Outcome FIJ_D_2.1

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, efforts to enhance sustainability and resilience in marketplaces in Fiji became paramount, especially amidst diverse risks and challenges. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) and thirteen Municipal Councils, initiatives within market operations and management showcase a dedicated drive towards compliance, diversification, and inclusivity. This concerted effort has cultivated more equitable marketplaces, offering enhanced economic opportunities for women. In addition, collaborative partnerships led by Market Vendors Associations (MVAs) underscore a steadfast commitment to advancing decent work and equal livelihood opportunities across the market and agricultural sectors, while nurturing social cohesion within vendor communities. Rooted in a human-centered approach, these endeavors champion fairness, inclusivity, and empowerment for all stakeholders, laying a sturdy groundwork for the resilience and sustainability of marketplaces in Fiji. The collaboration between the Ministry of Local Government (MOLG) and UN Women is shaping the policy environment of marketplaces in Fiji to be more gender inclusive. The review of market bylaws, with a gender and inclusivity lens, is leading to the creation of gender-responsive and disability-friendly marketplaces in Fiji. By prioritizing health, safety, and universal access standards, this approach considers the diverse needs of market vendors and the marketing public. Gender-responsive actions implemented in market administration and operations ensure that the rights and needs of all individuals, including those with disabilities, are considered and respected. The incorporation of features such as ramps, additional restrooms for women, and changing rooms for mothers and babies promotes inclusivity and equal participation. The upkeep of Women’s Accommodation Centres for rural women vendors continues to enable them to remain fully engaged in market activities, contributing to the economic development of rural communities, thus promoting broader socio-economic inclusion. Municipal Councils have also emphasized compliance with national building codes across markets in 2023, ensuring sustainable infrastructure capable of withstanding adverse conditions and ensuring the continuity of economic activities. There has also been enforcement of public health and environmental regulations, which exemplify a human-centered approach by prioritizing the well-being and safety of both vendors and customers and enhancing the resilience of markets against potential health crises and environmental hazards. MVAs have seen notable growth in their collective influence in 2023, progressively honing their leadership capabilities. They championed transparency, and accountability, and advocated for regulatory reforms while prioritizing the economic prosperity, well-being, and rights of vendors. Tailored initiatives, such as cervical cancer screenings and specialized training programs, address specific needs and empower women and marginalized groups. By providing access to essential healthcare services and skill-building opportunities, MVAs empower women to take control of their health and economic well-being, thereby enhancing their income security and economic autonomy. MVAs also lead on collaborative events which celebrate diversity, fostering social bonds and cohesion among vendors, thus contributing to more harmonious and vibrant marketplaces. Furthermore, market vendors are demonstrating the tangible benefits of capacity building, particularly in financial management and disaster preparedness, enabling them to take control over the decisions and actions that influence the outcomes of their businesses. Moreover, the promotion of cooperative models, diversification, and value chains amongst the vendor community is fostering collaboration and sustainability within the agricultural and market sectors, ultimately contributing to the economic empowerment and long-term success of women in these fields. Approximately 1,805 women market vendors across 13 markets in Fiji were reached to access information, education, key resources (finances, technological tools), services (including social assistance and insurance), and protective goods to advance their economic potential and adaptiveness in crisis. These initiatives ensure equal access to resources and opportunities, contributing to the diversification of income streams and market offerings. In summary, these initiatives have created an enabling environment for decent work and equal livelihood opportunities, fostering sustainable change within the market and agricultural sectors. Finally, the visit of four high-level international delegations from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand to Fiji markets in 2023 provided a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between informal small-market entrepreneurs and global stakeholders. These delegations, comprising government officials, policymakers, and international organizations, witnessed firsthand the entrepreneurship, innovation, and resilience displayed by vendors in their daily operations. These visits have elevated visibility and created opportunities for insights, expertise, and resources to support the development of these entrepreneurs, empowering them to seize opportunities for growth and support Municipal Councils in garnering national and international support for initiatives aimed at enhancing market infrastructure, promoting market access for marginalized groups, and improving market governance.

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, the Markets for Change interventions in Fiji demonstrated remarkable progress toward sustainable, resilient and inclusive economic transformation, reaching 2,541 individuals - predominantly 2072 women (82%) and 469 men- across Fiji's urban, rural and remote communities. The initiative exemplifies a rights-based approach by empowering traditionally marginalized market vendors, particularly women, to transition from informal to formal economic participation through enhanced financial inclusion, digital literacy, and leadership capabilities, while strengthening social protection through secure overnight accommodations and health service delivery. The transformation of Market Vendor Associations (MVA) into powerful platforms for collective action, with 80% women in leadership, represents a significant shift in power dynamics and institutional governance, creating mechanisms for advocacy for their rights and social protections. This human-centered development approach addresses multiple dimensions of exclusion simultaneously—tackling gender inequalities, geographic isolation, and economic marginalization through climate-resilient infrastructure improvements, gender-responsive service delivery, and capacity building—while establishing multi-layered safety nets for informal workers. Notably, duty bearers including municipal councils and government ministries have fundamentally transformed their institutional practices to better serve women vendors' needs, exemplified by the adaptation of health screening services at market locations to accommodate vendors' time constraints and protect their wellbeing. The initiative's success in integrating environmental sustainability with economic empowerment and social protection mechanisms showcases how targeted interventions can advance both individual rights and institutional transformation while ensuring no one is left behind in the journey toward shared prosperity. The transformation in institutional performance and individual behaviour is evident through multiple dimensions. Financial inclusion has seen 190 women market vendors complete financial literacy certification, with 75 transitioning to formal banking through a structured savings program. This shift from informal to formal financial participation has been complemented by enhanced digital capabilities, as 90 women mastered essential digital literacy and business management skills, dismantling traditional barriers to technology access and economic participation. Institutional transformation is particularly visible in the emergence of robust MVAs as platforms for collective action achieving 80% women's representation in their Executive Committees. This structural change has normalized women's leadership roles and reshaped market governance. 22 MVA leaders have strengthened their governance and advocacy capabilities, translating enhanced capacity into concrete outcomes through detailed workplans and monitoring frameworks. In a remarkable display of this transformed leadership capacity, the Nausori and Namaka MVAs leaders—many of whom spend their regular days selling produce—demonstrated exceptional organizational capabilities in coordinating complex multi-stakeholder events, such as high-level market visits, working seamlessly with local market management, town councils,&UN Women. The significance of these achievements is particularly striking given the context: these are vendors from the informal sector, traditionally overlooked in formal economic discussions now confidently leading discussions with foreign government officials &international organization leaders. Furthermore, economic opportunities have expanded beyond local boundaries, as evidenced by MVA members participation in international events &exploration of private sector partnerships, including potential collaboration with Marriott International. The commitment to environmental sustainability &climate resilience is demonstrated through 337 women vendor-farmers adopting climate-smart agriculture practices—a gender-equitable approach to agricultural transformation. By enabling women farmers to spread their labour across seasons rather than concentrate it in high-intensity periods, these practices align with women's responsibilities managing both farm work, market vending and household duties. The steady income stream throughout the year gives women more financial autonomy &predictable resources to support their families. The system particularly benefits women by reducing their vulnerability to crop failures, as they can maintain multiple growth cycles simultaneously. When one harvest faces challenges, others can help sustain household food security and income. This risk mitigation is especially important since women farmers often have less access to formal credit and insurance mechanisms than their male counterparts. Infrastructure improvements have created disaster-resilient facilities for 582 vendors in two island communities. Vunisea Market on Kadavu Island & Levuka Market on Ovalau Island exemplify how gender-responsive, climate-adaptive and disability-inclusive infrastructure can enhance economic opportunities while ensuring protection for marginalized groups. The expansion of Levuka Market, which serves rural and remote island communities, from 30 to 132 vendor capacity marks a 340% increase in available trading spaces, representing a significant boost to local commerce potential. Levuka’s overnight accommodation of 25 sleeping spaces for women vendors represents a significant advancement in addressing time poverty and safety concerns—eliminating hours of daily travel for rural women who previously had to commute long distances by boat before dawn to reach the market. These solutions demonstrate how thoughtful design can address multiple barriers to women's economic participation simultaneously. Professional advancement has reached new milestones with 50 women achieving food safety certification, while health security has been enhanced through health screenings for 138 women vendors, delivered through gender-responsive service models that brought care directly to markets. This innovative approach to service delivery deliberately addresses time poverty faced by women vendors, who typically juggle market responsibilities with household duties, by integrating essential services into their workday rather than requiring separate trips to service providers. This service delivery model represents a significant shift in how duty bearers - including municipal councils, health authorities, and government ministries - have adapted their institutional practices to respond to women vendors' needs, demonstrating a transformation in how public services can be delivered more effectively to reach traditionally underserved populations. The initiative has also equipped 13 rural markets with weather-protection tents &waste management solutions, benefiting an additional 300 vendors and demonstrating commitment to geographic inclusion. This comprehensive intervention demonstrates significant progress toward the 2027 Prosperity outcome by fostering inclusive economic participation, enhancing institutional responsiveness to marginalized populations' needs, and promoting sustainable business practices. The transformative impact extends beyond individual beneficiaries to influence broader institutional practices and social norms, contributing to the Pacific UNSDCF's vision of a diversified, sustainable, and human-centered socio-economic system that reduces inequalities and ensures shared prosperity through green&blue economy opportunities, sustainable agri-food systems, and digital transformation. These achievements have been realized through coordinated efforts between UN Women,UNDP,ANZ Bank, Government Ministries(Local Government; Trade, Cooperatives, Small &Micro-Enterprises: Health; Women, Children &Social Protection) Municipal Councils, Market Management Authorities, DFAT, the governments of NZ&Canada.