The Solomon Islands' Ministry of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) hosted a week‑long peer learning exchange with a high‑level delegation from Vanuatu’s Department of Local Authority, strengthening regional collaboration on decentralisation, risk‑informed development, and performance‑based provincial financing under Solomon Islands’ Provincial Capacity Development Fund (PCDF).
The programme, part of the Provincial Governance Strengthening Program (PGSP), brought together officials from both countries to share experiences, discuss best practices, and examine mechanisms for linking provincial funding to transparent financial processes and measurable service delivery outcomes.
The exchange focused on four key objectives: strengthening cooperation on risk‑informed development, exchanging success factors and risk mitigation strategies, promoting mutual learning on decentralised financing mechanisms using the PCDF, and documenting best practices to inform policy dialogue in Vanuatu.
Director General of MPGIS highlighted the value of addressing decentralisation and ensuring service delivery to communities. He thanked UNDP Governance for Resilience for funding the exchange and acknowledged the full participation of ministry staff.
“We truly appreciate this opportunity and are happy to be here,” he said. Reflecting on the exchange, he added: “I can see that provinces have been able to deliver local infrastructure and services more reliably by tying funding to transparent financial processes and clear performance standards. The shared experiences have taught us many lessons.”
Deputy Secretary for Governance Michael Pasikeni outlined Solomon Islands’ decade‑long experience piloting and scaling the PCDF. Since 2008, the fund has mobilised around SBD350 million in government and donor support, completing 1,600 capital projects across nine provinces. These investments have enhanced infrastructure and services in education, health, agriculture, sanitation, water supply, roads, electricity, bridges, and sports, creating more than 8,000 jobs in rural communities.
The programme has also strengthened governance outcomes. Two provinces have maintained clean audit reports for more than three consecutive years, and 56 per cent of provinces have moved out of the audit disclaimer zone, reflecting improved public financial management.
MPGIS showcased progress under the World Bank–funded Integrated Economic Development and Community Resilience (IEDCR) project, implemented in partnership with UNCDF and UNICEF. To date, 173 Ward Development Committees (WDCs) have been established, enabling communities to identify and implement micro‑projects that support climate adaptation and resilience.
Former PCDF Joint Oversight Committee member and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr. Melchior Mataki, emphasised the role of national leadership in aligning funding with local realities.
“Communities need to take charge of their own resilience, but they can’t do it alone,” he said. “When national frameworks align with local realities, and funding genuinely supports provincial delivery, systems become stronger and more sustainable.”
Permanent Secretary of MPGIS, Dr. Derek Futaiasi, underscored the importance of aligning national policy with provincial implementation. “We’re working on systems that set solid national standards while giving provinces the flexibility to find their own way,” he said. “When policies are aligned, and we invest in tools—such as digital systems—services reach people faster and public resources are used more effectively.”
Dr. Futaiasi closed the exchange by thanking the Vanuatu delegation for their participation. “We’ve learned a lot from each other about decentralised financing,” he said. “I’m excited to continue working together and translate these lessons into policies that strengthen resilience, transparency, and service delivery in our communities.”
The Vanuatu delegation was led by Director General Mr. Leith Veremaito and included officials from the Department of Local Authority, the Department of Strategic Planning, Policy and Aid Coordination, and a UNDP Sub‑regional Resilience Specialist. Solomon Islands participants included the MPGIS Permanent Secretary, his deputy secretaries, the Chief Technical Advisor of PGSP, senior officials from PGSP, IEDCR project management unit staff, and representatives from the World Bank and UNDP.
Delegates visited key PCDF-funded projects, including the Mataga bridge, the Agricultural Storage House, and a new provincial chamber under construction at Mamara, before returning to Vanuatu on December 11.
