USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program

23/12/2024

Season’s Greetings from the USAID PNG LGP Team!

As we reflect on the year gone by, we are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the incredible communities of Papua New Guinea, supporting their efforts to conserve biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and promote sustainable livelihoods. Together, we have planted seeds of change, nurtured conservation initiatives, and empowered individuals and communities to protect the natural heritage that sustains us all.

This holiday season, we celebrate the spirit of collaboration, the resilience of the people we serve, and the shared commitment to a brighter, more sustainable future for Papua New Guinea.

May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and the hope that comes with working together toward a better tomorrow. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in safeguarding our planet.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With warm wishes,
The USAID PNG LGP Team

11/12/2024

USAID - US Agency for International Development through its Papua New Guinea Lukautim Graun Program(USAID PNG LGP) and the U.S. Forest Service is supporting the government to revolutionise conservation efforts with the first-
ever National Ranger Strategy! This strategy and its Implementation Plan mark a major milestone, creating a unified network of
rangers trained to the highest global standards. Rangers, the heartbeat of conservation, will now be equipped with advanced tools and skills to tackle modern challenges, bridging the gap between policy and action. From biodiversity protection to empowering local communities, this strategy isn’t just about
conservation—it’s about ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future for PNG. With USAID’s ongoing support through the Lukautim Graun Program, launched in 2019, and CEPA’s leadership, PNG is
setting a powerful example for conservation efforts across the Pacific.

29/11/2024

Exciting news from Madang Province! A new chapter begins in biodiversity conservation in Papua New Guinea!The Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) and Madang Provincial Administration (MPA) have taken a significant step in biodiversity conservation by signing an MoU at the Madang Resort Hotel. Facilitated by the USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP), this partnership aims to protect critical areas like the Bismarck Forest Corridor, foster sustainable livelihoods, and include women in environmental decision-making. Tenkyu to all our stakeholders and partners for their commitment to preserving Papua New Guinea’s unique ecosystems. Let's work together to ensure a greener, more sustainable future!

31/10/2024

Empowering rural women is empowering communitie !
The USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP), in partnership with Kumul Organics, recently completed a three-day training for 25 women in Madang Province. Focused on high-quality Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) production, the training not only equips participants with essential skills but also provides them with direct access to markets. By partnering with local communities, USAID PNG LGP supports women's economic empowerment, helping them lead from agricultural production to business. Together, we’re investing in stronger, more resilient communities.

23/10/2024

that The USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP) is empowering local leaders with state-of-the-art skills to safeguard Papua New Guinea’s natural heritage! Through our recent ArcGIS Virtual Training, staff from the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority (CEPA) have gained crucial expertise in GIS, essential workflows, and field data collection using modern tools such as ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey 123. This initiative directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land, by equipping environmental champions with the tools they need to manage and protect forests and biodiversity. Our collaboration with CEPA is just one example of how building capacity can drive meaningful change in environmental management across Papua New Guinea. Together, we are creating a brighter, greener and more sustainable future!

17/10/2024

USAID PNG LGP paves the way for financial inclusion in Simbu!
On October 14, 2024, the Simbu Provincial Government and the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) signed a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to roll out Financial Literacy Training in Simbu Province. This initiative is, part of the USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP) and strengthens private sector partnerships and builds institutional capacity for financial inclusion. Representatives from the Simbu Provincial Government, CEFI, MiBank, and USAID PNG LGP came together to celebrate this milestone. The agreement will help individuals across the province access group-based savings, micro-finance, and lending programs, empowering communities for sustainable growth. Kudos to everyone involved in making this important step forward for financial inclusion in Simbu.

26/09/2024

Nine Tangguar clans from three tribes have come together to protect 17,803 hectares of forest and marine resources by signing a Conservation Deed. Supported by USAID through the PNG Lukautim Graun Program and The Nature Conservancy, this initiative marks a huge step towards sustainable development and preserving Papua New Guinea's biodiversity.

The deed covers 45% of the community’s land, safeguarding 16,311 hectares of forest and 1,492 hectares of marine areas. With the support of the local government and civil society organizations, this community-led effort is set to inspire future conservation work in PNG.

USAID, along with local leaders, has been working with the Tangguar clans to promote self-reliance and resilience through training in natural resource management, financial literacy, gender equality, and more. This initiative shows what can be achieved through collaboration and grassroots leadership!

18/08/2024

? USAID’s Papua New Guinea Lukautim Graun Program (LGP) has been a game-changer in biodiversity conservation and community development since 2019! From protecting vital forest ecosystems to supporting sustainable livelihoods, LGP has transformed the Bismarck Forest Corridor Provinces—Madang, Morobe, Eastern Highlands, Simbu, and Jiwaka. Through strategic partnerships and integrating traditional knowledge, the program empowers local communities to lead conservation efforts and drive positive change. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, LGP recently hosted a Pause and Reflection Workshop in Port Moresby, marking a significant milestone and setting the stage for a two-year extension. The program will continue to strengthen community capacity, enhance conservation efforts, and address climate change.
Join us in celebrating the success of USAID LGP and its ongoing commitment to protecting Papua New Guinea’s unique biodiversity and promoting sustainable livelihoods!

21/07/2024

Up to 197 coffee farmers who stand as guardians of the Yopno, Uruwa and Som (YUS) Conservation Area, in Morobe, Papua New Guinea, are a step closer to establishing coffee cooperatives.
The farmers recently participated in training facilitated by the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP) and funded by the USAID Lukautim Graun Program (LGP). The training aimed to enhance farmer knowledge and skills to establish and manage their own coffee cooperatives. Agricultural cooperatives enhance smallholder farmers' participation in the agri-food value chain by providing collective strength, improving resource efficiency, facilitating market access, and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Following the training, three cooperative groups were formed and board of directors was elected. The groups can now lodge applications for registration of their cooperatives with the PNG Commerce and Trade Office. As stewards of the YUS Conservation Area, home to the endangered Matschie's tree kangaroo, the establishment of coffee cooperatives is a significant milestone in providing alternative livelihoods for people in the area.

19/07/2024

Madang province is headed towards a more financially inclusive future thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Madang Provincial Government and the Centre of Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI). Facilitated through USAID’s PNG Lukautim Graun Program, this MOU and partnership aims to make financial services accessible to all community members, especially those in remote and rural areas. Through collaboration with CEFI's expertise and the Madang Provincial Government's strategic vision, this partnership seeks to improve financial literacy, increase access to banking services, and promote sustainable economic development throughout the region. The MOU includes include financial literacy training, accessible banking in remote areas, and policies for inclusive economic growth.

27/06/2024

Stakeholders from the Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the Provincial Department of Commerce are meeting at Madang Resort to advance financial inclusion services. If Madang signs the MOU, it will become the sixth province and the first in the Momase region to partner with CEFI. Busa Jeremiah Wenogo, Manager of Special Projects at CEFI, highlighted Madang's potential for significant financial and economic inclusion, urging the provincial government to establish a dedicated division for this initiative. This meeting, facilitated by USAID PNG under its LPG Program and coordinated by DT Global, aims to sustain financial inclusion training and services.

A consultation meeting is being held at the Madang resort between Centre for Excellence in Financial Inclusion (CEFI) and the Provincial Department of Commerce for a way forward in financial inclusive services.

11/06/2024

June celebrates World Environment Day, Coral Triangle Day, and World Oceans Day, highlighting global efforts to protect our planet& ecosystems!

The USAID Lukautim Graun Program (USAID PNG -LGP) proudly joined a spectacular celebration that combined World Environment Day, Coral Triangle Day, and World Oceans Day at the beautiful Meiwok village in Bogia district! Hosted by Meiwok Elementary School in partnership with WWF PNG Marine Program, the event centred around the powerful themes of Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience, and Balancing Conservation and Blue Economy. The event included students, teachers, parents and guests participating in several events such as tree planting, environmental quizzes, poem readings, and traditional and contemporary dances. The USAID PNG LGP works to safeguard Papua New Guinea’s biodiversity from threats like industrial development and population growth.

11/06/2024

"Lukautim graun" means “protect the environment” in Tok Pisin.
The USAID PNG Lukautim Graun Program (LGP) aims to protect Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) rich biodiversity, which is under increasing threat from industrial development, population growth, and other anthropogenic factors. Follow us on our new page to learn about how USAID PNG LGP protects PNG's diverse enviroment and supports economic development and livelihoods!!