Outcome VUT_D_1.1

By 2027, more people, especially those at risk of being left behind, contribute to and benefit from sustainable, resilient, diversified, inclusive and human-centred socio-economic systems with decent work and equal livelihoods opportunities, reducing inequalities and ensuring shared prosperity [PCF Strategic Priority 3: Prosperity]

This outcome is on track. In 2023, Vanuatu found itself in the throes of a six-month State of Emergency, a period that marked a pivotal shift in the nation's priorities. During this time, the Government of Vanuatu redirected its focus and resources, galvanizing efforts towards critical response and recovery endeavours. This urgent pivot was necessitated by the aftermath of three catastrophic tropical cyclones and a 6.6 magnitude earthquake, wreaking havoc on infrastructure and homes across the nation. As a result, the momentum toward advancing new policies with government partners was slowed down, haltering the progression of market ordinances and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that had been poised for adoption. Despite the economic and environmental challenges and setback in the policy development process, in Vanuatu, UN Women through the Markets for Change (M4C) project continued its work in the markets by promoting sustainability, resilience, diversification, inclusivity, and human-centeredness, while providing decent work and equal livelihood opportunities for individuals, especially women market vendors. Individuals, particularly women market vendors, are prioritized in the human-centered socio-economic approach undertaken by the Markets for Change (M4C) programme. Through a multifaceted strategy encompassing capacity building, resource access, and women's leadership development, these efforts aim to enhance the well-being and agency of all members of society. By emphasizing dignity, agency, and prosperity, these initiatives contribute to a more compassionate and equitable socio-economic landscape. Market Vendors Associations (MVAs) continue to be the backbone of support for market vendors, particularly women, championing their welfare and ensuring that economic development initiatives are tailored to meet their specific needs. The leadership of twelve women executive members from six MVAs in Vanuatu is evident in their effective governance and participation in decision-making processes within their respective associations. These women leaders play a crucial role in elevating the voice and agency of women market vendors and shaping their MVAs into inclusive, efficient, and representative advocacy groups. By providing platforms for vendors to voice challenges and recommend solutions, MVAs contribute to a more resilient marketplace. The MVAs proactively engage with stakeholders, for the collective benefit of vendors, such as through consultations with government bodies like the Shefa Provincial Government and leading vibrant community events like the International Day of Rural Women celebration. In 2023, a dedicated emphasis on inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development, particularly aimed at women market vendors in the informal sector, prioritized resilience for the long-term viability of businesses, livelihoods and prosperity in Vanuatu. Central to this resilience-building effort were capacity-building programmes tailored for women market vendors. These equipped 490 women market vendors with essential skills and resources, including financial literacy training and access to mobile money apps, enabling them to better withstand and recover from crises. Additionally, agricultural training focused on resilient farming practices empowered vendors to adapt to climate variability and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters on their livelihoods. Furthermore, the women market vendors had improved access to and utilisation of essential services, resources, protective goods and information through the programme. By addressing specific needs and challenges faced by women vendors, such as gender-based violence services and maternal health, the programme has created a more supportive and inclusive marketplace environment. This has broken barriers to access and empowered women market vendors to actively engage in economic activities and decision-making processes to support a landscape where all individuals can thrive and contribute to economic growth. Market administrators in Vanuatu continue to grow in their capacity to provide support to market vendors to enhance decent work conditions. Through their emphasis on promoting gender equality and embracing a collaborative, inclusive approach to socio-economic development, these institutions guarantee that decision-making processes at both the local and provincial levels are responsive to the diverse needs of market vendors. In 2023, the work of market administrators focused on the ensuring safe and hygienic marketplaces and tackling the real-life challenges encountered by vendors, ranging from damages to market shelters due to natural disasters to issues concerning land resources. Importantly, the initiative extends its impact beyond safeguarding against potential pandemics and diseases, to also instigate a cultural shift within the marketplace. By promoting a culture of collective responsibility, a collaborative community environment is being nurtured among all stakeholders. This holistic approach to health and safety represents a fundamental behaviour change, emphasizing shared responsibility marketplace well-being and prosperity.

By 2027, more people, especially those at risk of being left behind, contribute to and benefit from sustainable, resilient, diversified, inclusive and human-centred socio-economic systems with decent work and equal livelihoods opportunities, reducing inequalities and ensuring shared prosperity [PCF Strategic Priority 3: Prosperity]

In 2024, Vanuatu achieved transformative progress in creating inclusive, resilient marketplace systems through UN Women's Markets for Change project, directly impacting over 600 individuals across multiple initiatives. This comprehensive approach encompassed economic empowerment, leadership development, institutional strengthening, and infrastructure enhancement, specifically targeting those most at risk of being left behind in the informal economy sector. The initiatives' quantitative reach extends across multiple dimensions, engaging 73 market vendors in economic empowerment programs, reaching over 140 women vendors and leaders through governance initiatives, strengthening 42 institutional stakeholders' capabilities, and improving conditions for more than 400 vendors through infrastructure enhancements. Through the Save Plus Initiative partnership with ANZ Bank, thirty-three urban market vendors (31 women, 2 men) gained access to formal banking services and financial literacy training, creating sustainable pathways for economic resilience. Notably, forty women market vendors from Shefa Province achieved comprehensive food safety certification using WHO methodology, enhancing their legal standing and economic opportunities through culturally adapted training in Bislama language. Women's representation remains consistently high across all interventions, ranging from 76% to 97% of participants. Profound behavioral transformations characterize these interventions. Market vendors now implement enhanced food safety protocols and demonstrate advanced financial management capabilities, including succession planning and risk forecasting. The provision of 350 market benches and stools across Port Vila and Luganville markets has addressed vendors' physical needs during long selling hours, while enhanced ICT equipment and maintenance resources have strengthened operational capacity. Institutional performance has strengthened through strategic partnerships and enhanced capabilities. The Project Working Committee has united seventeen women among twenty total participants, representing markets from Silae Vanua, Northern Islands, Emua, Beverly Hills, and Marobe. Market Vendor Associations (MVAs) have demonstrated sophisticated resource management capabilities and significant influence in policy processes. Through their participation in both the Project Working Committee and Project Management Committee, MVA representatives have successfully advocated for improved communication channels between vendors and local governments, shaped monitoring systems, and established new pathways for vendor representation in decision-making processes. These initiatives exemplify rights-based approaches through systematic engagement between vendors and decision-makers, development of inclusive governance frameworks, and ensuring equal access to improved facilities. Key examples of vendor-government engagement include the International Women's Day celebration at Marobe Market, where twenty-five women market vendors participated in direct dialogue with government officials about their rights and needs. Similarly, the International Rural Women's Day celebration demonstrated inclusive representation by bringing together over one hundred rural women vendors from Efate's five markets in a session opened by Vanuatu's sole female Member of Parliament, creating a platform for rural women's voices in policy discussions. Gender-responsive design fundamentally shifts power dynamics within marketplace structures. Women's majority representation in training programs ensures their perspectives shape institutional approaches, while developed frameworks systematically address gender-specific needs in market governance. This is evidenced by MVAs' growing influence in governance processes, where they have shaped strategic oversight of the Markets for Change initiative and contributed to alignment with national frameworks. The commitment to leaving no one behind manifests through comprehensive inclusion strategies. Training delivered in the indigenous Bislama language ensures accessibility and cultural appropriateness, while targeted support for informal sector workers creates pathways to formal economic participation. The integration of disability-inclusive planning aligns market governance with the Vanuatu Disability Inclusive Development Policy (2018-2025), though opportunities exist to strengthen systematic data collection on disability inclusion. Protection and safety considerations are embedded throughout these initiatives, with enhanced market infrastructure reducing congestion and improving visibility. The integration of Family Protection Act frameworks into training programs advances vendor wellbeing, while regular facility maintenance supports both public health and disaster resilience. Building on previous infrastructure investments, 2024 activities focused on maintaining these investments and building financial resilience through initiatives like Save Plus, which equipped vendors with skills to establish financial buffers against natural disasters and economic shocks. The transformative impact extends beyond individual skill development to create systemic change. Participants have gained food safety certification, accessed formal banking services, and developed emergency funds. The comprehensive capacity strengthening creates sustainable mechanisms for addressing gender-based inequalities in market systems, while enhanced institutional capabilities ensure continued advancement of inclusive market governance. These initiatives advance both national and regional development frameworks through strategic alignment with the Vanuatu National Sustainable Development Plan 2016-2030 and the Pacific UNSCDF Prosperity Pillar. While no new national or local strategies were adopted in 2024, the program continued to advance existing policies such as the Vanuatu National Gender Equality Policy 2020-2030 and the Vanuatu Disability Inclusive Development Policy 2018-2025. This progress stems from effective collaboration between multiple implementing partners, including UN Women, UNDP, the Department of Women's Affairs, municipal councils, and Sanma Provincial Council. Supporting organizations encompass ANZ Bank, Balance of Power, Vanuatu Women's Centre, Mind Care, and Market Vendors Associations. To further enhance impact, opportunities exist to expand digital transformation elements and enhance geographic coverage. Developing formal handover strategies and strengthening local resource mobilization will support long-term sustainability. These strategic enhancements will build upon the demonstrated success in creating sustainable pathways for economic participation while preserving the unique characteristics of local market systems.