In June 2025, the Project ENUA team from the Cook Islands National Environment Service (NES), Siana Whatarau, Terena Koteka-Wiki, and Fred Nicholas, travelled to Apia, Samoa, to take part in a regional training on Social and Environmental Standards (SES), hosted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The team learned how to better plan and carry out projects in a way that’s safe for people, protects the environment, and includes communities every step of the way.
Over several days, the group explored important topics like how to work closely with communities, how to manage risks, and how to make sure everyone’s voice is heard, especially those who are often left out of decision-making. The team also learned about the importance of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and how to set up clear ways for people to raise concerns and be supported throughout a project.
The training wasn’t just in the conference room. The team visited some inspiring places in Samoa, such as electric vehicle charging stations, a protected forest, and a biosecurity lab to see how good planning and community involvement can lead to real, long-term benefits.
These experiences gave the NES team fresh ideas and practical tools to bring back to the Cook Islands, especially for their ongoing work with Project ENUA, which focuses on restoring healthy catchments and protecting our land and waters for future generations.
As part of continuing this work, NES recently advertised a new consultant role to help carry out a Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) for Project ENUA. This role will help guide the project’s activities and make sure they’re done in a way that respects the environment and the people in each area. It’s also a chance to put what the team learned at the SES training into action by strengthening how we listen to our communities, work together, and plan for a more resilient future.
