The RMIT Pacific Initiative will be expanded across Melanesia through a new $1.6 million partnership with Minderoo Foundation.
The three-year partnership will support more community conservation associations to protect and restore some of the Pacific's most biodiverse forest habitats.
Minderoo's support will see the RMIT Pacific Initiative secure up to 500,000 hectares of high biodiversity rainforest habitat across Melanesia, protect 30-50% of regional terrestrial biodiversity, and bring sustainable community development dividends to up to 50,000 people.
Led by RMIT Professor of Practice Tim Flannery and Professor Charles Hunt in conjunction with the Tenkile Conservation Alliance (TCA), the Initiative will deliver a community conservation program to empower local associations to conserve some of the Pacific's most endangered forest ecosystems.
"The initiative will demonstrate the impact of community-oriented approaches to conservation and biodiversity regeneration. It will be a lighthouse for funders forging climate and biodiversity international cooperation agreements," said Hunt.
"Local ownership and capacity are at its core. It's focused on creating opportunities and pathways for remote communities to build local skills for land repair and regeneration to deliver long-term, sustainable conservation and community development."
"We have a deep concern for, and commitment to, urgent, immediate and appropriate action to combat the threat and impacts of climate change, biodiversity and habitat loss, waste and pollution, and other threats," said Flannery.
"We support young people to develop their full potential, support women to be active participants in economic, political and social life and recognise the importance of creating accessible services and infrastructure to enable all Pacific peoples to participate in and benefit from development outcomes," he continued.
The RMIT Pacific Initiative will support more community conservation associations to protect and restore some of the Pacific's most biodiverse forest habitats. Professor Tim Marshall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, RMIT College of Design and Social Context, said the investment from Minderoo would enable the Pacific Initiative to accelerate and amplify its impact.
"The College is pleased that Minderoo recognises the importance of a regenerative, just and secure future for the people and ecosystems of the Pacific region. This sort of philanthropic generosity allows the Initiative to achieve genuinely life-changing outcomes," he said.
"Minderoo shares our conviction that lasting change in the Pacific must be led by and built with Pacific people, not imposed from outside. That alignment of values provides a foundation for genuine partnership for impact," he continued.
John Hartman, CEO, Minderoo Foundation said: "At Minderoo Foundation, communities are the beating heart of our work to safeguard healthy ecosystems for all generations.
"The Pacific is home to some of the world's most extraordinary landscapes, and Minderoo is proud to be partnering with the RMIT Pacific Initiative to bring together communities from across the region and empower a new generation of community conservation organisations.
"This partnership will ensure local knowledge and leadership remain at the centre of Minderoo's efforts to protect the ecosystems that sustain people and nature alike."
Jean Thomas, Chief Operating Officer at TCA, said the partnership was an exciting opportunity for TCA to share more than 25 years of experience working alongside communities to protect some of Papua New Guinea's most important rainforest ecosystems.
"By combining TCA's field-based knowledge with RMIT's academic expertise and internationally recognised certification, we hope to empower a new generation of conservation leaders across Melanesia, strengthening local organisations and creating lasting benefits for both people and nature," she said.
"Rather than asking other organisations to start from scratch, this program will provide practical tools, proven frameworks and hands-on experience that they can adapt to their own communities."
The RMIT Pacific Initiative supports Pacific communities to develop Community Conservation Associations (CCAs).
To do this, the initiative will be implemented along two lines of effort: hosting a symposium for knowledge exchange, mutual learning and capacity-building, a seven-day event in February 2027, with attendees from across Melanesia.
Following the symposium, a certified community conservation training module for Melanesia will be co-designed by RMIT and TCA, which will be used to deliver certified two-week intensive conservation management training courses for three years.
