GRASSROOTS communities and women-led organisations in the Pacific are missing out on climate finance, despite being among the most affected.
This was emphasised at the Climate Talk: Navigating Climate Risks Talanoa Dialogue in Suva, where speakers urged more inclusive, accessible funding.
Ilisapeci Masivesi, Director of Programmes, Impact and Partnerships at OXFAM in the Pacific, said one of the key challenges is ensuring that funding reaches communities at the frontlines.
“We must make sure that funds reach the community level, especially the hardest-to-reach areas,” she said.
Masivesi explained that high costs, logistical challenges, and risk-averse funding systems often prevent resources from reaching remote populations.
She noted that while funding may exist at national and international levels, gaps in coordination, tracking, and delivery mean many vulnerable communities still do not benefit.
“There are communities that are not accessing resources, despite funding being available,” she said.
Also speaking at the dialogue, Virisila Buadromo, Co-Lead of the Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights in Asia and the Pacific, raised concerns about the limited funding reaching women and grassroots organisations.
She noted that only a tiny share of development funds reach women-led and community groups, though they play a vital role in climate response.
Buadromo highlighted the importance of investing in local and collective systems, noting that grassroots organisations are often best placed to deliver rapid and effective responses.
She pointed to alternative funding models that prioritise speed and accessibility, including mechanisms that can disburse funds within 48 hours.
“We need to ensure resources reach those on the frontlines of the climate crisis,” she said.
Participants agreed that climate finance must both increase and become more equitable, prioritising funding for communities, especially women and marginalised groups.
They stressed that without inclusion, resilience efforts in the Pacific will fall short.