By: L.N. Reklai
Three Palauan community organizations have been awarded Australia’s Direct Grant Program, marking the 30th anniversary of the initiative. Australian Ambassador Richelle Turner announced the grants, which have been increased to $20,000 per recipient this year, a change made in response to community feedback on the program’s previous $10,000 limit.
The recipients include the Palau Sailing Association, Ngaramecherocher Men’s Group, and the Community Regeneration Organization. Each group plans to use the funding to promote traditional culture, environmental sustainability, and community development.
The Palau Sailing Association, represented by Sam Scott and Joe Chilton, will use the grant to promote traditional sailing. Their project includes building a traditional sailing canoe and creating a mold for fiberglass canoes to ensure longevity. Scott emphasized the importance of preserving Palauan sailing traditions for future generations.
“Our goal is to build a wooden canoe and a fiberglass model that will last longer and be used for teaching the younger generation,” said Chilton. He added that the project will provide hands-on learning experiences for youth, allowing them to witness traditional canoe carving and sailing.
President Surangel Whipps Jr. expressed his support for the sailing initiative, recalling the excitement of witnessing the sailing competition during Palau’s Independence Day celebrations. Whipps also thanked Australia for its continued support of Palau’s development and the broader Pacific region, noting that the new direct flight service from Brisbane to Palau, announced by Qantas, is another step in strengthening ties between the two nations.
“We are truly grateful for this program, and it reflects how our countries are coming closer together,” Whipps said. He emphasized Australia’s leadership in fostering unity and collaboration in the Pacific, especially through initiatives like the patrol boat program, which contributes to Palau’s security.
Ngaramecherocher, a men’s group from Melekeok, is focusing on a giant clam farming project aimed at addressing climate change, enhancing food security, and boosting eco-tourism. According to Omar Basilius, the project will help reseed degraded reef areas and offer an economic boost to the community.
“Our goal is to provide both restoration and production while addressing climate change and strengthening community cohesion,” Basilius explained. He credited the grant for enabling their efforts to blend tradition with modern environmental practices.
The third recipient, the Community Regeneration Organization, is focused on compost production to support local farmers and manage organic waste. The group has been working since 2011 to develop sustainable agricultural practices in the community.
“We are now able to improve our facility and better serve local farmers, thanks to this support from Australia,” said a Community Regeneration Organization representative, who also noted that the grant will help the organization expand its composting operations to meet growing community demand.
Ambassador Turner praised the diversity of the projects, noting that they reflect the program’s flexible nature. The Direct Grant Program, which began in 2020 after the establishment of the Australian Embassy in Palau, provides annual grants to community-based organizations for development projects across sectors such as agriculture, environmental protection, and cultural preservation.
Turner added that Australia is committed to strengthening its ties with Palau through initiatives that support grassroots development.
The 2024 awards mark the 24th, 25th, and 26th grants distributed under the program, and Turner expressed optimism about the long-term impact these projects will have on Palau’s cultural and economic landscape.