Marine Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods

Building Resilient Communities through Marine Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods

Climate change and biodiversity loss are threatening the livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Hall Sound Bay, Papua New Guinea. Severe erosion, loss of coral reefs, and the degradation of mangrove ecosystems leave these coastal communities at the forefront of climate shocks.

With support from USAID through the Pacific American Fund, Kyeema is partnering with Yule Island Council of Women’s Association (YICWA) to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities through nature-based solutions and sustainable development initiatives.

This project combines marine ecosystem restoration and sustainable livelihoods to empower communities to adapt to these challenges, with a special focus on women-led initiatives.

Where: Hall Sound Bay, Papua New Guinea

Status: In progress

Supported by: USAID through the Pacific America Fund

What are we doing?

Restoring Marine Ecosystems
We aim to protect and restore vital ecosystems, including coral reefs and mangroves, which act as natural buffers against climate impacts. By establishing coral gardens and mangrove nurseries, the project will improve biodiversity, mitigate erosion, and strengthen coastal resilience.
Alternative Livelihoods for Sustainability
Introducing and scaling village chicken farming as an income-generating and nutrition-enhancing activity will provide communities with a sustainable alternative to over-reliance on marine resources.
Empowering Women and Communities
Partnering with the Yule Island Council of Women’s Association (YICWA), we will train local leaders and households to manage these activities, ensuring long-term sustainability and community ownership.

More importantly, why?

Communities in Hall Sound Bay face significant threats to their food security, health, and livelihoods due to climate change and the loss of critical ecosystems. Coral reefs and mangroves play a vital role in protecting coastal areas and supporting marine life, yet these resources are rapidly disappearing. At the same time, families struggle to find alternative ways to sustain themselves.

This project not only addresses the urgent need to restore these ecosystems but also provides practical, sustainable solutions for income and nutrition, particularly for women and marginalised groups.

Coastal erosion on Yule Island

Expected Impact

Engage 1,325 community members, with a focus on empowering women and marginalized groups.
Establish 4 coral gardens and 4 mangrove nurseries to support marine ecosystem recovery.
Train 240 individuals in coral gardening, mangrove restoration, and village chicken farming.
Support the creation of 80 backyard chicken farms, improving food security and household income.

Will this work contribute to ongoing change?

This initiative is designed with sustainability at its core:

Community Ownership: Training local leaders and organizations ensures the knowledge and skills remain in the community.
Long-Term Impact: By linking ecosystem restoration with alternative livelihoods, we create a balanced approach that benefits both the environment and the people who depend on it.
Scalability: The project lays a foundation for scaling similar initiatives in other vulnerable coastal regions of Papua New Guinea and beyond.

We measure our outcomes against indicators set out for the specific globally recognised sustainable development goals for 2030

Thanks to our donor

We are grateful for the support of USAID through the Pacific American Fund, which makes this important work possible. Their funding is helping us partner with local communities to create a positive and lasting impact.

Our Partners

Conservation and Environment Protection Authority

Yule Island Council of Women’s Association (YICWA)

If you’d like to support our work, your donation can help us do even more. Every contribution helps us protect ecosystems and improve the lives of families in need.

Website by Paolo Curray.