November 28, 2024, Central Guadalcanal – The Bahomea and Malango Community Benefit Sharing Trust Association has finalised registrations and nominations for the upcoming elections for the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Community Advisory Committee (CAC) with 2500 members registered to vote. People from over 70 Tina catchment communities are set to elect 4 Board of Trustees and 14 Community Advisory Committee members via ballot on 12 December 2024.
The Community Benefit Sharing (CBS) Fund will provide collective, non-cash benefits to core landowners and the wider project host communities to promote sustainable development, enhance socio-economic conditions and encourage active community participation. The Fund, built around a community led approach, has been designed for community members to be able to apply for grants to support local priority projects.
Membership to the Trust Association is open to community members with connections to the Bahomea or Malango tribes or long-time residency in the project areas. Community projects are proposed and approved through a meticulous process involving concept note preparation which is reviewed by the Community Advisory Committee, submission of full project proposals, and final approval by the Board of Trustees. The CBS Trust Fund receives funding from the hydropower revenue produced by the Tina River Hydro Development Project along with grants, donations, and interest earned from its bank accounts.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification, Dr Chris Vehe said he was pleased to see so many eligible community members register to vote. “The Bahomea and Malango Community Benefit Sharing Trust Association will oversee the governance and management of the Trust Fund, comprising a Board of Trustees, a Community Advisory Committee, a Fund Management Office, and its members,” he said. “Each entity plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective administration of the Fund and the realisation of priority sub projects. Having communities vote for the people they want to fill these roles, is especially important.”
The Community Benefit Sharing Project team conducted awareness sessions throughout October to provide communities with detailed information outlining the election process, membership eligibility, and selection guidelines on how to nominate members for both entities. They also educated communities on the purpose of the CBS Fund, how beneficiaries will be impacted and the governance structure in place to ensure the Fund will operate in a fair, inclusive, and sustainable manner.
With financing from the World Bank, the second phase of the Community Benefit Sharing Project is being implemented by the Solomon Islands Government to support the Tina River Hydropower Development Project and deliver improved roads, water supply, and electricity connections to local communities. It will also ensure there is an effective and sustainable way to distribute a part of the revenue from the operation of the hydropower facility directly into communities in and around the Tina River project site.
The Community Benefit Sharing Trust Fund stands to create long term positive impact for the Bahomea and Malango communities, offering a platform for inclusive development and community empowerment.
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Nominations for the Community Benefit Sharing Trust Fund elections close with 2500 people registered to vote
