Eight young Tongan “Greenpreneurs” and their green enterprises have been selected to join a new 2022 Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) incubator program.

Successful entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in a business competition to secure grant seed fund capital of USD$5,000.

The Tonga Orientation Event, marking the beginning of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) program, was held at the Tonga Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship (TYEE) Career Centre, in Mataika, Tongatapu, on 21 September.

Visiting for the first time was the GGGI Director General, Dr. Frank Rijsberman and GGGI Regional Director, Ms. Katerina Syngellakis, welcomed by TYEE director Lusia Jones who facilitates the program in Tonga.

Dr Rijsberman said he started the Greenpreneurs program and GGI to give young people a chance to start their business and be supportive.

“One important gap that a program like this can fill, is giving the chance to people with big ideas, specific space and plans but not necessarily the financial skills or the skills to run a business,” He said.

The network aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses, whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in six Pacific Island countries - Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

The incubator program targets existing innovative early-stage green micro, small, and medium-enterprises (MSMEs) with demonstrated growth potential that are still in pursuit of a scalable and and repeatable business model through localised virtual and physical training and courses, a mentorship program, in-person events, and networking opportunities.

In Tonga the eight selected applicants and their businesses are:

• Arthur Cocker, Defiant Robotics (Health, sanitation & hygiene)
• Faiana Feaomoeata, Pearls of Vava’u (Handicrafts & Creative Arts)
• Fane Kite, FANE (Manufacturing & Textiles)
• Brian Taunisila, Green Engine Solutions(Circular Economy & Waste Management)
• Kalisi Tuitavake, KALISI (Manufacturing & Textiles)
• Luseane Taufa, Believing in Grace Inc (Agriculture, Aquaculture & Agro-processing)
• Masina Valu, Knox Recycle Depo Ltd(Circular Economy & Waste Management)
• Serene Tay-Siasau, Mataliki cultural creatives Tonga (Circular Economy & Waste Management).

Climate Change

Houma Council Chairman, Lord Vaea, attending the event, spoke of the importance of identifying effective ways to communicate to the public, especially the youth to understand what climate change is.

“I believe this is due to government policies and government officers not talking well to the rural and remote community outside Tonga.”

The regional Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) is a 3-year project funded by the Qatar Fund for Development and implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute.