Search the site

The Climate Resilience Innovation Fund supports projects that develop, test, and scale innovative approaches to building the resilience of Pacific ecosystems and communities to climate change. The fund prioritises nature-based solutions that simultaneously address biodiversity loss and climate vulnerability, and encourages proposals that demonstrate genuine integration of indigenous knowledge with scientific approaches.

Eligible organisations include NGOs, community groups, academic institutions, and government agencies operating in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Multi-partner proposals are encouraged and may apply for up to the maximum grant value. All proposals must include a clear theory of change, baseline assessment, and monitoring framework that enables evaluation of both climate resilience and biodiversity outcomes.

Grants range from USD 100,000 to USD 500,000 over 24 to 36 months. A dedicated technical assistance facility supports applicants with concept development, partner identification, and proposal writing. PIRT member organisations may access this facility through the member portal at any stage of the application process.

Role at PIRT

IUCN Oceania is a founding member (IUCN-ORO) of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation. IUCN Oceania contributes regional expertise and networks to PIRT working groups, partner programmes and the Pacific BioScapes initiative — supporting the four-year Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation across all 22 Pacific Island countries and territories.

About the organisation

IUCN Oceania operates across the Pacific from a base in Fiji, contributing to nature conservation through capacity-building, technical assistance, partnerships with member states and civil society, knowledge management, and direct programme delivery on the ground. As a PIRT member, IUCN Oceania aligns its regional priorities with the Roundtable framework agreement and reports against pan-Pacific biodiversity targets.

Active programmes that intersect with PIRT

• Pacific BioScapes — EU-funded action managed by SPREP; IUCN Oceania contributes regional or thematic expertise across the workstreams.
• NBSAP coordination — supports member countries' updates of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• GBF Target 3 (30×30) — area-based conservation work, including marine protected areas, indigenous-led conservation areas and trans-boundary corridors.
• Conference 2026 — co-delivers the 11th Pacific Islands Conference for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Noumea.

Working group involvement

• Nature-based Solutions Working Group (NbSWG) — active member.
• Pacific Area-based Conservation Network (PACoN) — active member.
• Pacific Species Working Group (SWG) — active member.

View all PIRT working groups →

The Youth Conservation Leaders Scholarship provides financial support for young Pacific conservationists aged 18 to 30 to undertake structured professional development, including postgraduate study, field placements, leadership programmes, and conference participation. The scholarship recognises that investing in the next generation of Pacific conservation leaders is essential for the long-term health of the region's biodiversity and ecosystems.

Eligible candidates must be citizens of a Pacific Island Country or Territory, aged between 18 and 30 at the time of application, and actively engaged in conservation work in a professional, volunteer, or community capacity. Applications must include two references from conservation professionals, a personal statement, and a development plan explaining how the scholarship will advance the applicant's contribution to Pacific conservation.

Each scholarship is valued at USD 10,000 and can be used for tuition, field placement fees, travel, accommodation, and living costs associated with approved development activities. Scholars are expected to contribute to the PIRT youth network, present their work at one PIRT event during the scholarship period, and submit a final report within 60 days of completing their development activity.

Award citation placeholder.

Award citation placeholder.

Award citation placeholder.

Award citation placeholder.

Document description placeholder.

Document description placeholder.

Document description placeholder.

Document description placeholder.

PIRT Charter 2024–2028 — placeholder document body.

Role at PIRT

Live & Learn Environmental Education is a founding member (LIVE & LEARN) of the Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation. Live & Learn Environmental Education contributes regional expertise and networks to PIRT working groups, partner programmes and the Pacific BioScapes initiative — supporting the four-year Pacific Islands Framework for Nature Conservation across all 22 Pacific Island countries and territories.

About the organisation

Live & Learn Environmental Education operates across the Pacific from a base in Fiji, contributing to nature conservation through capacity-building, technical assistance, partnerships with member states and civil society, knowledge management, and direct programme delivery on the ground. As a PIRT member, Live & Learn Environmental Education aligns its regional priorities with the Roundtable framework agreement and reports against pan-Pacific biodiversity targets.

Active programmes that intersect with PIRT

• Pacific BioScapes — EU-funded action managed by SPREP; Live & Learn Environmental Education contributes regional or thematic expertise across the workstreams.
• NBSAP coordination — supports member countries' updates of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• GBF Target 3 (30×30) — area-based conservation work, including marine protected areas, indigenous-led conservation areas and trans-boundary corridors.
• Conference 2026 — co-delivers the 11th Pacific Islands Conference for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in Noumea.

Working group involvement

• Nature-based Solutions Working Group (NbSWG) — active member.
• Pacific Area-based Conservation Network (PACoN) — active member.
• Pacific Species Working Group (SWG) — active member.

View all PIRT working groups →

Strategic Plan 2024–2028 — placeholder document body.

Annual Report 2024 — placeholder document body.

Newsletter Q1 2026 — placeholder document body.

PIC10 Outcomes Report — placeholder document body.

Why we exist

The Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation (PIRT) was formed to coordinate Pacific-led conservation across reefs, forests, and traditional landscapes — recognising that healthy ecosystems are inseparable from the people who steward them.

Our commitments

• Centre indigenous knowledge alongside Western science.
• Mobilise pooled funding for community-based conservation.
• Speak with one Pacific voice in regional and global forums.
• Train the next generation of Pacific conservation leaders.

How this connects

Our mission shapes the six thematic working groups that deliver the programme of work between conferences, and is overseen by the PIRT steering committee.

How PIRT is steered

PIRT is governed by a steering committee of representatives from its 18 partner organisations. The committee meets quarterly to set priorities, approve the budget, and review the work of the thematic working groups.

Decision-making

Decisions are reached by consensus where possible, and by simple majority where consensus cannot be found. Each member organisation holds one vote regardless of size or contribution.

Secretariat

Day-to-day operations are run by the PIRT Secretariat, hosted by SPREP in Apia, Samoa. The Secretariat manages communications, finance, partnerships, and the biennial conference programme.

Transparency

Annual reports, financial statements, and governance papers are published on the documents library.