Solomon Islands

Climate Change &

Livelihoods

Around 80% of Solomon Islanders live in rural communities and depend on gardening and agriculture for food and income. Climate change is reducing soil fertility, damaging crops and making food production increasingly difficult.

Repeated droughts, cyclones and sea level rise have affected household food security, creating additional challenges for families already vulnerable to poverty and isolation.

Save the Children has worked with families in 16 communities to build practical skills for climate adaptation and resilience.

Families have learned climate-smart gardening techniques including:

• Raised-bed gardening.
• Composting and mulching.
• Seedling nursery establishment.
• Shade management for crops.
• Use of resilient seed varieties.
• Water storage and irrigation solutions.

Demonstration gardens allow communities to develop practical skills while seeing results firsthand.

The programme also supports food processing and preservation, helping communities reduce food insecurity through techniques such as drying fruits, vegetables and root crops.

Women's economic empowerment is another key component. Participants receive financial literacy training and support to establish small businesses including food processing, livestock raising, baking and retail activities.

The programme has increased community resilience while creating new economic opportunities for families.

Income from gardens and small businesses has helped families purchase seeds, pay school fees, buy household essentials and invest in their futures.

Community-led adaptation planning has strengthened disaster preparedness, while training for Village Disaster Climate Risk Committees has helped communities take ownership of local climate adaptation efforts.

• 16 communities supported through climate adaptation activities.
• Over 240 people trained in food processing and preservation.
• More than 260 community disaster committee members trained.
• Community adaptation plans developed across participating locations.
• Women's businesses established through financial literacy and livelihood support.
• Demonstration gardens and nurseries established to promote climate-smart agriculture.

Emily is from a remote community in Solomon Islands participating in Save the Children's Climate Change Adaptation, Resilience and Empowerment (C-CARE) programme.

As part of the project, women's groups are being supported to establish climate-resilient small businesses that can generate income while strengthening community resilience. Emily's group received linen and fabric-dyeing equipment, enabling them to start a new business serving neighbouring communities.

“Since we started, we've already received orders from other villages to dye pillowcases, blankets, bedsheets and other clothes and linen,” Emily says.

The growing demand for their products is creating new economic opportunities for women while helping families diversify their income sources in the face of climate-related challenges. This year, Save the Children staff will continue supporting Emily and her group with additional coaching, mentoring and resources as they work to expand their business and increase its long-term sustainability.

This support is helping women strengthen their livelihoods, contribute to their household income and build more resilient futures for their families and communities.