More than 7,000 households across Bougainville now have environmentally friendly and affordable lighting following the distribution of solar lighting kits under the Bougainville Partnership’s Community Government Institutional Strengthening Project (CGISP).
The distribution of the solar lighting kits, including to households in the remote Atolls region, was funded by the Australian and New Zealand Governments in partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
For the 2,693 households in Bougainville’s atolls, receiving a household solar light kit reduces the need to purchase kerosene for their lamps, or fuel for their electric generators – which can be costly, have health side effects and are dependent on shipping services to the outer islands.
The CGISP aims to support Community Government leaders to work together to deliver tangible development projects that meet priority needs in their communities.
The program has achieved this by providing training to equip elected representatives with essential skills in project management, and inclusive decision-making.
Between June 2023 and December 2024, 52 community government leaders (18 women and 34 men) received community government executive training, and 251 community government members (79 women and 172 men) were trained in governance and project management.
This training has led to the identification and implementation of high-priority community development projects, including water collection sheds, ventilated pit toilets, community market structures, assembly areas and solar lighting.
Through the Bougainville Partnership, the CGISP is implementing the distribution and installation of solar lighting kits across 11 wards in Bougainville. As well as the household solar lighting kits, the project has delivered six solar micro-grids and more than 200 solar street lighting kits.
Twenty recent graduates from Bougainville Technical College were part of the team that carried out surveys in the selected wards and helped install the solar light installations, providing the graduates with valuable work experience.
Chairlady for the Peit Community Government, Virginia Rema said, “Before the valuable leadership training, funded through the Bougainville Partnership’s CGISP – I had a limited understanding in my roles and responsibilities.”
“We are empowered to actively consult with our community members on important development infrastructure requirements for immediate intervention, and to source funding for these,” said Ms Rema.
“After delivering the mini solar grid project for the Gagan Health centre, this solidified the people’s trust and confidence in the leadership’s performance, hence the people have even asked me to participate in the ABG Regional Elections,” she added.
The Australian and New Zealand Governments, in partnership with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, are proud to be working with local government leaders like Ms. Rema to enable inclusive, tangible service delivery, while strengthening Bougainville’s second-tier of government.
Distribution of solar lighting kits on the Nissan (Nehan) Atoll.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100