CAUSE II Holds 2nd Project Steering Committee Meeting in Honiara

Honiara, Solomon Islands – The Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement II (CAUSE II) Project held its second Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting on 25 September at the IBS Dynasty Restaurant in Honiara, bringing together key government partners, representatives from the World Bank (WB) and the Australian High Commission (AHC), and committee members from participating ministries.

The meeting provided an important platform to review progress and endorse key directions for the year ahead. Updates highlighted that nearly 40 percent of survey and design works for township development have been completed, alongside notable progress in environmental and social safeguards. Training activities remain central to the project, with over 500 residents already trained across Auki, Gizo, Noro, and Honiara this year, contributing to the project’s target of 4,700 participants.

A major milestone of the meeting was the endorsement of the CAUSE II 2026 budget, which will continue to prioritize resilient roads, bridges, and urban infrastructure. Committee members commended the project’s alignment with the Solomon Islands Government’s broader infrastructure development agenda and its focus on inclusive, climate-resilient growth.

The PSC also endorsed the proposal to introduce segmented contracting, a move designed to broaden participation by enabling smaller, local contractors to compete for project works. This strategy is expected to foster greater inclusiveness, strengthen local capacity, and ensure that more of the project’s economic benefits reach communities and businesses at the grassroots level.

Discussions further emphasized the project’s impact on women and youth, who continue to make up a significant share of participants in training and employment opportunities. Members also reflected on the success of community labor models, concrete pavement initiatives, and other infrastructure works that are improving access, safety, and resilience in Honiara, Auki, Gizo, and Noro.

The meeting concluded with appreciation from the chair for the active participation of all stakeholders and the strong support of development partners. The next PSC meeting is scheduled for February 2026, where progress on endorsed activities will be reviewed.

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The Community Access and Urban Services Enhancement II (CAUSE II) Project is a transformative initiative aimed at improving climate-resilient infrastructure, enhancing economic inclusion, and strengthening service delivery in targeted urban centers across the Solomon Islands. Led by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Honiara City Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey, and the Provincial Governments of Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Western Province, CAUSE II is a Government of Solomon Islands initiative. The project is supported by the World Bank and the Government of Australia through the Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands Umbrella Facility Multi-Donor Trust Fund (PPIUF).