Round 2 of the 2026 Solomon Islands–Australia Community Partnerships Is Now Open

Australia opens Round 2 of the 2026 Community Partnerships Program across Solomon Islands

Students from the Na’au Community High School in East Kwaio celebrating their new solar power system which is providing clean and reliable electricity to classrooms and staff offices, and reliable access to the internet and network services.

Five new handwashing stations across five schools in Northern Vella La Vella, Western Province will improve sanitation and reduce the spread of illness and communicable diseases for hundreds of students – leading to better education attendance and outcomes.

The installation of 139 new water tanks in the communities of Fauabu and Buma, West Kwara'ae, Malaita Province, is providing safe and reliable water to more than 2,000 people.

Following close on the heels of the visit by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, I am very pleased to announce that the Solomon Islands-Australia Community Partnerships program is open for a second round of applications for 2026 (until 11:59pm on Monday 24 August 2026).

*The new footbridge in Nukiki Village, Northwest Choiseul, now connects both sides of the village, making it easier and safer for families, students and elders to move around.*

Since my arrival in Solomon Islands in January, I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have told me how the Community Partnerships program has changed lives in their communities.

The new seawall in Horara, Isabel Province is protecting the community from costal erosion and rising sea levels, allowing the village to replant gardens, secure properties, and return to the homes they have lived in for generations.

This landmark program is unprecedented here in Solomon Islands – in reach, impact and community support. Since 2019, Australia has funded a total of 342 Community Partnerships projects, spanning every constituency and every province of Solomon Islands, and making a tangible difference to the lives of thousands of Solomon Islanders. These 342 projects represent more than SBD 74.5 million in direct funding to local Solomon Islands’ hardware and transport businesses.

For example, over 2000 people in Fauabu and Buma communities in Malaita Province now have reliable access to clean drinking water following the installation of 139 water tanks. In Western Province, five new handwashing stations across five schools in Northern Vella La Vella are improving sanitation and reducing the spread of illness and communicable diseases for hundreds of students. And in Isabel Province, the Tatamba Area Health Centre has a new solar powered system that is providing public security street lighting for women and children at the labour ward and staff house, as well as clean and reliable power for the freezer storing life-saving vaccines.

The new solar power system at Tatamba Area Health Cente, Isabel Province will enhance the centre’s resilience during emergencies or extreme weather and the community in Tatamba will no longer have to worry about power interruption affecting healthcare delivery and the refrigeration of vaccines.

In the first round of 2026, Australia received a record breaking 278 applications, with 51 projects successful. This represents more than SBD 11.5 million in direct funding to local hardware and transportation service suppliers who help deliver these projects.

*The State Ridge community in East Honiara now have 30 solar powered streetlights thanks to funding from the Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships – making it safer for everyone.*

The growing number of applications we receive every round shows that this program is responding well to the development priorities of Solomon Islands communities.Everything about this program is locally driven – local leaders set the priorities, local teams build the infrastructure and local companies deliver the building materials.

Australia is also proud to work in close partnership with Members of Parliament and Provincial Assemblies and Government to deliver key projects in their constituencies, because we are committed to aligning with government plans and priorities for development in this country.

Australia continues to support large-scale infrastructure projects like the Tina River Hydropower Project and the recently handed over Naha Urban Birthing Centre — both of which will deliver transformative benefits for Solomon Islands.

*The brand-new women’s resource centre in Tulagi, Central Province project provides a dedicated space for the over 2,000 in Tulagi to gather and learn in a more conducive and secure setting.*

But we also recognise the equally powerful impact of small-scale, community-level projects, especially in rural areas. These initiatives are changing lives in ways that are deeply personal and lasting.

*Nuoba Clinic in the Reef Islands, Temotu Pele, now has access to solar power. Nurse Ruth Gatu has a fully charged phone to use when she needs medical advice from Lata Hospital.*

The current round is now open, and the Australian High Commission is accepting applications until Monday 24 August 2026. For more information, please go to https://solomonislands.embassy.gov.au/honi/communitypartnerships.html or email SolomonIslandsGrants@dfat.gov.au.

I am looking forward to reading all your applications and visiting new and existing projects in 2026 to see first hand the impact of the Solomon Islands – Australia Community Partnerships.

Lukim yu neks taem!