The second round of call for funding for the Leadership Fiji (LF) Community Fund up to $10,000 will begin from today, March 1 and will end on April 31, 2021.
The LF Community Fund according to a statement will be receiving applications in the following areas: Child Development, Education, Food & Nutrition, Animal Protection, Development and Protection of Women and families, Leadership Training, Promoting Democracy, Free Exchange of Ideas/Knowledge and Sustainable Community Environmental Projects.
Rajesh Patel, Chairperson of the LF Community Fund said, “the first round of calls for proposals for community projects in September 2020 saw 11 community initiatives receive a total funding of $54,500.”
“We were delighted to see proposals come from as far as Udu Point and Savusavu in Vanua Levu to Vio Island just outside of Lautoka and the different towns and cities on Viti Levu,” Mr Patel said.
The statement stated that some of the projects to note were by Fiji Aeromedical and Rescue Services Trust who sprang to action after the death of nine-year-old Jerry Dauvaki of Nabua Village, Rewa.
There had been a rise of drowning related deaths from June 2020 and this prompted Fiji Aeromedical to provide swimming lessons to children of Jerry’s village and the surrounding area.
The LF Community Fund supported the purchase of kickboards and noodles to assist in swimming lessons and three CPR Mannequins for first aid training.
Fiji Aeromedical will use these equipment to train other villages around the country.
Another interesting project was the assistance provided to Delaikamali Youth Group in Cakaudrove.
The youths of Yasawa Village in Cakaudrove are cut-off from road access and have to depend on fishing as a means of livelihood.
The storing and transporting of fish have always been a problem and the Delaikamali Youth Group were assisted with solar charging equipment to assist in charging their refrigerators that stores their fish prior to transporting to their markets.
Two separate organisations that look after the needs of Animal Welfare and Protection were assisted in procuring a vehicle to be used for animal rescue, while one once was provided equipment to start the manufacture of Pet Treats to help make them financially sustainable.
Mr Patel said, “the first round of proposals blew the committee members away.
The LF Community Fund Committee is a sub-committee of the Leadership Fiji Board and was set up to receive, manage and facilitate life-changing community developments for Fiji’s communities.
The Committee is run by a group of Alumni appointed by the Leadership Fiji Board, who have a set of guidelines that govern their roles and responsibilities.
Sharyne Fong, Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Fiji thanked the LF Community Fund Committee in mobilising these projects.
“2021 is our 20th Anniversary and giving through such initiatives is a great way to celebrate this achievement by making a real difference at a time when we all need to work together as Fijians.
“We hope that the LF Community Fund will provide our 470+ Alumni with an opportunity to continue to connect and give back to their community through projects and activities for which we have become known for,” Ms Fong said.
The LF Community Fund is funded by philanthropists, LF Alumni groups, well-wishes and friends of Fiji.
Those willing to support communities and don’t have a means to do so may contact the Leadership Fiji Secretariat for more information.
The objectives of the LF Community Fund are to:
- Receive and manage funding from organizations, donors, aid funds, past LF year groups’ and individuals to enable life-changing community developments by making a positive social impact for Fiji’s communities through the use of LFA members talent and skills to:
- Empower communities to be self-sufficient; and
- Facilitate in the development of community-based projects.
- Provide scholarships for disadvantaged developing leaders to participate in Leadership Fiji programs.
- Offer continued development opportunities for LF Alumni members.
Meanwhile, this second round of call for funding will start from today, 1 March 2021 and end on 30th April 2021.
The Call for Proposal Application Form is available online on Leadership Fiji’s website www.leadershipfiji.org
