The Tonga Climate Change Fund (TCCF) has reached an important milestone, with the Government of Tonga signing 32 Project Implementation Agreements under the Fund’s first funding cycle.
Signed in Nuku‘alofa on 18 August, the agreements enable 32 accredited entities to begin implementing locally led projects focused on climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, environmental protection and community preparedness across Tonga. The milestone marks the TCCF’s transition from establishing the Fund and selecting projects to financing practical climate action in communities.
Established under the Tonga Climate Change Fund Act 2021, the TCCF is Tonga’s national mechanism for mobilising and managing climate finance to support the country’s climate change and resilience priorities.
The Climate Finance Capacity Support Programme (CFCSP) has provided the TCCF with embedded personnel and short-term advisory support to strengthen the systems and capacity needed to operationalise and sustainably manage the Fund.
This support has contributed to strengthening governance, investment management, project assessment, community engagement and monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning (MERL). Recent progress has included the finalisation of the TCCF Investment Policy and the first meeting of the TCCF Investment Committee.
Under the leadership of Fund Adviser (now an Investment Consultant) Sione Fulivai the Fund has strengthened governance, accreditation processes and fund management systems, enabling the TCCF to move confidently from design to implementation. The then MERL Adviser Helen Fonua helped establish the monitoring and reporting systems required to demonstrate results and build confidence among stakeholders and development partners. Investment Adviser Jinita Prasad supported the development of investment policies and governance arrangements that will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fund.
The CFCSP also supported the continuity of engaging Melenaite Esera, Senior Climate Change Community Liaison Officer for Water and Sanitation, to support engagement with communities and accredited entities Senior Climate Change Technical Officer Poservima Havea to provide technical assessment and guidance and Senior Climate Change MERL Officer Uaisele Lomu to strengthen project-level monitoring and reporting processes, while TCCF Fund Assistant Annie Malolo supported the coordination and administration required to operationalise the Fund.
The first funding cycle involved consultation with 92 accredited entities, helping to build a pipeline of community-driven climate investments. The 32 agreements signed in August represent the first projects to move into implementation.
The signing ceremony was followed by a dialogue led by Tonga’s Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) with development partners on the TCCF’s longer-term role and the importance of sustaining and expanding climate finance for Tonga.
The milestone reflects Tonga’s continued investment in developing a nationally-managed climate finance mechanism that can direct resources towards national and community priorities. CFCSP will continue to support the TCCF as it strengthens its systems and moves into this next phase of implementation.
The CFCSP works with Pacific countries to scale-up delivery of their climate change priorities through increasing access to personnel and other support to help plan, access, deliver and report on climate finance. Funded by New Zealand, the programme operates in 15 Pacific countries and territories and responds to the unique needs and priorities identified by partner governments.
Read the Tonga Department of Climate Change announcement here.
Image caption: Director of Climate Change, MEIDECC, Ms Luisa Tuiafitu-Malolo; First Secretary, New Zealand High Commission, Esther Shaw; Ministry of Finance CEO, Kilisitina Tuaimei’api; UNDP Regional Gov4Res Project Manager, Nicola Glendening; MEIDECC CEO, Sione ‘Akauola; TCCF Investment Consultant, Sione Fulivai.
