Suva, Fiji – The UN Development Programme handed over training equipment to the Fijian Government through the Ministry of Local Government in Suva today. This is part of the Markets for Change project's (M4C) support for online learning and capacity building trainings for market vendors and farmers in urban and rural areas.

The equipment, which includes 20 projectors, 20 pull-up screens, and 20 hard drives, will directly benefit 3,000 to 4,000 urban and rural market vendor farmers who trade from Fiji's 13 municipal markets, with a focus on rural women market vendor farmers. This assistance will ensure that beneficiaries of the M4C project have the resources they need to constantly learn new ideas, methods, or techniques in order to better serve their families and communities.

UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Deputy Resident Representative Ms. Yemesrach Workie said, "This support will contribute positively towards the implementation of inclusive growth policies and strategies aimed at increasing financial inclusion and reaching out to vulnerable groups such as rural women market vendors and farmers." 

She emphasized that the M4C Project focuses on improving the socioeconomic security of female market vendors through better financial competencies and record keeping, allowing them to better leverage business and financial access opportunities. The interventions were further expanded to ensuring farmers are supported to improve agriculture productivity through product development and sales.

“Fiji will not reach its full potential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals unless all partners, donors, including UN agencies, and communities fully engage and invest their resources (financial and human resources, and capacity development of the vulnerable communities),” Ms. Workie added.

The handover is an opportunity for UNDP to strengthen its partnership with the Fijian Government, project partners, and donors, furthering its commitment to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all by adhering to the blueprint of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Markets for Change (M4C) project is a UN Women initiative in collaboration with the UNDP. It is a six-year initiative that aims to make marketplaces in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu safe, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environments that promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Markets for Change has the backing of the governments of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. 

For more information, please contact: 
Akosita Talei, Research and Communications, Inclusive Growth, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji, Email: akosita.ratumaimuri@undp.org Tel: +679 8388282