Local Climate Leadership in Action: EMPOWER Project Sparks Community-Led Resilience in Solomon Islands

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A major boost to climate resilience efforts in the Solomon Islands took place this week with the official launch of the EMPOWER project under the Kiwa Initiative, signalling a shift in how climate change adaptation is delivered — from the grassroots up.

Led by Live and Learn Environmental Education and launched in partnership with the Government of Solomon Islands, EMPOWER is already making a tangible difference in how local communities access and lead climate solutions.

Shifting Power to Local Hands

One of the most transformational outcomes of the EMPOWER project is its ability to channel climate finance directly to communities—the people most impacted by climate change, and those best equipped to respond with locally relevant solutions.

The project is restoring ecosystems, strengthening traditional practices, and building leadership among women, youth, and Indigenous leaders. It’s not just supporting resilience — it’s reshaping who leads the response.

Nature-Based Solutions Delivering Real Results

At the core of EMPOWER is a commitment to nature-based solutions: from mangrove restoration to sustainable agriculture and community-led conservation. These efforts are already:

  • Protecting coastlines from erosion
  • Improving food security
  • Reviving degraded ecosystems

 Building knowledge and ownership among communities

By working with nature rather than against it, the project is helping Solomon Islanders adapt to climate threats in ways that are sustainable, culturally grounded, and cost-effective.

An Inclusive Model of Climate Action

EMPOWER isn’t just about delivering projects — it’s about shifting mindsets and structures. Women and youth who were once sidelined in decision-making processes are now front and centre in planning, leading, and monitoring climate adaptation activities.

This inclusive approach ensures the solutions are more effective, more sustainable, and more widely supported.

Backed by a Global Coalition

This outcome-driven initiative is supported by the Kiwa Initiative, a regional partnership committed to enhancing Pacific climate resilience through nature-based solutions.

Donor partners include New Zealand, Australia, European Union, France and Canada.

As a donor, New Zealand reaffirmed its commitment to climate responses that are community-driven and culturally aligned, recognising that real change comes from within.

“We back climate solutions that are grounded in lived experience, guided by culture, and driven by communities,” said a New Zealand Commissioner Solomon Islands at the launch.

Building a More Resilient Solomon Islands

The impact of the EMPOWER project is already being felt — local leadership is stronger, natural systems are recovering, and communities are better prepared for climate shocks.

This is more than a climate adaptation program. It is a blueprint for how to localise climate finance, strengthen resilience from the village level, and build a future where Pacific Island communities are not just surviving, but thriving.

As the Solomon Islands faces rising seas, extreme weather, and ecosystem degradation, initiatives like EMPOWER are proving that with the right support, local solutions can deliver national impact.

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