July 23, 2026
Resilient Reefs Pasifika – Samoa Reef Resilience Hub equips grant recipients with the skills to deliver stronger locally-led conservation.
APIA, SAMOA (4.00pm, 23 July 2026) — Community leaders, women's committees, village councils, youth representatives and local organisations from across Samoa are strengthening the skills needed to deliver conservation projects that protect the country's reefs, livelihoods and coastal communities through the Resilient Reefs Pasifika – Samoa Reef Resilience Hub.
Delivered over two separate sessions, the first held this week from 21–23 July and the second taking place over 4-6 August 2026, the trainings will support the 16 organisations awarded small grants by the inaugural Samoa Reef Resilience Hub in June 2026.
Both workshops will deliver the same project design and management curriculum. These were conducted separately to cater to different groups of grant recipients, including community-based organisations, civil society organisations, and academic institutions, ensuring the training was relevant to their respective operational contexts.
The trainings equip grant recipients with the practical tools, systems and skills needed to successfully plan, implement, monitor and report on projects that strengthen reef resilience across Samoa.
With over 60 people participating in the trainings, who upon successfully completion will be awarded a Certificate in Project Design and Management, recognising the knowledge and practical competencies gained.
The first workshop, concluding today, involved participants from village councils, women's committees, community-based organisations from Sama’ilauano, Falease’ela, Safa’ato’a, Tafagamanu, Savaia and Matautu-Lefaga, including the Samoa Voyaging Society, and the National University of Samoa.
The second training workshop will involve community-based organisations from Fuailolo’o Mulifanua, Satuimalufilufi, Apolima-Uta, Apai-Uta, Salua Manono-Uta, Salua Manono-Tai, Apai-Tai and Samatau.
Leausalilo Leilani Duffy, Country Director at Conservation International Samoa said: "Healthy reefs depend on strong communities. By investing in local leadership and practical project management skills, we are helping ensure locally led conservation initiatives have the greatest possible impact for people and nature. These grants are only the beginning—the real success comes from empowering communities with the knowledge and confidence to turn their efforts into lasting results."
Participants will strengthen practical skills in project planning, good governance, financial and human resource management, implementation, monitoring and reporting, and environmental and social safeguards. These capabilities will help grant recipients manage their projects effectively, transparently, and accountably, meet funding requirements and deliver lasting benefits for Samoa's reefs, coastal communities and livelihoods.
The programme is being delivered by the Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental Organisations (SUNGO), with technical support from Conservation International, the lead implementing organisation for the Samoa Hub, with financial support from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
These trainings are a part of the Samoa Reef Resilience Hub's broader commitment to strengthening local capacity to protect Samoa's coral reefs and connected coastal ecosystems. Alongside grant funding, the Hub is investing in the knowledge, partnerships and leadership needed to deliver long-term conservation outcomes aligned with Samoa's national priorities for biodiversity, climate resilience and sustainable development.
ENDS
Media Contact
Taiatu Maria Satoa
Project Manager, Resilient Reefs Pasifika – Samoa Reef Resilience Hub
Conservation International Samoa
msatoa@conservation.org
About Resilient Reefs Pasifika – Samoa Reef Resilience Hub
The Resilient Reefs Pasifika – Samoa Reef Resilience Hub, also known simply as the Samoa Hub is a collaborative initiative supporting the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of Samoa’s coral reefs and connected ecosystems. The Hub integrates traditional knowledge, scientific evidence, and local leadership to address climate and human-induced threats to reefs while supporting biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods. Conservation International serves as the Samoa Hub Lead alongside a multi-stakeholder Steering Committee.
About Conservation International
Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
About Great Barrier Reef Foundation
The Great Barrier Reef Foundation brings people, science and funding together to protect and strengthen the Great Barrier Reef and global reefs, at the pace this decade demands.
To do this, the Foundation works across coral reefs, islands and coasts, convening researchers, Traditional Owners, industry, government and communities to design, test and scale solutions that help reefs adapt and recover in a changing climate.
This convening role means the Foundation can coordinate action at scale. With a proven track record in coordinating large-scale investment and collaboration, the Foundation turns innovation into real-world outcomes on coral reefs and shares solutions with reef communities across the Pacific and beyond.
Because a resilient Great Barrier Reef, and resilient reefs around the world, are still possible.