New Nepul Community Climate Centre Empowers Vanuatu Community with Knowledge and Tools for a Resilient Future

02 October 2025, Nepul, Vanuatu – In a significant step towards bolstering local climate resilience for more than 3,700 people, the Nepul Community Climate Centre (CCC) has been launched, marking the culmination of a dedicated training workshop that has equipped 30 participants as certified Climate Champions.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) through the Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (VanKIRAP) Project, the new centre stands as a beacon of hope and a hub for climate action, learning, and community leadership in North Ambrym.

The launch event was a vibrant celebration of community spirit and commitment, featuring traditional prayers, powerful speeches, and the official unveiling of the centre's signboard by a united group of local and project leaders, including Councillor Mr. Nelson Tomoyan, Area Council Chairman Mr. George Massing, VanKIRAP Manager Ms. Moirah Matou, and Area Administrator Mr. Jackson Willie.

“This is a proud moment for our community,” said Mr. George Massing. “The CCC is a space built for resilience, learning, and local leadership, reflecting our shared commitment to climate action and tradition.”

The launch ceremony included the presentation of certificates to the participants, who completed an intensive training workshop. Ms. Moirah Matou congratulated the graduates, officially declaring them Climate Champions ready to lead community efforts in climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and awareness.

“By the end of this workshop, you won’t just be participants… you’ll be Climate Champions!” Ms Matou stated, emphasising that the initiative is a key part of the government’s policy to decentralize vital climate and weather services to ‘last mile’ communities.

Mr. Jackson Willie, North Ambrym Area Administrator, expressed his gratitude to the VanKIRAP project, GCF, SPREP and the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD) for selecting North Ambrym. He encouraged the new Champions to spread the knowledge they have acquired across their communities.

A Comprehensive Training for Holistic Resilience

The workshop that preceded the launch provided the new Climate Champions with a robust toolkit of knowledge and practical skills:

Understanding Local Climate: Participants engaged in sessions on climatology maps for MALAMPA Province, learning about annual mean temperature and rainfall patterns. This knowledge is critical for making informed decisions in climate-smart gardening, ensuring food security through informed planting and harvesting.

Leveraging Digital Tools: The training included hands-on experience with three key mobile applications: the VMGD App for real-time weather and disaster alerts; the ClimateWatch App for citizen science, tracking changes in plants and animals; and the OSCAR App for monitoring land use and forest cover.

Promoting Inclusive Action: A core session focused on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). Through activities like the “Walk in Their Shoes” game—which simulated emergencies for people with visual, hearing, and mobility challenges—participants learned to build early warning systems and disaster responses that are accessible to all community members, including the most vulnerable.

The Nepul Community Climate Centre is now officially open, ready to serve as a permanent resource for weather awareness, geohazard preparedness, and climate-smart living. It stands as a powerful symbol of unity and shared purpose, empowering the people of North Ambrym and the surrounding islands to face a changing climate with confidence, knowledge, and strong local leadership.

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About the VanKIRAP Project:

The Vanuatu Klaemet Infomesen blong Redy, Adapt mo Protekt (VanKIRAP) Project is funded by the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards Department (VMGD). The project aims to improve climate resilience in Vanuatu through the development and delivery of improved climate information services

For more information please contact: Mr Sunny Kamuta Seuseu on email: [email protected]