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Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea (EU-STREIT PNG)

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News
The Bridge That Cocoa Farmers Built: A Model of Rural Resilience in the Sepik, Papua New Guinea

When floodwaters damaged the only bridge connecting Hambini to the outside world, the farmers did not wait. Using community labour and savings from cocoa and vanilla sales, backed by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme, this remote community built a permanent bridge of steel, concrete and timber. The new crossing ends 22 months of isolation and difficult access for 9,000 villagers, restoring a vital route for people, goods and services.

News
Independent Evaluation Mission Concludes Major Review of EU-STREIT PNG Programme in Sepik, Papua New Guinea

An Independent Evaluation Team commissioned by the European Union has wrapped up an intensive field mission across East and West Sepik, taking stock of how the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is strengthening cocoa, vanilla and fisheries value chains and improving rural livelihoods in the Sepik region.

News
From Aitape to Anywhere: A Digital Resource Centre Connecting Rural Learners and Agribusinesses to the World

At St. Ignatius Secondary School in Aitape, a Digital Resource Centre established by ITU and FAO under the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is helping to improve both learning and livelihoods. Rural students are using computers and the internet for the first time, while local farmers and agripreneurs are using the same facility to learn digital skills, promote their products online and grow their small agribusinesses.

News
High-Level European Diplomats Hail Impact of EU-STREIT PNG Programme on Rural Livelihoods in Sepik, Papua New Guinea

On a field visit to cocoa and vanilla communities in the region, the Ambassadors of the European Union and Denmark toured production sites, processing facilities and upgraded infrastructure, where they saw how an EU-funded initiative is helping smallholders move beyond subsistence, build viable agribusinesses, secure better prices for quality produce and create new opportunities for women and youth.

News
FAO Supports Development of the First National Women and Youth in Agriculture Policy in Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is formulating the first National Women and Youth in Agriculture Policy (2025–2035) to put women and youth at the centre of farming and agribusiness and improve fair access to land, finance, markets and services, with FAO support through the EU-STREIT PNG Programme and nationwide consultations.

 

The Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment, and Trade in Papua New Guinea (EU-STREIT PNG) Programme is the largest grant-funded initiative of the European Union in the Pacific. Implemented as a United Nations joint programme by FAO, ILO, ITU, UNCDF, and UNDP, it aims to enhance rural livelihoods, promote economic growth, and build resilient communities in East Sepik and West Sepik provinces of Papua New Guinea.

The Programme strengthens key agribusiness value chains—cocoa, vanilla, and fisheries—while improving access to digital services, financial inclusion, transport infrastructure, and renewable energy solutions. It also focuses on strengthening micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and ensuring inclusivity of gender and youth, as well as differently abled persons along all nodes of these value chains.

Working in close collaboration with national, provincial, and local government and administration institutions, partners, and stakeholders, the EU-STREIT PNG Programme has:

  • Reached nearly half a million people
  • Benefited over 83,000 rural families
  • Built the capacity of 33,000+ farmers
  • Empowered more than 750 farming groups

By integrating sustainable agricultural practices, digital innovation, MSME development, and inclusive economic opportunities, the EU-STREIT PNG is fostering a more resilient and prosperous future for rural Papua New Guinea. 

In Focus
Infographic: How the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is Revitalizing the Cocoa Value Chain in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Region
Infographic
Infographic: Revitalizing Cocoa Value Chain in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Region
08/2025

Infographic: How the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is Revitalizing and Strengthening the Cocoa Value Chain to Advance Agribusiness, Promote Sustainable Development,...

Infographic: How the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is Revitalizing the Cocoa Value Chain in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Region
Infographic
Infographic: Revitalizing Vanilla Value Chain in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik Region
08/2025

Infographic: How the EU-STREIT PNG Programme is Revitalizing and Strengthening the Vanilla Value Chain to Advance Agribusiness, Promote Sustainable...

EU-STREIT PNG's Learning Event 2025
05/08/2025

EU-STREIT PNG Programme held a significant Learning and Innovation Event from July 22-23, 2025, in Wewak, East Sepik Province. The two-day event highlighted transformative practices and success stories from the programme's interventions in the cocoa and vanilla sectors, aimed at promoting replication, and driving scale-up across Papua New Guinea.

Value Chain Development
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Cocoa Value Chain

Under the EU-STREIT PNG, various interventions are being implemented to address identified bottlenecks in the further development of cocoa-based agribusinesses and value chain activities. 

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Vanilla Value Chain

Under this Programme, a broad range of support and technical assistance is being undertaken to ensure that vanilla value chain is further developed. 

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Fisheries Value Chain

As part of this component, the EU STREIT PNG Programme focuses on developing in-shore and riverine fisheries and aquaculture. 

Donor

The Programme is being implemented thanks to the generous financial support provided by the European Union Delegation to Papua New Guinea. 

The EU-STREIT PNG Programme is the largest grant-funded project of the European Union in the country and in the Pacific region that was developed under the umbrella of 11th European Development Fund (2014-2020). 

The flag of the European Union

Funded by

the European Union

 

UN Partners

Four UN agencies, under the leadership of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the leading agency/administrative agent, are partnering in the implementation of different components of the EU-STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea. 

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Papua New Guinea Partners

The Programme is being implemented in close consultation, collaboration, and cooperation with Papua New Guinea's national, provincial, and local governments and administration institutions, as well as research centres, civil society organizations and the private sector.

The main line departments, administrations and authorities for the Programme are:

National Emblem of Papua New Guinea
  • Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM)
  • Department of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL)
  • Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
  • Department of Works and Highways (DoW)
  • Department of Commerce and Industries (DCI)
  • National Energy Authority (NEA)
  • National ICT Authority of Papua New Guinea (NICTA)
  • National Fisheries Authority (NFA)
  • Cocoa Board of PNG (CB)
  • Spice Industry Board of PNG (SIB)
  • Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA)
  • PNG Power Limited (PPL)