Fiji Council of Social Services demands direct climate funding for communities

The Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) is calling for climate funding to be channeled directly to communities most vulnerable to the climate crisis. FCOSS Executive Director Vani Catanasiga expressed concern that excessive bureaucracy is preventing funds from reaching those on the ground who need them most.

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And then we have all of these other structural issues, the power dynamics that come into play as well, that’s what we have to deal with if we’re going to talk about community-led adaptation.

Catanasiga highlighted that structural and governance challenges, including complex power dynamics, continue to hinder effective community-led adaptation initiatives. She emphasized the need for urgent reform within climate finance systems to ensure that vulnerable communities can access and benefit from adaptation funding efficiently.

In response, Krishneel Nand, Principal Environment Officer at Fiji's Ministry of Climate Change, acknowledged that financial constraints remain a significant obstacle. Nand stated that biodiversity conservation efforts require not only awareness but also substantial funding. The Ministry is actively seeking support from partners and donors to achieve its environmental goals.

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These efforts are great, but these are all of the warnings that FCOSS would like to share with our government colleagues: we also have to manage how we’re delivering work.

As global climate finance continues to increase, stakeholders emphasize that ensuring direct access for rural and frontline communities is paramount to effectively addressing the escalating risks posed by climate change. The current system's inefficiencies risk leaving the most exposed populations without the necessary resources for adaptation and resilience.

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One of the major challenges we face at the Ministry is the finances, so biodiversity conservation not only requires awareness, but it also requires funding. So, we are tapping into our partners, the donors, in terms of implementing our goals and targets.