Small Grant Funded 171 Projects Gave $12.6m Since 2018

PM Bainimarama said the scheme demonstrated Government’s commitment of leaving no one behind to ensure balanced growth and sustainable development.

The Small Grant Scheme has funded a total of 171 projects with a combined cost of $12.6 million since its establishment in 2018. This was revealed by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in his response to a written question from SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu during the last Parliament sitting which was uploaded to the Parliament website.

According to Mr Bainimarama the projects are ad-hoc which are not budgeted or accounted for by the relevant line-ministries in their annual budget.

He said the scheme has directly benefitted 100,000 Fijians by assisting rural communities through funding small scale income generating projects, education assistance, water and electricity supply, village and settlement developments and improvements to sanitation of community facilities.

Total projects funded;

■ January to July, 2018 - out of the $9 million budget allocated, 68 per cent or $6.2 million was utilised to fund 79 projects.

■ 2018/2019 financial year – out of the $9 million budget allocated, 58 per cent or $5.1 million was utilised to fund 69 projects.

■ 2019/2020 financial year – out of the $4 million budgeted, 36 per cent has been used so far which is equivalent to $1.3 million to fund 23 projects.

Mr Bainimarama said the scheme demonstrated Government’s commitment of leaving no one behind to ensure balanced growth and sustainable development.

He also noted that his office has reviewed the scheme guidelines and extended its scope to assist rural and disadvantaged communities.