A six weeks long online Dedicated Mentoring Program (DMP) which started in April ended today, which saw nineteen officials from government and non-government organizations (NGOs) receive certificates today for active participation. The DMP aimed was to train government officials across different sectors on the development of project concept notes and funding proposals to access international climate finance through the Green Climate Fund Mechanism to fund Papua New Guinea’s climate actions. The participants also participated in a five weeklong Green Growth Fellowship Program (GGFP) from within the same period of time from April up to the end of June. The GGFP was aimed at providing support to Climate Change and Development Authority (CCDA) and relevant national and provincial government staff in providing green growth policy advisory support, including low-carbon growth and sustainable development advice. CCDA Acting Managing Director William Lakain congratulated the participants and described both programs as critical for broadening their knowledge and skills in developing climate finance projects, and green growth policy interventions towards a low carbon growth in Papua New Guinea. “These two programs are very important and should be supported into the future.” “These programs will greatly improve the knowledge and skills of government officials on key areas such as developing project concept notes and providing policy advisory support on low carbon growth and sustainable development.” Mr Lakain further acknowledged the support of GGGI and thanked the Australian High Commission for accommodating the program through funding support under the PNGAus Climate Change Partnership. He also acknowledged the University of Papua New Guinea, University of Technology and the University of Natural Resources and Environment (UNRE)for running these important programs. “The participants were also the first to receive their certificates under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Climate Change and Development Authority.” DFAT Australia was represented at the ceremony by Mr Nic Jonsson, the Counsellor Economics at the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby. “Australia was very proud to fund the DMP and GGFP knowing the value add it will make to build the capacity of the Government of PNG and NGOs to access international climate finance and render quality climate change policy advice.” He thanked GGGI for its role as the delivery partner in collaboration with UPNG. Meanwhile the participants expressed gratitude for receiving these two trainings. Ms. Priscilla Pep, one of the participants expressed that these two programs are very important because currently, workplaces are becoming more competitive as new ideas or skills are being introduced. “These programs have helped us upscale our knowledge in building and managing projects at different scales whether it is in the private or public sectors.”