Regional initiatives

Key trends and development challenges

The “Regional initiatives” recipient category captures both funding allocated to regional organisations and projects implemented across multiple countries. Between 2008 and 2023, annual official development finance (ODF) disbursements to regional projects — including grants, loans, and other forms of assistance — averaged $422 million. Funds earmarked as regionally focused constituted the second-largest recipient in the Pacific Aid Map, accounting for 17% of incoming ODF flows in 2023, the highest level on record.

Australia is the largest provider of development funds to regional initiatives, accounting for 42% of funding inflows. The next-largest providers are New Zealand (23%), Japan (9%), and Canada (5%).

The Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) brings together several regional inter-governmental agencies. Collectively, CROP agencies capture around a fifth of regionally earmarked ODF inflows. The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region and the major CROP recipient in the Pacific.

ODF disbursements to regional initiatives are distinct from regional trends. For instance, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and water management see a greater focus when compared with Pacific averages as they are initiatives typically tackled with a multi-country approach. Regional projects are also predominantly focused on human development over infrastructure.