Challenges
Climate change represents the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and well-being of the Pacific region and its people. In particular, the region is continuously affected by climate change threats that challenge sustainable development progress. Pacific islanders have huge economic and cultural significance, with economies centred on the oceans and agriculture. However, the risk of losing land and their exclusive economic zones due to climate change continues to create bigger challenges, especially for the most vulnerable groups.
Toward a Solution
To address the above challenge, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) launched the Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN), which aims at enhancing community resilience through building local capacities of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by promoting mitigation and adaptation solutions to climate change. It is a multi-year programme funded by the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) to support entrepreneurs in Kiribati, an LDC, and other countries in the Pacific such as Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. The project contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth). The project also contributes to the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) Priorities 2 (Agriculture, food security and rural development); 3 (Trade); 6 (Multiple crises and other emerging challenges) and 7 (Mobilizing financial resources for development and capacity-building).
PGEN is a 3-year project, which aims to promote green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) in developing their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals. Overall, the initiative is targeted at directly facilitating the creation of 3,130 green jobs in the countries over a 13-year period, and indirectly improving the lives of over 12,520 people in those employees’ households. The three main components of PGEN are the Regional Ecosystem, Greenpreneurs Incubator and Greenpreneurs Accelerator programmes.
The programme works with local institutions supporting green entrepreneurship at the national level and supporting entrepreneurship in the region, through networking and knowledge-sharing events in collaboration with stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region.
The incubator programme targets existing innovative early-stage green micro, small, and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) with demonstrated growth potential that are still in pursuit of a scalable and repeatable business model through localized virtual and physical training and courses, a mentorship programme, in-person events, and networking opportunities. Successful entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in a business competition to secure grant seed fund capital of US$5,000.
The incubator programme will consist of the following activities:
- 360 early-stage entrepreneurs
- Annual training programmes
- Pitch competition
- US$5,000 seeds grants
- Local mentorship programme
The accelerator programme will consist of the following activities:
- 16 growth stage entrepreneurs
- Networking & pitch events
- Local mentorship programmes
- Training programme
- Repayable grants up to US$50,000
The accelerator programme will target high-potential green enterprises in growth stage and offer interest-free loans in amounts up to US$50,000 as well as a structured programme for providing links with investors, training and mentorship programme, in-person events, and networking opportunities.
Greenpreneurs incubator and accelerator participants will also have the opportunity in year 3 of the project to be selected to participate in an exchange visit to Qatar to visit and engage with Qatari
