02/06/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ญ๐
World Vision Solomon Islands (WVSI) officially launched the WOVEN Programme, comprising the Youth Social and Entrepreneurship Development Plus Child Protection (YSED+CP) and the Solomon Islands Ending Violence Against Pikinini (SIEVAP) Phase II Projects, in Auki, Malaita Province, yesterday - Monday, June 1.
Funded by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), the programme is a continuation of Phase I of the same initiatives implemented in Malaita Province.
It will be delivered over the next five years across communities in East, North, and Central Malaita, aiming to strengthen youth leadership, entrepreneurship, economic resilience, family wellbeing, and child protection systems to ensure children and young people thrive in safe and supportive environments.
The launch brought together representatives from the Malaita Provincial Government, New Zealand High Commission- Honiara, Solomon Islands, government ministries, implementing partners, faith leaders, youth representatives, civil society organizations, and community leaders, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the lives of children and young people in Malaita Province.
Speaking at the launch, WVSI Operations Manager Irene Marbun said the WOVEN Programme represents an integrated approach that combines sustainable livelihoods, youth engagement, and child protection to create lasting change for communities.
โThis project reflects our commitment to youth and children by bringing together sustainable livelihoods, youth engagement, and child protection. As we move forward into a new phase, we are building on strong foundations and investing in the next generation of leaders who will drive positive change in their communities,โ Ms. Marbun said.
Ms. Marbun highlighted that the new programme builds on the successes achieved under Phase I, where young people participating in the IMPACT+ Club model completed 26 Community Service-Learning Projects across 20 communities in East and North Malaita.
These youth-led initiatives included the construction of five civic centres, a recreational house, seven Jacobโs ladders, public sanitation facilities, household sanitation systems, community notice boards, and improvements to a community water system. Together, these projects improved access to community services, strengthened local infrastructure, and benefited thousands of community members.
She also noted significant progress in child protection outcomes during Phase I, including increased awareness of reporting services for violence against children, stronger engagement of parents and caregivers, and the establishment of community-based referral networks and localized case management systems that contribute to safer environments for children.
Representing the New Zealand High Commission - Solomon Islands and the New Zealand Government, Acting Development Counsellor Luke Kiddle reaffirmed New Zealandโs commitment to supporting Solomon Islands communities through long-term partnerships that invest in children and youth.
โNew Zealand believes that children and young people are the future of our countries. We are proud to support this programme in partnership with World Vision Solomon Islands to strengthen youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, leadership, and safe environments where children can grow free from violence,โ Mr. Kiddle said.
He also highlighted the importance of locally led development, a key approach in New Zealandโs partnership with Solomon Islands. He said that locally led development recognizes the vital role of communities in identifying their own needs, priorities, and goals. It empowers communities to assess and understand their development challenges and determine how support can best be provided, ensuring that development initiatives are guided by local voices, knowledge, and decision-making.
Mr. Kiddle also acknowledged the contributions of implementing partners, including Malaita Christian Care Centre (MCCC), Kastom Gaden Association (KGA), Youth Entrepreneurs Council Solomon Islands (YECSI), and Dreamcast Theatre Solomon Islands, whose expertise will support programme implementation across Malaita Province.
Malaita Provincial Premier Hon. Elijah Asilaua welcomed the launch and expressed appreciation to the New Zealand Government and World Vision Solomon Islands for their continued investment in the development of Malaita communities.
โYour work in communities, particularly in the areas of youth development, livelihoods, education, health, and child protection, continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our people. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that this programme will deliver for our communities,โ Premier Asilaua said.
The WOVEN Programme represents a collaborative effort between government, development partners, community organizations, faith leaders, and local communities to address the challenges facing children and young people while creating pathways for economic opportunity, leadership development, and community resilience.
The launch demonstrated a shared commitment among government agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, faith leaders, and communities to work together towards creating safer, stronger, and more prosperous futures for children and young people across Malaita Province.
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New Zealand High Commission- Honiara, Solomon Islands
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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