The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its GEF 7 Samoa IAS Project, has successfully concluded across Savaiโi and Upolu, marking an important milestone in strengthening community engagement to address the impacts of invasive alien species in Samoa.
The roadshow programme brought together representatives from participating villages across both islands, demonstrating strong collective commitment from communities to addressing the threats posed by invasive alien species within their local environments.Through a series of seminars, participants were introduced to localized activities which the GEF-7 Samoa IAS project will be implementing to assist their villages in controlling and managing invasive species which they have prioritized for action. Community representatives also engaged in discussions on the challenges posed by invasive plants and animals on their surrounding environment and way of life. The ceremonial unveiling of project signboards in participating communities further symbolized a shared responsibility between Government and villages to advance proactive environmental stewardship and effective management of invasive species.A key component of the programme was the implementation of the KAP Survey, which was conducted with representatives from participating villages across Savaiโi and Upolu. The survey was carried out through structured questionnaires administered individually by the MNRE survey team. This exercise assessed community knowledge, perceptions, and practices relating to invasive alien species and will serve as an important evidence base for guiding targeted interventions, awareness programmes, and management actions under the project.In total, 1,200 participants were engaged as part of the programme in Savaii and Upolu with representation from different focus groups; Children, Youth, Women, People with disabilities, Farmers, Fishermen and the elderly. The engagement of all community groups reflects the Ministryโs commitment to inclusive participation and ensuring that all members of the community are involved in addressing environmental challenges.The successful completion of the roadshow and survey marks a significant step toward strengthening data-driven decision-making and reinforcing community partnerships in managing invasive alien species across Samoa.The Ministry acknowledges the continuing support of the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development and its ongoing partnership with the UNDP.