Partnerships made the success of the Greening of the Games possible.
Several international development partners stepped up to help execute this inaugural attempt to “Green” the Pacific games. Through the generous contributions of Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Government of Australia, Government of New Zealand, United Nations Environment Programme (UNE) and the United Kingdom, a total of SAT $400,000 was turned over to the Pacific Games Office by the GoGC co-chairs during a press conference in May, 2019. Funding went to the procurement of 360 new and strategically placed water stations along with the required awareness and educational communications.
While the Strategic Action Pla (SAP) was being developed, appointing committee members from government agencies and local organizations with direct connections to the key initiatives and expertise in the targeted areas of the SAP was imperative. Support from the highest levels of the Samoan Government was essential to achieve the proposed outcomes of the SAP.
A committee of 20, volunteer representatives from national (MNRE, MWCSD, MESC, STA) and international (United States Peace Corps) government agencies, an inter-governmental organization (SPREP) the Pacific Games Office (PGO) and local, waste non-governmental organizations (SRWMA) was established and known as the Greening of the Games Committee (GoGC). For the purpose of waste management, the CEO of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) was asked to co-chair the GoGC together with the Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), a leading intergovernmental organization focused on environmental issues pertaining to 21 Pacific island country members. The GoGC met bi-weekly / monthly starting in January 2019, continuing through the competitions and after the Games concluded.
With the Strategic Action Plan and Greening of the Games Committee in place, the next step critical to success was researching and reaching out to possible partners and funding sources in support of the SAP goals and objectives. The GoGC, through SPREP, had existing relationships with countries having a vested interest in the region’s environmental waste issues. SPREP’s Metro-Country Members of Australia, New Zealand, Great Brittan and France were obvious and willing donors along with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP).
Overall results of SAP 1.0: Sustainability through Strategic Planning
Key outcomes:
• Established a realistic, strategic and sustainable action plan
• Established a “volunteer” working committee of 20 professionals with experience and contacts in the targeted areas of the strategic plan and influence in the government and community at large.
• Sourced reliable funding partners and secured budgeted funds to finance communications and procurement targets outlined in the strategic plan.
Best practices:
• Choose committee co-chairs from local entities having close ties to the initiative’s strategy, the greatest influence on targeted activities and the most to gain from the results.
• Get buy-in from the highest levels of the local government.
• Play heavily off any government issued bans on single-use plastic and polystyrene if they exist.
Lessons learned / recommendations
• Start fundraising early. Five months is not enough time to secure money-in-the-bank. Begin to identify and contact funding sources and partners as soon as the initiative is launched. Having money in the bank before actions require payment is critical to achieving goals, preparing for unplanned expenses, being open to opportunities and maintaining positivity overall.
• Recruit committee members who are dedicated to the initiative and committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done from attendance at meetings to delivering on activities and outcomes within their authority.
• Appoint a full-time professional with project management skills and dedicated time to manage and oversee all activities and targets associated with the Strategic Action Plan.
Individual Partners Include;
Partners as part of the Greening of the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games:
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE),
• Ministry of Women Community and Social Development (MWCSD),
• Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC),
• The Pacific Games Committee,
• Samoa Recycling & Waste Management Association (SRWMA),
• Samoa Tourism Authority,
• Samoa 2019 Pacific Games,
• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP),
Business Partners:
• Agnes’s Florist,
• Kagen Water,
• Samoa Green Products,
• Samoa Victims’ Support Group,
• Sponsors
• Farmer Joe’s,
• Frankie’s Supermarket,
• Lucky Foodtown
• Lynn’s Supermarket,
• Myna's Mini Mart and Bakery,
• Samoa Breweries Ltd,
• Urban Sound,
• Rees Hirage,
• Zac Hirage,
Additional thanks to:
• The Guardians – and their Partners;
• Conservation International,
• Samoa Conservation Society,
• Samoa Voyaging Society,
• Samoa Youth Climate Action Network,
• Government Ministries of MWCSD, MAF, MNRE,
• SPREP Knowledge Management Team,
• Team Samoa sports federations;
• Samoa Paddlers,
• Samoa Tag Rugby,
• Samoa Touch Rugby,
• Samoa Women's football team
• Samoa Volleyball