MFEM and MOE Sign Service Agreement for Green Climate Fund EDA Project

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) have formalised their partnership through the signing of a Service Agreement to support the implementation of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Enhancing Direct Access (EDA) Project, “Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands”.  

The GCF EDA Project was established through the signing of the Green Climate Fund Funded Activity Agreement on 30 October 2025, which provided the framework for the delivery of climate adaptation activities in the Cook Islands. Following the completion of project preparation processes, the project has now progressed into the implementation phase, with activities being delivered through collaboration between MFEM, national stakeholders and implementing partners.

The agreement confirms the role of the Ministry of Education, through the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute (CITTI), as the project's Implementing Partner Organisation, responsible for delivering stakeholder capacity-building activities, including the development and delivery of training programmes and technical support to strengthen awareness and application of the Cook Islands Building Code 2019. Through practical and theoretical training, CITTI will support the upskilling of tradespeople, builders and building inspectors, contributing to a more climate-resilient construction sector. 

“We remain committed to working with MFEM and the Green Climate Fund to ensure that an appropriate and legally robust arrangement is established that both meets GCF requirements and complies with the Cook Islands legislative framework.”

- Owen Lewis, Secretary, Ministry of Education

The training will equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills to understand and apply climate-resilient construction standards outlined in the Cook Islands Building Code 2019. These standards are designed to strengthen homes and community buildings against the impacts of climate change, including more intense cyclones, heavy rainfall events, water shortages and sanitation challenges.

The EDA Project seeks to improve the enabling environment for resilient buildings and support community-based adaptation measures throughout the Cook Islands. By strengthening local knowledge, skills and capacity, the project aims to ensure communities are better equipped to respond to and recover from climate-related impacts.

Under the project, awareness-raising activities will be delivered across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua to inform communities, homeowners, businesses and tradespeople about opportunities to improve the resilience of homes and community buildings. These activities will be complemented through educational resources, community outreach initiatives and specialised training programmes delivered through project partners, including CITTI.

The agreement was signed by MFEM Director of the Development Coordination Division, Mani Mate, and the Ministry of Education Secretary, Owen Lewis, on 09 July 2026, as part of the ongoing implementation of the Green Climate Fund-funded EDA Project.

This agreement supports the continued implementation of the EDA Project by formalising collaboration between MFEM, MOE, CITTI and project partners. Through these partnerships, the initiative will continue to support climate adaptation measures that contribute to safer homes, stronger infrastructure and more resilient communities across the Cook Islands.