Development Coordination Division - MFEM

EXTENSION to‼️Call for Quotes‼️

Extensions have been provided to the below roles :

Finance & Procurement Manager
Contact: Una Banaba – [email protected]

Team Assistant
Contacts:
Johnny Herman – [email protected]
Alex Mackenzie-Hoff – [email protected]

Communications Consultant
Contacts:
Johnny Herman – [email protected]
Alex Mackenzie-Hoff – [email protected]

Interested applicants are invited to contact the relevant person listed above to obtain a copy of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for more information.
The deadline for all submissions have been extended to Thursday 19th February at 12pm.
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‼️Call for Quotes‼️

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM) through the Development Coordination Division (DCD) is pleased to advise that, following the recent approval by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board, the Cook Islands will commence implementation under the Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) modality, titled:

“Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands.”

This landmark initiative will strengthen climate resilience across the Cook Islands by supporting homeowners, community organisations, and businesses to upgrade homes and buildings to better withstand tropical cyclones and extreme weather events. The project will also support water and sanitation improvements and provide training and certification opportunities for local tradespeople. For more information can be access here; https://www.mfem.gov.ck/nae-full-proposal

To support the effective implementation of this nationally significant programme, MFEM-DCD now invites Quotations for the following positions:

Project Manager
Contact: Eileen Story – [email protected]

Finance & Procurement Manager
Contact: Una Banaba – [email protected]

International Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Consultant
(This is a fixed-term international consultancy for a maximum duration of three (3) months)
Contacts:
Johnny Herman – [email protected]
Mii Kino - [email protected]

Team Assistant
Contacts:
Johnny Herman – [email protected]
Alex Mackenzie-Hoff – [email protected]

Interested applicants are invited to contact the relevant person listed above to obtain a copy of the Terms of Reference (TOR) for more information.

The deadline for all submissions is Thursday at 12pm, 5th February 2026.

MFEM looks forward to engaging suitably qualified individuals to support the successful delivery of this important national climate resilience initiative for the Cook Islands.

🌏 A Cook Islands first, and a Pacific milestone 🌏

The Cook Islands is proud to mark a significant milestone with the appointment of Raymond Newnham as the country’s first Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Placement, and the second in the Pacific.

Ray has been appointed as a GCF Liaison Officer through the GCF Readiness Placement Programme, supporting the Cook Islands National Designated Authority within Climate Change Cook Islands. His 12-month placement commenced on 8 December 2025, positioning the Cook Islands among the earliest Pacific and Asian Small Island Developing States to host this role.

The GCF Readiness Placement Programme was established to strengthen National Designated Authority offices by embedding dedicated GCF Liaison Officers in-country. This responds to growing demand across Pacific and Asian Small Island Developing States for stronger coordination, technical support, and sustained engagement with the Green Climate Fund, supporting countries to navigate readiness processes and strengthen access to climate finance.

This initiative enhances in-country coordination with the Green Climate Fund and supports improved access to readiness support, climate finance, and the development of nationally driven climate projects. The Cook Islands’ participation reflects its continued leadership in climate action and regional collaboration.

In his role, Ray will work closely with national stakeholders and the GCF to support readiness priorities and contribute to long-term climate resilience outcomes for the Cook Islands.

We congratulate Ray on this achievement and acknowledge the ongoing efforts of Climate Change Cook Islands, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, and partners in advancing climate leadership for the Cook Islands and the wider Pacific.

Kia Orana🌺

We would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a safe, joyful festive season. As we approach the end of the year, DCD Staff would like to express our sincere appreciation for your support and collaboration throughout 2025💫

May the New Year bring renewed energy, continued success, and new opportunities for us all🍀

We look forward to working together again in 2026💙✨

Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education- Maraurau o te Pae Apíi are teaming up under the Green Climate Fund, ATOM project – Akamatutuanga to Tatou Ora’anga Meitaki: Building a Healthy and Resilient Cook Islands, One Block at a Time.

Through this partnership, the ministries will bring climate change–related health and mental health into our schools, helping students and communities stay healthy and resilient. The heads of both ministries have signed the agreements and are excited to work together on this important initiative!

The Macquarie Community Resilience Prize, powered by MIT Solve, is now open for applications https://solve.mit.edu/macquarie-community-resilience-prize in Brazil, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

The prize is seeking innovative solutions that build climate-resilient communities while creating meaningful employment and skill-building opportunities. The total prize pool of $A1,500,000 will be awarded to up to 10 organisations across these markets. The application window is open through February 25, 2026, and the winners will be announced in May 2026.

Solutions should be technology-enabled and already active in the pilot, growth, or scale stages.
Solutions supporting workers in sectors including, but not limited to, energy and grid resilience, water resource management, agriculture and food systems, infrastructure protection, and disaster preparedness and avoidance are encouraged to apply.

We welcome nature-based solutions and Indigenous-led innovations that combine ancestral knowledge with novel approaches to climate resilience.
In addition to funding, each winner will receive a dedicated support program engaging MIT and Macquarie staff to further develop and implement their solutions.

Access to a Prize pool of up to $A1,500,000, which will be awarded to up to 10 winning solutions. Indicative award amounts could range from $A75,000 - $A375,000.

The Macquarie Community Resilience Prize | MIT Solve The $US1,000,000 prize supports innovations that strengthen climate-resilient communities while generating meaningful employment and skills-building opportunities.

The Development Coordination Division - MFEM proudly joined the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management family today in wearing black in support of Punanga Turuturu Itivaine, Cook Islands Womens Support Centre campaign to stand against domestic violence.
As part of MFEM, DCD was honoured to stand together, raise awareness, and contribute through our gold coin donation to this vital cause. Our team supports the important work PTI continues to do for women, children and families affected by violence in our community🖤🫶🏾

We’re excited to share the media release below on the EDA Project – a new national programme funded by the Green Climate Fund to help Cook Islands families, communities, and small businesses strengthen their homes against climate change.

Through the EDA Facility, support will soon be available for:
✔️ Re-roofing
✔️ Roof tie-downs
✔️ Spouting & water tanks
✔️ Window shutters
✔️ Septic tank upgrades

The project includes grants and interest-free loans, with special support for vulnerable households and the Pa Enua.

MFEM, BCI, CCCI, ICI and CITTI are now setting up the Facility, training programmes, and application systems. Community awareness sessions will begin soon so everyone knows how to apply once the Facility is open.

Read the full media release below for details.

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬

The Ministry of Finance & Economic Management (MFEM) is now commencing work on a new national programme that will help Cook Islands households and communities across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua strengthen their homes and buildings against climate change.

Entitled ‘Direct Financing for Communities and Businesses to Respond to Climate Change in the Cook Islands’, this national project is funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), an international financing entity founded to assist less developed countries all around the world with climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.

Last month the GCF approved USD$39.98 million of funding for this project, to be allocated over a seven-year period. The Cook Islands Government is also contributing USD$4.23 million over the seven-year project term, which includes USD$2.13 million via MFEM and USD$2.10 million from the Bank of the Cook Islands (BCI).

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬:
• The re-roofing of homes and other buildings
• Roof tie-downs for cyclone resilience
• Installation of spouting and water tanks
• Installation of window shutters for storm protection
• Septic tank upgrades

To ensure that these activities are carried out effectively, the first year of project implementation will initially involve training and certifying more local tradespeople – plumbers, electricians, builders and building inspectors so that the work done meets the climate-resilient standards of the Cook Islands Building Code 2019. Funding will be made available to the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute to help achieve this.

Once MFEM has established and operationalised the EDA Facility, where the GCF funding is being held and managed in country, applications will open for Cook Islands homeowners, small businesses and community organisations.

Applications will be received by either BCI (for homeowners/small businesses), or MFEM and Climate Change Cook Islands (for community organisations). Approved funding will not be paid out directly to applicants – all payments will go to accredited tradespeople and suppliers.

Community organisations like NGOs and civil societies will be able to apply for up to USD$24,900 in grant funding to improve the climate-resilience of eligible community buildings through the above-mentioned specific activities.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬:
• Tier 1: 100% grant - Eligible homeowners classified as vulnerable by Internal Affairs:
o Up to USD$12,523 in grant funding (no repayment needed)

• Tier 2: 80% grant with 20% interest-free loan- Eligible homeowners based in Pa Enua:
o Up to USD$10,018 in grant funding, plus:
o Up to USD$2504 interest-free loan (to be repaid)

• Tier 3: 60% grant with 40% interest-free loan - Eligible homeowners based in Rarotonga or Aitutaki:
o Up to USD$7514 in grant funding, plus:
o Up to USD$5009 interest-free loan (to be repaid)

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭-𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐬 are only available for homes and buildings constructed before the Cook Islands Building Code 2019 was implemented.

Overall implementation of this project will be overseen by a project management unit established by MFEM, while funding decisions and recommendations will be made to MFEM by a Grant Award Evaluation Committee comprised of representatives from MFEM, BCI, Office of the Prime Minister, Infrastructure Cook Islands, National Environment Service, Internal Affairs and Te Marae Ora, as well as external experts and stakeholders.

As funding for this project has only recently been approved, MFEM and our partners – BCI, Climate Change Cook Islands, Infrastructure Cook Islands and the Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute – are currently in the administrative setup phase.

Over the coming months we will initiate a community awareness campaign to ensure that our people across Rarotonga and the Pa Enua are aware of and fully understand how this project will work, how it might apply to them, and how they can best access the funding that will be available.

Further next steps will include hosting information sessions and finalising the setup of the EDA Facility, before we can proceed on to trade training and certification activities, and then in time to the funding delivery phase.

For more information about this project, go to https://www.mfem.gov.ck/nae-full-proposal.
If you have any questions, check out our EDA Factsheet -https://www.mfem.gov.ck/_files/ugd/110dc2_8505d4f0a09641f78811ebdc64ab9bc8.pdf
Or contact Tessa Vaetoru by;
email [email protected] or
phone 29521.

Download ToR here: https://www.mfem.gov.ck/_files/ugd/dbdf40_8737910055ce4d9ea53c86b093e7a60d.docx?dn=20250826-Request-for-Quotations-IRMF%20Consultant.docx

📢 The New Zealand High Commission Fund – Cook Islands 2025/2026 Round is NOW OPEN 📢
Applications for the New Zealand High Commission Fund - Cook Islands 2025/2026 Round are now available.
The New Zealand High Commission Fund (NZHC Fund) supports small scale, short-term community projects that contribute to wider community well-being.
The Fund is aimed primarily at community groups and non-government organisations; but other types of organisations e.g. PTAs, schools, business associations may apply.
Projects for the Pa Enua are strongly encouraged.
Project proposals can apply for up to a maximum of NZD $25,000.

If you would like to receive technical support in preparing your application template, please feel free to reach out to one of our awesome staff Ms Eileen Story on [email protected]

For criteria information and an application form email: [email protected]
Or collect from our office, Monday to Friday 10am – 2pm.
Applications close 2pm Tuesday 23 September 2025.
Please note that late and incomplete submission will not be considered.

New Zealand High Commission Fund - Cook Islands Kia Orana! The 2024/2025 Round of the New Zealand High Commission Fund is closed. Purpose The New Zealand High Commission Fund (the Fund) supports small scale, short-term community projects that contribute to wider community development and well-being.  Projects must be in line with the New Zealand...

Call for Concept Ideas: Adaptation Fund – Climate Adaptation Project Ideas:

Kia orana te iti'tangata,

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management and the Office of the Prime Minister through the Climate Change Cook Islands Office are calling for climate adaptation project ideas for the Adaptation Fund.

If you are community group, NGO, faith-based organisation, local business, Pa Enua Island Government, or government agency – we want to hear from you!.

How to Apply
The call for concept ideas is open from the 7th August and closing on the 28th August.

Complete the Concept Idea template and clearly explain your project idea – Download here - https://bit.ly/4lk4xds or email [email protected] for the template

Submit your idea to: [email protected]

Need Help?: contact [email protected] at Development Coordination Division, for free technical Assistance to assist you with your application.

If your idea is selected, we will work with you to develop a full proposal or incorporate it into a national proposal that will be used to apply for funding from the Adaptation Fund

This is your chance to turn ideas into action.

More information can be found here: https://bit.ly/45q4N4q