Home Institution

Brown University

Publication Date

Spring 2009

Program Name

Samoa: Pacific Island Studies

Abstract

This study examines the efficacy of community-based climate change adaptation projects in Samoa, comparing evaluations conducted by agencies responsible for the projects to the opinions of the community involved. Specific projects with community-centered missions and methods are compared across different environmental agencies in Samoa, including the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The research examines how closely the implementation of each project matches its initial goals, how the success of implementation and community involvement is measured by the agency and whether evaluative tools were used on the project upon completion. Primary research was conducted at project sites through surveys and interviews to conduct an external assessment of the community’s education from, involvement in and satisfaction with the project. Review of materials and opinions from each agency are compared to the primary research to show the overall success of the project. Discrepancies between evaluations by the agencies and community feedback following project completion reveal areas for improvement in evaluating and maintaining projects post-implementation, including opportunities for long-term monitoring. The information produced by this study seeks to improve evaluative tools for future community-based climate change projects in Samoa.

Disciplines

Natural Resources Management and Policy

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