The Marshall Islands had the only all-women delegation at last week’s European Union-sponsored training session in Fiji on managing EU funding. This was not the only notable development for the RMI at the training: RMI was recognized as the first north Pacific nation to move forward with a new funding package from the EU.
“I was surprised to find out at the EU Budget Support and Blending Workshop that RMI Energy Sector has covered all the necessary criteria to advance forward in the 11th EDF Package and that we’re also the first in the North Pacific to be ready to commence the funding package,” said RMI delegation member Angeline Heine-Reimers, RMI’s National Energy Planner at the Ministry of R&D. “This is a big step for the RMI Energy Sector as the funds will only be dispersed based on performance by the energy sector. This means more collaboration and team effort.”
The upcoming EU-provided Economic Development Fund package is worth about $9.8 million to RMI.
Heine-Reimers recognized her colleagues at the Ministry of Finance and MEC for “their assistance and team work.”
RMI officials attending the EU workshop last week in addition to Heine-Reimers were Jennifer Tseng and Malie Tarbwillin from the Ministry of Finance Division of International Development Assistance and Brenda Lulu Kabua, Chief of Administration.
The objective of the training was to enable participants to design and implement effectively budget support programs financed by the EU. “The European Union’s move to budget support in the Pacific wherever possible heralds a significant change and a growing maturity of relations with partner countries,” said European Union Ambassador to Fiji and the Pacific Andrew Jacobs.
Read more about this in the November 4, 2016 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.