Tonga Rural Innovation Project

This project will be implemented in selected communities within all regions of Tonga, including 29 communities in the "outer islands" – defined as those outside the main islands of Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai, which are already being covered by the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation Programme – and 31 new communities in the "main islands" of Tongatapu, Vava'u, Ha'apai, the Niuas and ‘Eau.

The project will target extremely poor and poor rural households, as well as marginal households, to reach approximately 16,900 people in 60 communities. The goal is to improve sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities in rural areas of Tonga.

In particular, the project will focus on:

• Supporting the implementation of local Community Development Plans
• Helping commercial banks publicise and promote financing for business development, and providing supplemental equity grant funds to agricultural enterprises and other rural businesses through the banks.

The project aligns with two key strategy and policy documents of the Government of Tonga: the Tonga Strategic Development Framework and the Ministry of Food, Forests and Fisheries Sector Plan. It is also in line with IFAD's 2004 Sub-regional Strategic Opportunities Paper for the Pacific Islands.