The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) project hosted a two-day Incubator orientation and kick-off-workshop for the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program on the 21st & 22nd of June 2023 at the Fiji Development Bank training room in Suva.
The 2023 Fiji cohort is made up of 19 green enterprises from across the country. The environmentally & socially minded entrepreneurs span many sectors including agriculture, manufacturing & handicrafts, sustainable tourism and transport, circular economy, and information technology.
The two-day interactive workshop was facilitated by GGGI’s Fiji Country Facilitator Mr. Josua Mateiwai of Haya Development and focused on peer learning and knowledge-sharing on sustainability, articulating their purpose and the importance of design-thinking.
Speaking on behalf of GGGI’s funding partner, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Mr. Fahad Al-Dehaimi, Head of International Organizations at QFFD wished the cohort best of luck in their green entrepreneur’s journey. He said in his recorded remarks, “The incubator is designed to provide you with tools, guidance and support needed to navigate this journey. We eagerly look forward to seeing the incredible innovations that will emerge from this cohort”. 
The incubator program integrates a wide range of components, including training, mentoring, coaching, and networking. This comprehensive blend aims to support participants in developing their sustainable green enterprise plans and maximizing their potential for success. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to meet their business mentors, an inspiring group of experienced entrepreneurs from a range of sectors and business advisors with a passion for supporting green business ideas.
Ms. Esther Bates, GGGI’s Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network Project Manager, said during the opening remarks, “I strongly encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities offered to you through this program. We believe you have so much to gain by listening and learning from each other and supporting each other during the program and beyond.”
Over the coming 4 months, the 2023 incubator program provides the opportunity for 68 green enterprises with shared interests from Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu to come together and enhance their knowledge, refine their ideas, and validate their green business Ideas.
The regional Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) is a 3-year project implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to support green entrepreneurship in six Pacific Island countries. The program aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals.
For more information about the Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator program please visit https://www.pacificgreenpreneurs.com/
About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports governments of developing countries to transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in over 40 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects, and publications can be found on www.gggi.org. You can also follow GGGI on Twitter and join us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD):
Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) is a Qatari public institution committed, on behalf of the State of Qatar, to implement foreign aid projects by international best practices and standards.
Since 2012, QFFD has been providing aid to many countries in accordance with the international cooperation goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. Its primary goal is to achieve inclusive and sustainable development by addressing global priority issues in education, health, and economic development. In this context, priority is given to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
1. SDG 3: “Ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all”;
2. SDG 4: “Ensuring fair and inclusive education for all and enhancing lifelong learning for all”;
3. SDG 8: “Promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and keeping full and productive employment and decent work for all.”
To realize the optimal development impact, QFFD projects are also designed to have cross-cutting co-benefits within SDG (2) on “Zero hunger” and SDG (6) on “Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” in addition to SDG (17) on “Partnerships to Achieve Goals.”
QFFD cooperates with many reputable actors through strategic partnerships both locally and internationally. These include Civil Society Organizations, government agencies, UN agencies, and the private sector.