The Pacific Innovation Forum for Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 1st - 3rd July, 2026

ACTIV Association

Brief overview

We are a Vanuatu-based initiative, supported by ACTIV Association, working with women market vendors to reduce post-harvest losses by transforming surplus fruits and root crops into dried products and gluten-free flours.

By adding value locally, we support income generation, reduce food waste, and strengthen local food systems. The initiative also develops nutritious products such as energy bars using local ingredients, including cacao.

Our approach focuses on practical, community-based solutions that improve resilience to climate impacts while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Your organisations goals

Our initiative focuses on reducing food loss and strengthening climate resilience by transforming surplus fruits and root crops into shelf-stable products such as dried fruits, gluten-free flours, and nutritious food products. By working directly with women market vendors, we address post-harvest waste, which is exacerbated by climate variability and limited storage infrastructure in Vanuatu.

We promote low-energy and solar-supported processing methods to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and improve sustainability. By extending the shelf life of local produce, we help communities better withstand supply disruptions caused by extreme weather events and natural disasters.

Our approach contributes to more resilient local food systems by reducing dependence on imported foods, supporting local livelihoods, and encouraging the use of locally available resources. In addition, we are developing value-added products, including energy bars using local ingredients such as cacao, which can support both nutrition and emergency response efforts.

Through practical, community-driven solutions, we aim to build adaptive capacity at the local level while contributing to climate-smart food production systems in Vanuatu.

Describe your innovation

One key innovation we are implementing is a decentralized, small-scale food processing model that transforms surplus fruits and root crops into shelf-stable products such as dried fruits, gluten-free flours, and nutrient-dense foods.

This model is designed specifically for the context of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), where food systems are highly vulnerable to climate change, extreme weather events, and supply chain disruptions. In Vanuatu, large quantities of fresh produce are lost due to limited storage, transportation challenges, and sudden market closures following cyclones, earthquakes, or heavy rainfall.

Our innovation addresses this challenge by introducing low-energy and solar-supported processing systems that can be deployed locally and operated at community level. By extending the shelf life of perishable crops, the system reduces food waste, stabilizes incomes for women market vendors, and ensures the availability of locally produced food even during periods of disruption.

A key aspect of this approach is its simplicity and replicability. The model does not rely on complex infrastructure and can be adapted across different islands and communities in the Pacific. It also promotes the use of local crops such as cassava, taro, and kumala, reducing dependence on imported food and strengthening food sovereignty.

In addition, the development of value-added products such as energy bars using local ingredients, including cacao, creates opportunities for both improved nutrition and emergency food supply.

This innovation is particularly relevant for PICTs as it combines climate adaptation, food security, and livelihood support in a practical and scalable way.

How is this solution is innovative?

Our solution is innovative because it combines simple, locally adapted processing techniques with a decentralized, community-based model tailored to small island contexts. Rather than relying on large-scale infrastructure, we focus on flexible, low-energy systems that can be implemented close to where food is produced and sold. A key innovation is the integration of surplus recovery with value addition. Instead of treating post-harvest loss as waste, we transform it into marketable products such as dried fruits, gluten-free flours, and nutrient-dense foods.

These products can also be further developed into energy bars using local ingredients, creating a locally produced, shelf-stable food option for disaster preparedness and emergency response. The model prioritizes accessibility and inclusion by working directly with women market vendors, ensuring that the solution builds on existing informal food systems.

Additionally, the use of solar-supported processing and local crops reduces dependence on imported foods and fossil fuels, strengthening resilience to climate and supply chain disruptions.

Overall, the innovation lies in combining simplicity, scalability, and disaster-ready food solutions to support climate resilience in Pacific Island contexts.

How can the innovation be replicated and scaled up in other PICTs?

The innovation is designed to be easily replicated across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) due to its modular, low-cost, and community-based approach. The processing model relies on simple equipment, locally available raw materials, and adaptable techniques that can be implemented in both rural and urban market settings.

Scaling can be supported through partnerships with local organizations, women’s groups, and government agencies involved in agriculture, food security, and disaster management. These partnerships are key to embedding the model within existing community structures and ensuring local ownership.

Capacity building is a central component, including training in food processing, hygiene standards, and small business management, enabling communities to operate and maintain the system independently.

From a financing perspective, the model can be scaled through blended approaches, combining small grants, public funding, and impact-driven investment. Initial support can cover equipment and training, while revenue from value-added products contributes to long-term sustainability.

Because the system is decentralized and adaptable, it can be replicated across islands with different crops and contexts, supporting resilient, locally driven food systems throughout the Pacific.

How is the solution cost‑effective and affordable in the context of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)?

The solution is designed to be cost-effective and affordable for end users in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. It relies on simple, small-scale processing equipment and locally available raw materials, which significantly reduces upfront and operational costs compared to industrial systems.

For communities and women market vendors, the model creates immediate value by transforming unsold or surplus produce into higher-value, shelf-stable products. This allows users to generate additional income from resources that would otherwise be lost, improving affordability through income generation rather than requiring high initial investment.

The decentralized approach also minimizes transportation and storage costs, which are often high in island contexts. Where possible, low-energy or solar-supported processing further reduces ongoing expenses.

For local governments and partners, the model represents a cost-effective way to address multiple challenges simultaneously, including food waste, food security, and disaster preparedness, without the need for large infrastructure investments.

Overall, the solution is financially accessible, income-generating, and adaptable to low-resource settings, making it well-suited to the economic realities of PICTs.

Locations (country, island, or community) where this solution has been piloted and/or implemented

The solution is currently being established in Port Vila, where the processing unit is under development. Key infrastructure, including the food processing facility and a solar energy system, is in the implementation phase.

Preparatory work has already been carried out with women market vendors to identify surplus produce streams and define practical processing needs. Initial product testing, including dried fruits and flour production, has also been conducted on a small scale. The project is now transitioning from preparation to operational phase, with the objective of launching full pilot activities in the coming months.

The model is being designed for expansion to other communities on Efate and outer islands once the initial unit is fully operational. This phased approach ensures that the solution is grounded in local realities and can be effectively scaled across Vanuatu and other Pacific Island contexts.

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute

About

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute (AVOI) is a science-led, community-driven initiative advancing marine restoration, climate resilience and sustainable blue economy development in Vanuatu. Through its Havannah Harbour pilot, AVOI integrates Reef Ball deployment, artificial reef design, drone-enabled monitoring and workforce training via the Vanuatu Ocean Rangers. The model combines innovation and local stewardship to restore ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity and support climate adaptation. By linking technology, community engagement and practical delivery, AVOI is developing a scalable national framework that helps translate ocean policy into measurable outcomes, creating jobs, building local capability and supporting long-term environmental resilience across island communities.

Abyss Vanuatu Ocean Institute (AVOI) delivers integrated, science-led services focused on marine restoration, climate resilience and sustainable environmental management. Its core services include the design and deployment of Reef Ball artificial reef systems and managed vessel reefs to restore degraded marine habitats, enhance biodiversity and support fisheries recovery. AVOI also provides drone-enabled monitoring and survey services, using autonomous and manned systems to track climate impacts, support conservation planning and improve data-driven decision-making across marine and coastal environments.

A central component is the development of the Vanuatu Ocean Rangers program, which builds local workforce capability in restoration, monitoring, conservation and environmental stewardship. AVOI also supports Marine Protected Area (MPA) design, ecological baseline assessments and long-term monitoring frameworks aligned with national ocean policy objectives.

Through community engagement, eco-tourism integration and applied innovation, AVOI connects environmental protection with economic opportunity. Its Havannah Harbour pilot serves as a scalable model to deliver practical climate adaptation, strengthen ecosystem resilience and enable coordinated, whole-of-government environmental outcomes across Vanuatu.

The Innovation

One of AVOI’s key innovations is the integration of the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger program with locally delivered marine restoration systems, including Reef Ball fabrication and deployment. This model combines workforce development, community engagement and practical restoration into a single, scalable framework designed for island environments.

Through structured Vanuatu Ocean Ranger Camps, over a 3 day period AVOI identifies and trains local Ni-Vanuatu participants in marine conservation, Scientific diving, restoration techniques, monitoring and stewardship. One aspect of the Rangers responsibilities is to support the fabrication and deployment of Reef Ball artificial reef systems using locally sourced materials and regional supply chains, significantly reducing costs and increasing local ownership. The approach enables degraded reef systems to be restored while simultaneously building in-country capability and employment pathways, guided by our National AVOI Play Book at its core.

This innovation directly addresses climate change by strengthening reef resilience, supporting fisheries recovery and enhancing coastal protection against storm surge and extreme weather events. It also improves ecosystem health, which is critical for food security and long-term adaptation in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs).

What makes this model particularly relevant for PICTs is its practicality and scalability. It does not rely on high-cost external inputs but instead builds local capacity, integrates customary stewardship and aligns with government policy frameworks. The system can be replicated across islands using a consistent training, deployment and governance approach.

Supported by drone-enabled monitoring and AI self learning data collection, AVOI’s model provides a cost-effective, community-led solution that connects restoration, climate resilience and sustainable economic opportunity in a way that is both locally grounded and nationally scalable.

How is this solution innovative?

AVOI’s solution is innovative because it integrates community workforce development, marine restoration and applied technology into a single, scalable delivery model tailored for island environments. Rather than treating conservation, employment and climate adaptation as separate challenges, AVOI combines them through the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger program and locally delivered Reef Ball restoration systems. This creates a practical pathway where communities are directly trained and employed to restore and monitor their own marine ecosystems. The model also incorporates drone-enabled monitoring and emerging AI-supported survey systems to improve data collection, ecological tracking and rapid response capability, including in remote and disaster-affected areas. This blend of low-cost, locally sourced restoration methods with advanced monitoring technology allows for both accessibility and scientific rigour. What makes the approach particularly innovative is its focus on scalability and replication. By developing a standardised training, deployment and governance framework, AVOI provides a repeatable model based on a National AVOI Play book that can be adapted across Pacific Island Countries, helping translate policy into measurable, community-led climate and environmental outcomes.

How can the innovation be replicated and scaled up in other PICTs

AVOI’s model is designed for replication across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) through a structured, partnership-driven and capacity-focused approach. Following an initial two-year proof-of-concept in Vanuatu, AVOI will develop a refined National PICT Playbook outlining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safe work method statements (SWMS), delivered in both English and Bislama, with visual and pictorial elements to ensure accessibility across diverse communities.

Scaling will be enabled through institutional partnerships with government agencies, regional bodies, scientific partners such as UTS, and local stakeholders, supported by blended financing models including public-private partnerships, eco-tourism revenue streams and conservation funding.

A key component is the development of a simplified, citizen science-based survey framework focused on key indicator species. This approach lowers technical barriers, enabling participation from communities with varying levels of formal education while strengthening data collection and stewardship.

By combining local workforce training, accessible science, and standardised systems, AVOI creates a practical, low-cost model that can be adapted regionally, empowering communities while supporting climate resilience, biodiversity restoration and sustainable economic development across PICTs.

Is your solution cost‑effective and affordable in the context of Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)?

AVOI’s solution is designed to be highly cost-effective and affordable for communities, local governments and small operators across PICTs. A core principle of the model is the use of locally available materials, including aggregates from regional quarries and, where appropriate, surplus or repurposed government materials. This significantly reduces construction and deployment costs for Reef Ball systems and associated infrastructure.

From an end-user perspective, the model lowers financial barriers by building local capability through the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger Camp Initiative and subsequent program, reducing reliance on external expertise and enabling communities to deliver and maintain restoration activities themselves. The integration of eco-tourism also creates revenue-generating opportunities that can help offset ongoing costs.

Affordability is further strengthened through the development of a streamlined cross-departmental approval pathway within the AVOI Playbook. By providing clear guidance on site selection, environmental considerations and standardised processes, local governments can reduce delays, duplication and administrative costs, enabling more efficient project delivery at scale.

Together, these elements create a low-cost, accessible and sustainable model that is practical for widespread adoption across PICTs.

Where is this being piloted?

AVOI’s solution is being piloted in Vanuatu, with Havannah Harbour (North-West Efate) identified as the primary proof-of-concept site, supported by a permanent operational and training hub at Lot 149, Lapita Estate. While over 1,000,000 Reef Balls have been deployed globally across more than 80 countries, this will be the first integrated deployment of this system in Vanuatu. The pilot combines initial baseline surveys across 12 regions using Reef Life Survey (RLS Methodology) prior to any deployments. Once 6 of the sites are selected for deployment we will deploy 50m x 10m of Reef Ball habitat restoration—designed as a 500+ year solution—, allowing us to. Continue to conduct 6 monthly replicated surveys in exactly the same 50m transects to demonstrate recruitment changes providing proof of concept. Together with the Vanuatu Ocean Ranger program, which trains and employs local Ni-Vanuatu to deliver restoration, monitoring and stewardship, supported by drone-enabled surveying, community engagement and eco-tourism integration. The approach is intentionally holistic, linking marine restoration, climate resilience, workforce development, local supply chains and government coordination into a single, place-based model. The Havannah Harbour pilot will be used to refine systems, demonstrate measurable outcomes and establish a scalable framework for national and regional replication across PICTs, through the development of our AVOI National Playbook, helping guide replication across all our satellite sites. Initial training will be conducted through AVOI Headquarters in Havannah Harbour, with Ranger selection conducted through a multi-day conservation camp where participant will all leave with new knowledge and appreciation for the terrestrial and marine environment, and Ocean Rangers selected for employment within the AVOI team at the conclusion of the camps.