GGGI and UNCDF expand their partnership to support small green businesses in the Pacific

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) signed an amendment to their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand areas of cooperation on 29th June. The document was signed virtually by Gerard O’Donoghue, on behalf of GGGI Director General and Mr. Bram Peters, Regional Manager-Pacific of UNCDF.

The partnership aims to strengthen small businesses’ investment readiness and boost the existing support available for digital and green entrepreneurship in the Pacific.

“We are excited that under this expanded agreement, UNCDF, GGGI, and our existing partners can strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem across the region, to support innovative digital and green entrepreneurs to thrive and adapt,” said Ms. Esther Bates, GGGI Senior Program Management Officer.

UNCDF’s Pacific Digital Economy Programme aims to stimulate inclusive innovation. The program’s approach is to equip start-ups, SMEs, and other actors with the capacity and network to build new businesses and develop innovative digital services for an inclusive digital economy.

Accelerating innovation in digital financial services with new and improved solutions has the potential to impact the lives of low- and moderate-income Pacific Islanders, especially those affected the most by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) program is funded by the Qatar Fund for Development and implemented by GGGI. PGEN aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) and small green businesses – contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

The amendment to the MoU expands areas of cooperation between GGGI and UNCDF with a specific focus on improving south-south cooperation and evidence-based knowledge sharing on green and digital entrepreneurship, green growth, and sustainable development. The MoU amendment is effective from the date of signing until 1st September 2024. GGGI and UNCDF will continue to communicate effectively through regular consultations to revise ongoing activities and identify opportunities for new collaborations.