A total of 39 integrated Village Development Plans (VDPs) is expected to be developed following the two weeks training currently undertaken in Cakaudrove Province.

This part of Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) Fiji’s Yadrayadravi accountability and monitoring program final activities.

The three-year pilot program, which will come to end in November, is aimed at improving capacities of community-based organizations in Fiji in order to foster governance and accountability.

Funded by the European Union and implemented ADRA Germany through ADRA Fiji, the project will also help realize the aim of the Itaukei Affairs Board.

Itaukei Affairs Board director operations Livai Siga said: “We are working closely with ADRA Fiji in this project as we aim to develop strategic development plans for all 1071 villages across Fiji as it will directly impact the lives of the people.”

A total of 134 integrated VDPs are expected to be successfully developed at the end of this project as well as the establishment of over 134 community budget monitoring committees to support village headsmen in overseeing the implementation of such plans, and support them in seeing that the basic understanding of the concept of accountability and transparency is seen practiced in the village process.

Dawa village clan leader Ilaitia Ganita said he was looking forward to reaping the benefits of the training.

“I have been involved in a lot of training before but they cannot be compared to this one as it has more meaning and we can easily relate to it,” Mr Ganita said.

“From this training, we have been able to identify our weaknesses not only in the traditional leadership but also in our collaboration with the church and government.”

Yadrayadravi Accountability and Monitoring project manager Pauliasi Tuilau said that through this project, they are advocating the impact of the eight principles of effective leadership, accountability and transparency in the communities.

“This is an empowerment program to actually build this network from the village level to the district level, then to the provincial level and on to national level – ensuring that communication flows all throughout in order to improve the way plans are carried out in the communities,” Mr Tuilau said.

The project was implemented in 2018.

Feedback: shratikan@fijisun.com.fj