FELA is pleased to have worked alongside the Pacific Blue Foundation supporting the people of Yanuca (Serua Province), in establishing the Yavusa Nukutabua Development Trust, which has now been formally registered. The Trust provides a legal and governance structure through which the community can collectively manage funding, guide development initiatives and protect its long-term interests.
FELA’s contribution included consultations and facilitating discussions with the community, providing legal and governance guidance, and working alongside Siwatibau and Sloan to develop a Trust Deed that reflects the community’s priorities and decision-making arrangements. The process required careful consultation to ensure that community members understood the purpose and provisions of the Trust and had an opportunity to shape its governance.
The registration of the Trust Deed represents an important milestone for Yanuca. It provides the community with a legally recognised vehicle through which it can receive and manage funds, enter into partnerships and pursue conservation and sustainable-development opportunities. FELA will continue supporting the trustees and community representatives as they strengthen their governance systems and begin implementing the Trust’s objectives.
