Page 36 - Islands Business May 2023

its ecosystems is critical.” The session featured well-known Pacific entrepreneurs and
Obed’s and Igo’s fellow ClimAccelerator participants are: industry experts – Kenneth Katafono, Founder of TraSeable
• Defiant Robotics (Tonga) Solutions, Lagi Fisher, National Coordinator of the Financial
Manufacturing solar-powered 3D-printed robots that will collect Management Counsellors Association of Fiji; Eseta Nadakuitavuki,
ocean waste and plastics that are reused to print more robots. the Chairwoman of Fiji’s Women Entrepreneurs Business Council,
• GenOrganics (Fiji) and Arpana Pratap, Director of Blue Economy at the Pacific Islands
Producing organic fertiliser from seaweed, fish meal and other Development Forum – who shared their insights and experiences on
organic materials as a substitute for chemical fertilisers. developing and scaling sustainable solutions for the blue and green
• Haleta Seaweed (Solomon Islands) economy.
Creating opportunities and livelihoods for women and youth in rural Conservation International & Haya Development also organized
communities by farming seaweed while creating a carbon sink. a session on balancing ocean conservation and livelihoods and
• Howarig Traders (Papua New Guinea) understanding the business impacts on ocean conservation through
Developing a blockchain payments solution for carbon trading practical examples and tools.
benefits to flow transparently to landowners with mangroves and On the last day of the event, a Demo Day was organized for
forestry. ClimAccelerator participants to pitch their solutions to a panel of
• Kiribati Blue Marine Solution (Kiribati) judges, investors, and industry experts (including representatives
Providing affordable, reliable, sustainable desalination technology from United Nations Development Programme, International Labour
and solar/wind off-grid systems for affected communities and Organisation, Matanataki, AIS Forum and GGGI), explaining how they
households, and marine vessels. harness local resources to adapt to the climate crisis and contribute
• Samoa Women’s Association of Growers (Samoa) to regeneration and sustainability of ocean ecosystems. Excitement
Promoting women in agriculture to implement natural farming was palpable in the air as participants presented their pitches.
practices and small business development through seaweed Softspoken Obed took out the coveted first place, impressing the
fertiliser. judges with the business viability and the potential of his pilot of
• Mangaliliu Marine Coastal Rehabilitation Project (Vanuatu) sea cucumber farming site in collaboration with a marine biologist
Providing services in marine tourism and conservation through from Japan. He was awarded EUR 8,000 in funding for his business,
a turtle hatchery, coral and mangrove re-planting for endangered in addition to a year-long membership to Greenhouse Co-working
species. virtual community.
When asked what the win meant to him and his business, Obed
Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands Winner & Runner Ups with Katerina Syngellakis - GGGI Pacific Regional Director & Shaheen Ali – Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Trade,
Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications said “I am deeply grateful to have won first place in the Blue
Economy ClimAccelerator program. This recognition is not just for
Building a Sustainable Blue me, but for the entire community of Emae, in the Shepherd Islands
and our chiefs as stewards and protectors of our ocean resources
and sustainable livelihoods. The prize money will help us expand
Economy in the Pacific Islands our efforts and empower more women to become involved in our
mariculture enterprise.”
Igo, along with Mele Mauala of Samoa Women’s Association
of Growers placed runner-up at the Prize Award/business
pitch competition and were each awarded EUR 6,000 as well as
Obed Timakata, from Makatea Village in Emae Island, Vanuatu, with the amazing locals who are the true custodians of this marine Greenhouse Co-working virtual community memberships.
has dedicated his life to preserving the ocean and the life it sustains. paradise.” Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mele said: “Despite the
As the Director of Organic Fish + Farm Mariculture Enterprise, Obed Almost 98% of the Pacific region is ocean. The ocean and its Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in the Pacific Islands Finalists, Winner & Runner Ups diversity of the countries and cultures represented in our cohort
has been instrumental in promoting sustainable, regenerative, and extensive resources are central to the lives and future prosperity we are unified in our purpose which is to conserve, to innovate and
climate-responsive marine species that ensure food and nutritional of Pacific Island peoples. Thousands of coastal communities across These Blue Economy enterprises have benefited from the to be entrepreneurs who inspire and we celebrate this opportunity
security while also creating employment opportunities, particularly the region rely on the ocean for their livelihoods and food security. ClimAccelerator program by building and strengthening their because we know this is the first step of many to making sure that we
for women. Pacific communities and peoples reply on the Blue Economy. business plans through weekly online learning sessions, mentorship can ensure that we inspire others in our country to do even more.”
Obed is one of nine participants from different Pacific Island The Blue Economy is about creating sustainable economic growth and coaching as well as market and investor linkages designed to Mr. Shaheen Ali, the Permanent Secretary for Fiji’s Ministry
nations, including Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, Tonga, from the ocean, while also protecting the health of the ocean and its support participants in building viable business plans. of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and
Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, who graduated from the Blue ecosystems. In support of developing a sustainable Blue Economy in Building market linkages and connections to investors is crucial Communications, presented the awards to participants, along with
Economy ClimAccelerator program. This five-month business the Pacific, the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) launched the for entrepreneurs in the Pacific Islands, where lack of access to Ms. Katerina Syngellakis, Regional Director of GGGI Pacific. In his
incubator program, offered by the Global Green Growth Institute Blue Economy ClimAccelerator in partnership with EIT Climate-KIC capital and market linkages can be a major barrier to starting and remarks Mr. Ali said, “We as a region are capable of coming up with
(GGGI), provided Obed and his fellow participants with a unique and with funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade growing a business. The ClimAccelerator program culminated solutions collectively to address one of the greatest challenges faced
opportunity to enhance their knowledge and business solutions of Ireland (‘Irish Aid’). in a 3-day event held in Suva, Fiji, where participants were given by our people, and that is the survival of our ocean which sustains
around the blue economy. ”The impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, increased storm the platform to connect with potential investors and partners and us,“ Mr Ali said.
During the program, Obed met Igo Gari, the founder of Hiri frequency and intensity, and changes in ocean chemistry are all having showcase their business plans and ideas. No participants left Suva empty-handed. Along with newfound
Coral PNG. Igo’s business in Hiri District in Papua New Guinea significant impacts on the region’s communities and economies,” The event also included a ‘talanoa’ panel discussion organized connections, inspiration and confidence, all the other participants
collaborates with local communities to restore dying and damaged said Daniel Muñoz-Smith, GGGI Country Representative for Fiji, by GGGI and Archipelagic & Island States Forum (AIS) on access were awarded the finalist prizes of EUR 5,000 each to invest in their
reefs by growing diverse and resilient corals and transplanting them Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu. “At the same time, the ocean is a crucial to finance challenges and opportunities for blue and green businesses.
into threatened reefs. resource for the region, providing food, livelihoods and cultural entrepreneurs in the Pacific.
Igo shared, “Coral reef restoration has become my life’s passion, heritage to millions of people, providing support to entrepreneurs
and this program has equipped us with a valuable toolkit not only who are seeking to build businesses that contribute to sustainable
to generate income by aiding nature’s recovery but also to connect economic growth, while also protecting the health of the ocean and For up-to-date information on related entrepreneurship programs for blue and
climate-related businesses, visit pacificgreenpreneurs.com and climatelaunchpad.org.

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