AUSaid partnership - building the bungalows
the wilderness lodge
solomon islands

ECF - AusAID partnership

Wilderness Lodge and AusAID's Enterprise Challenge Fund (ECF) are partnering to realise a Business Enhancement and Capacity Building Initiative. After a one year planning and submission process, this Partnership Initiative officially commenced on the 1st of October 2009 with a project timeframe of two years. Approved activities include:

The Agreement engages Wilderness's extensive experience and capacity in developing village-based ecotourism to maximise benefits to village people in the most environmentally- and socially-sustainable manner possible. All project activities have been designed and equipment selected to provide a range of Wilderness services in the most energy efficient, clean and low maintenance manner possible, with village value-added materials being used wherever possible. The two oceanfront bungalows will increase total accomodation capacity from the current 6 guests to 12 guests, but with great care taken in design to ensure privacy and intimacy are enhanced whilst impacts on village life and the natural environment are minimised.

ECF represents a groundbreaking change in AusAID's approach to growing rural livelihoods in the Pacific Islands - engaging directly with the rural private sector enterprises as an alternative to the profound inefficiencies experienced in implementing development only through bilateral channels. For more information on AusAID's Enterprise Challenge Fund visit www.enterprisechallengefund.org and stay tuned to this website for updates and news on this innovative approach to really making a difference to island people's futures.

image galleries

View all image galleries