Fiji Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project

The development objective of Social Protection COVID-19 Response and System Development Project for Fiji is to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis on the income of the unemployed and underemployed, and to increase efficiency and adaptability of the social protection system.

(Objectives before Implementations)
• Income Support during COVID-19 Crisis
- Mitigated income loss for unemployed and underemployed Fijians caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Strengthened Social Protection System
- Increased efficiency and adaptability of Fiji’s social protection delivery system, with improved processes for rapid response.
• Community Resilience & Employment
- Temporary employment opportunities created through the Jobs for Nature 2.0 program, supporting vulnerable communities and contributing to environmental rehabilitation.
• Institutional Capacity Building
- Ministry of Finance and related agencies equipped with operational manuals, adaptive strategies, and improved systems for future crisis response.
• Gender & Inclusion Outcomes
- Equitable access to benefits for women and vulnerable groups, reducing gender disparities in income recovery and social protection access.

Woman/ Female represented 2% of FNPF top-up cash transfer recipients, totaling 29,219 out of 68,864 individuals. In the broader unemployment assistance program, women made up 51.6% of all beneficiaries. Among those in the informal sector, approximately 59% of assistance recipients were women, compared to 45% in the formal sector. Additionally, women constituted a striking 84% of participants in the Jobs for Nature 2.0 training program, highlighting their strong engagement in skill development initiatives.

• 68,864 unemployed/underemployed were supported via FNPF top-ups.
• 536,271 individuals in formal and informal sectors were received direct cash transfers.
• Adaptive Social Protection Strategy & Implementation Plan approved by Cabinet in April 2024.
• 12,606 people were employed in community green public works under Jobs for Nature 2.0.
• 222 degraded sites restored using nature-based solutions.
• 93% of grievances resolved on time for Jobs for Nature 2.0 wage payments.
• Disbursement rate: over 90% of IDA financing utilized (≈USD 89.6m).

• Commitment Amount USD 50000000
• Project aligned with Government of Fiji’s broader COVID-19 recovery programs.
• Coordination with the Fiji National Provident Fund for unemployment assistance.
• The project achieved or exceeded its main objectives of providing cash transfers to unemployed and underemployed during COVID-19 (over 600,000 beneficiaries)
• A total of SDR 4.6m was cancelled at the Government’s request in July 2025, with revised allocations reflecting exchange rate adjustments.

There is no direct component involving technology development or transfer.

• Component 2: Institutional Strengthening (Cost: $6 million) aimed to improve the efficiency and adaptability of the social protection system.
• Training and operational manuals were developed for staff and stakeholders, e.g.:
- Adaptive Social Protection Strategy and Implementation Plan approved in 2024.
- Strong Together Program operational manual.
- Training of stakeholders in the Jobs for Nature 2.0 program (1,440 participants by project end).
• These activities strengthened the capacity of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, and community groups to implement social protection programs efficiently.