Context:  

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) through the  PEUMP programme  and with support by  Alluvium Consulting led the BIEM initiative to strengthen sustainable management of Fiji’s coastal and marine ecosystems. The BIEM initiative focused on developing gender, social inclusion and human rights-sensitive ecosystem management plans for Navua catchment and Beqa lagoon. SPREP worked with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in Fiji to deliver their priorities to halt the decline of biodiversity and strengthen the sustainable management of their coastal and marine ecosystems through an integrated ridge-to-reef management approach.  

The integrated ecosystem management plan identifies realistic activities to increase the natural adaptive capacity of coastal habitats to promote human health and poverty reduction, support sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s conservation priorities. This is a new initiative that will seek to complement and strengthen existing activities in the Navua catchment and Beqa Lagoon area.  

Change Process: 

1. Development of Management Plans 

In Vanuatu and Fiji, the SPREP team worked with government staff to identify areas to be addressed for integrated ecosystem management planning. Once sites were selected in each country, consultants were engaged to conduct necessary background studies and consultations to develop ecosystem-based adaptation-based integrated ecosystem management plans. In Vanuatu, Griffith University, Birdlife International, and Vanuatu Fisheries Department were engaged to complete IEMPs on Malekula and Pentecost Islands.  

In FijiAlluvium Consultants and the BIEM SPREP team with the support of the respective provincial councils (Serua, Rewa and Namosi) facilitated targeted consultations in the three provinces to share project consultation, socioeconomic assessment, consultation on technical reports (ESRAM, ESVOA, EbA and BIORAP) and draft IEMP.   A total of 606 beneficiaries were consulted across 53 communities, and most of the consultations were facilitated at district level with representatives from the targeted communities invited.  

In Vanuatu, Birdlife and Vanuatu Fisheries Department conducted rapid biodiversity assessments in three communities in Malekula and one community in North Pentecost. Griffith University conducted a series of community consultations and resources assessments at each site before returning twice to present draft management plans and final plans.  

2. BIEM National Steering Committee 

The National Steering Committee (NSC) directed BIEM initiatives (Fiji and Vanuatu) especially on sites to focus on for ridge-to-reef EbA planning.  This ensured supportive oversight and involvement from key stakeholders who are members of the NSC.  For Fiji, the selection of Navua catchment and Beqa Island came after a lengthy delay of 2 years due to a change in the selection of sites to reach a decision of Beqa sites, and further delay in the signing of the letter of agreement, then COVID lockdown adding to the mix.   

3. International and Local teams (consultants) 

In both countries, the sites were selected partly on the absence of other initiatives in the areas. As such, there was no natural or existing logical partner to work with who had existing networks and community liaison capacity. BIEM recruited consultants to complete the activities. 

The selected consultants for both countries came from Australia and brought academic and professional expertise to the processes. They were limited  in their ability to engage with communities by distance and local consultants were recruited to support them.  

Results and Impact: 

1. ​​Engagement and Support of the ​Country National Steering Committees: ​​ 

In Fiji and Vanuatu, the BIEM Initiative ridge to reef activities were guided by National Steering Committees, chaired by the respective Departments of Environment. Regular quarterly or semi-annual meetings provided a platform for technical updates, presentations, and joint planning. Through these forums, government departments actively participated in technical discussions on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), planning, and Nature-based Solutions (NbS). This engagement not only strengthened cross-sector collaboration but also ensured that national decision-making processes were informed by evidence-based guidance, resulting in stronger institutional ownership, high-level government support, and integration of EbA and NbS priorities into country activities. 

2. Strengthened Community Awareness and capacity:  

The Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) planning allowed communities​     ​to understand the impacts and opportunities for Nature-based Solutions to increase their adaptive capacity and resilience. 

The EbA processes in Fiji (Navua/Beqa) and Vanuatu (Malekula/Pentecost) provided communities with critical baseline data and analysis to make decisions on future development projects. The EbA Options for nature-based solutions (NbS) projects, evaluated for local context and cost-effectiveness, are provided to communities and government agencies. The communities can  utilize these analyses and data in the future to make community-level decisions and respond to development proposals that may come from within or outside the communities. 

Results of the Nursery projects in Fiji:  

The BIEM project engaged on multiple occasions with local community members to build their understanding of EbA and NbS as well as planning processes for their communities and their issues. In​​ Fiji, this includes the construction of 4 native-tree nurseries on Beqa and Yanuca islands. 

These nurseries are delivering tangible results: 

• Increased awareness and ownership: Communities, especially women, now actively lead restoration initiatives and decision-making. 

• Strengthened technical capacity: Training improved skills in nursery setup, seed collection, propagation, nursery operations, composting, and recordkeeping, resulting in healthier seedlings and more systematic practices. 

• Inclusive decision-making: In Dakuni and Yanuca, women’s preferences influenced nursery site selection and seedlings species choice, ensuring food, cultural, and shoreline protection needs were addressed. 

• Climate resilience in practice: Climate-resilient and culturally significant species, such as vesi and dakua, have been reintroduced to island ecosystems, supporting food security and erosion control. 

• New leadership and economic opportunities: In Soliyaga, Yanuca and Dakuni, women have gained confidence in tasks such as seed preparation, nursery bed construction, and transplanting. They have taken the lead in day-to-day nursery management and initiating discussions on expanding nurseries and generating income through seedling sales.  

The nurseries have catalyzed a shift in community attitudes—transforming awareness into action and embedding NbS into everyday livelihoods and long-term resilience planning.  

3. Strengthened Fisheries Staff and Institutional Capacity:  

​​​​​In Vanuatu, the BIEM Initiative directly engaged government agencies to lead and implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) activities alongside consultants, ensuring stronger national ownership and institutional learning. The Department of Environment Protection and Conservation (DEPC), Vanuatu Fisheries Department (VFD), and Department of Forestry all played active roles. DEPC and VFD supported terrestrial and marine BIORAPs, Forestry was contracted to carry out bamboo assessments and nursery construction, while VFD also led training on coastal fisheries enforcement, data collection, and the construction of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) for fisheries management. 

This hands-on involvement gave staff the opportunity to develop technical skills, gain confidence, and prepare for independent implementation in the future. Several VFD staff participated in BIORAP field assessments and photography training, which they immediately applied in practice. 

“I was able to apply around 90% of the things I learnt in the photography workshops in the recent BIORAP field trip to Malekula. In the past, I used a camera to just capture random shots… now I focus on images that tell the story of our fieldwork, the challenges we faced, and the species we documented for identification. The best part was being able to apply these skills in the field right away, including ensuring consent forms were filled out properly.” 
— Dean Wotlolan, Conservation Officer, Vanuatu DEPC 

The BIORAP work in Tisiri Lagoon also highlighted urgent threats such as sedimentation from human and animal activity, which could make fish unsafe for consumption. For the first time, the BIORAP field team was composed entirely of Ni-Vanuatu technical experts, showcasing the country’s growing capacity. 

“I am happy to see our field scientists taking the lead in this assessment. They were young graduates, excited and determined despite the challenges. This has shown me their potential and the importance of collaboration between government, NGOs, and private institutions. The BIORAP assessment on Malekula Island provides valuable baseline data for five biota groups and has paved the way for more institutional cooperation in the future.” 
— Rolenas Tavue Baereleo, Principal Biodiversity and Conservation Officer, Vanuatu DEPC 

Capacity-building also extended into planning and consultation processes. Asenaca Salailagi Vakasevuraki, contracted to assist with the Integrated Ecosystem Management Plan (IEMP) in Fiji, observed a shift in how provinces engaged with biodiversity issues: 

“A key lesson learned was the mutual respect shown by the three provinces in articulating biodiversity and conservation issues. This fostered stronger decision-making in support of conservation efforts, with a focus on integrating traditional knowledge into plans. By translating the IEMP into local languages and simplifying technical jargon into practical steps, communities are now better equipped to implement actions directly.” 

During verification workshops, communities showcased their deep ecological knowledge while also raising critical concerns — from encroachment by commercial companies to legislative gaps in protecting water catchment buffer zones. This reflects not only improved technical capacity but also stronger community advocacy for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services vital to food and water security. 

Lessons Learned:  

• National Steering Committees in Fiji and Vanuatu provided critical oversight, helping align ridge-to-reef ecosystem planning with national priorities. Their active participation in technical discussions on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) built institutional ownership, fostered cross-sector collaboration, and increased the likelihood that EbA priorities will be integrated into future policy and planning processes. 

• Consultations with over 600 beneficiaries across 53 communities in Fiji and with provincial councils in both countries highlighted the importance of broad, inclusive participation. Community feedback, including traditional ecological knowledge, directly shaped the Integrated Ecosystem Management Plans (IEMPs), which were translated into local languages to ensure accessibility and community ownership. 

• Direct involvement of government staff (e.g., Vanuatu Fisheries Department, DEPC, Forestry) in BIORAP assessments, training, and enforcement activities significantly strengthened technical skills and built confidence to conduct future assessments independently. Quotes from staff confirmed that applying new skills immediately in the field reinforced learning and increased self-reliance. 

• Women’s leadership in nursery establishment and management in Fiji demonstrated how gender-responsive approaches can generate new opportunities. Women influenced species selection based on food security, cultural value, and shoreline protection, took the lead in day-to-day operations, and even initiated discussions on income generation, linking environmental restoration to women’s empowerment and economic aspirations. 

• International consultants brought technical expertise, but meaningful engagement was only achieved through collaboration with local consultants, government departments, and communities. This combination ensured that scientific knowledge was complemented by local ecological knowledge, resulting in practical, context-appropriate solutions while also building the capacity of emerging Ni-Vanuatu and Fijian scientists to lead future work.