In 2026, GGGI commissioned an ex-post evaluation of Solar Power-Driven Access to Water in Vanuatu, covering two projects: VU3 Enhancing Resilience to Climate Change through Solar Power-Driven Access to Water in Rural Areas of Outer Islands and VU11 Vanuatu Phase II: Scaling-up Climate Resilience through Solar Power-Driven Access to Water. An end-project evaluation of VU11 in 2025 is available here.

VU3 supported improving household access to water in rural areas far from power grids and established national guidelines for Solar Powered Water Systems (SPWS), integrating them into Vanuatu’s water policies. VU11 followed up with implementing SPWS to improve water access and strengthen the climate resilience of rural communities. Both projects were funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The evaluation aimed to assess and draw lessons from the extent to which the two consecutive solar-powered water projects contributed to observable changes in target communities. The primary intended users included GGGI, member and partner governments in the Pacific, and resource partners, including Luxembourg’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, the Australian Aid Program, and the New Zealand Aid Program.

The evaluation will focus on sustainable access to water, the adequacy of water storage infrastructure, women’s participation and leadership in water governance structures, and the sustainability and functionality of the solar-powered water systems following project completion.

The evaluation will be managed by GGGI’s Impact and Evaluation Unit and delivered by University of Technology Sydney.