The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has announced $1,287,173 in fiscal year 2022 Technical Assistance Program and Maintenance Assistance Program grant funding that will benefit the people of the Federated States of Micronesia through non-governmental organizations and public semi-autonomous utilities.
“This federal investment will benefit the FSM in a variety of ways that range from management of marine protected areas, to establishing a telecommunications network for the outer islands of Yap, and expanding solar energy capacity in Pohnpei,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa. “The funding will also support a robotics program for youth in high schools across all four states in the FSM. Together, these projects help exemplify the depth and strength of the relationship that the United States shares with the people of the FSM.”
The Technical Assistance Program grants totaling $745,083 for fiscal year 2022 will be provided to the following organizations to benefit the Federated States of Micronesia as follows:
- $298,000 – Micronesia Conservation Trust to provide Protected Area Network managers with the tools and capacity to effectively manage their respective protected areas. These efforts support the aim of the Micronesia Challenge to effectively manage at least 50% of marine and 30% of terrestrial resources across the Micronesia region by 2030. Local communities and conservation partners have been establishing community-managed Protected Areas Networks (PAN) to aid recovery of fish stocks and biomass, maintain and improve watersheds and reef health, conserve biodiversity and build resilience against the impacts of climate change.
- $247,083 – Falanruw Foundation for the Pandemic Readiness Project: Yap Outer Islands Public Safety/Emergency Station to install internet connected terminals at a central point in key remote outer islands and connect them to the internet via satellite for to enable 24/7 health and emergency communications capacity between officials in the outer islands to State and National health and safety officials.
- $200,000 – Habele Outer Islands Education Fund to provide high school students across all four states of the FSM with hands-on math and science instruction in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) realm. Many of the students are at remote, under-resourced schools where the Habele Robotics League represents the only experiential learning opportunity.
- $254,090 – Pohnpei Port Authority to procure emergency supplies and equipment necessary to handle any emergencies, whether day or night, and to help the PPA be safety compliant as required by the FAA and other entities related to transportation and ports management.
- $164,500 – Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC) to procure 24 new solar inverters and related equipment to bring online a currently defunct 600kW photovoltaic system. The Pohnlangas solar farm feeds into PUC and is an important component of Pohnpei State’s renewable energy target to become 50% sourced from renewable energy by 2030.
- $123,500 – Yap State Public Service Corporation to procure a backhoe and dump truck to conduct trenching operations related to water and wastewater management
The Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the insular areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia
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