Foundation for Rural Integrated Enterprises & Development

From Fiji’s communities to a regional culinary stage! 🌺🌊

We were delighted to showcase some of our FRIEND Fiji Style products at Ocean of Flavours in Auckland, celebrating the ingredients, food traditions and creativity of our Pacific region.

Behind our products are local crops, traditional knowledge and the work of our smallholder farmers, connecting the flavours of Fiji with livelihood opportunities for rural communities.
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Vinaka vakalevu to Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand and the event partners for this opportunity to share a taste of Fiji. 💚

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📢 WE’RE HIRING: Training & Livelihood Officer 🌿💼
​We are looking for a Training & Livelihood Officer based in Lautoka. If you are passionate about community development, climate resilience, and grassroots empowerment, we want to hear from you!
​📍 Location: Lautoka, Fiji
📄 To Apply: Send your Cover Letter, CV, and qualifications to [email protected] or hand-deliver them to our Head Office in Tuvu.
🗓️ Deadline: October 10, 2026
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Our team was out on the ground again this week, continuing monitoring visits across households in Nadi and Lautoka! It has been truly inspiring to see the incredible initiative taken by different families as they put what they’ve learned into action. 🌱🙌
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​Alongside monitoring, our team also assisted 25 more beneficiaries with essential farming tools and raised garden materials! These families had already attended training over the past few months, and it was wonderful to see how eager and dedicated they are to putting their learnings into practice. 🌾

​A massive thank you once again to the Australian High Commission, Fiji and all of our generous donors for your ongoing support! Without your partnership, empowering these households with the tools, training, and resources they need to achieve long-term food security would not be possible. 🇫🇯🇦🇺
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☀️ Powering livelihoods in Nasarwaqa!

Installation of a hybrid solar system and community freezer in Nasarwaqa is a big step in today's climate change crisis. At grassroots the solar powered community hall and Freezer helps the fishing families preserve their catch, reduce spoilage and sell when the opportunity is right. While at a higher level, we are actively contributing to reduction of carbon footprints.

More than access to energy, this is an investment in food security, community enterprise and stronger, more resilient livelihoods.

A big Vinaka to Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Australian NGO Corporation and Caritas Australia for this initiative in the North.

We call on development partners to become part of our climate adaptation and mitigation story.

Australian High Commission, FijiThe Fiji TimesFiji Sun

Our team was out on the ground again this week, continuing monitoring visits across households in Nadi and Lautoka! It has been truly inspiring to see the incredible initiative taken by different families as they put what they’ve learned into action. 🌱🙌

​During our previous visits, several households shared the challenges they faced—particularly limited space and difficulties accessing quality soil for their raised gardens. Listening to their feedback, our team stepped in this week to distribute bags of rich soil and hosepipes to help them overcome these hurdles and keep their gardens thriving! 💧🪴

​A massive thank you once again to the Australian High Commission, Fiji for their ongoing support! Without your partnership, empowering these households with the tools and resources they need to achieve long-term food security would not be possible. 🇫🇯🇦🇺
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WE'RE HIRING: INDIAN COOK 🧑‍🍳✨

​Tukuni Resturant is looking for an Indian Cook to join our team in Tuvu, Lautoka! If you love preparing authentic fijian & Indian dishes and celebrating local food heritage, we want to hear from you.
​How to Apply:
​📩 Email: Send your CV to [email protected]
​📍 In Person: Drop it off at the FRIEND Head Office, Tuvu, Kings Road, Lautoka
​⚠️ Deadline: Applications close this Saturday, September 26, 2026.
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Our team was back at Lovu Hart Hall in Lautoka today to take these vital flood-resilient farming sessions directly to the grassroots level! 🌿📍
​Our team conducted hands-on, practical training, welcoming a fantastic group of participants eager to safeguard their homes and secure their food sources.

​While the focus remained on preparing for heavy rains, we streamlined the practical training to get straight to the soil:
🌱 Climate-Smart Gardening: Setting up raised-bed systems alongside our signature 9x9 organic garden models to withstand wet conditions.
🌱 Soil & Seed Care: Mastering organic composting and seed-saving to keep future replanting completely self-sufficient.

​This essential initiative is proudly supported by the Australian High Commission, Fiji. By taking these practical skills directly into our communities, we are helping families secure their food supply and stand strong against future challenges. 💪🇫🇯
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Our team was back on the ground this week conducting monitoring visits across households in Nadi and Lautoka who previously received flood-resilient farming training and materials. Seeing how these families have put their learning into action by planting their gardens was nothing short of amazing!

​The impact speaks for itself:
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Most women shared that these gardens have significantly helped feed their families, ensuring they can grow their own food during the flooding season without relying on government food assistance.
​Leading with Resilience: Women in the communities have stepped up to take the lead—building raised gardens and making their own organic compost using the small spaces available.

​Maximizing Small Spaces: Many shared that they initially thought they couldn't grow anything with limited space, but they are now successfully harvesting using raised beds, containers, and sacks.
​A massive thank you to the Australian High Commission, Fiji for supporting this initiative! Your partnership continues to empower local communities to turn practical knowledge into long-term food security. 🇫🇯🇦🇺
​Also special thanks to our partner Building Innate Resilience Through Hearts - BIRTH Fiji for working alongside us to make this progress possible.
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