES

Beryl Sosota, a stay-at-home mother of four teenagers, struggled to support her children’s education. She used to sell cooked food at the market and her husband provided OBM services and repair in Gizo. However, their income was not enough to cover their family’s expenses.

In November 2021, Beryl attended a seven-day ISDT training at Gizo PIU. She learned how to write a CV, an application letter and how to present herself during an interview. She was grateful for this training, as she was able to apply for a job as an office cleaner at the Gizo NPF branch.

Beryl was hired for the job and worked there for six months. She is pleased that NPF also helps pay her children’s school fees. This is a blessing for her family.

Ghorekera Tolipio, a participant from batch 34, is a SINU graduate from the class of 2021, actively seeking job opportunities. One of his aspirations was to join the Labour Mobility Scheme for seasonal employment, but he faced obstacles.

However, after enrolling in the ISDT training on September 19, 2022, Ghorekera utilized the certificate he obtained along with the attached reference to apply for jobs. Through his determination, he successfully secured a position. Additionally, he used his earnings from project work to cover the expenses for his passport. Ghorekera expressed his gratitude to the CAUSE project for their assistance in making his dreams come true.

During our recent encounter with him two weeks ago, he briefly visited for a vacation before returning to Australia. Ghorekera shared that the valuable lessons he acquired during the ISDT training played a significant role in his promotion to the position of works supervisor at the farm where he is currently employed. He is now in Australia, supporting his family financially and working towards establishing his own depot business, specializing in selling and expanding his inventory of drums.

Testimonials