Youth Empowerment
Why?
Young people are at the heart of Fiji’s future. With over half of the nation’s population under the age of 35, Fiji’s youth carry enormous potential to drive social progress, economic growth and resilient communities. Yet in many rural and remote areas, young people face limited access to employment pathways, leadership opportunities, life-skills training and platforms to influence decisions that shape their villages. These challenges can lead to reduced confidence, restricted options and missed opportunities for communities to thrive.
The Fiji National Development Plan recognises youth empowerment as essential to national advancement, calling for investment in skills, leadership, innovation, wellbeing and participation. Think Pacific Foundation’s work directly supports these ambitions. Since 2009, we have partnered with the Ministry of Youth & Sports, provincial councils, schools and community groups to ensure young people in rural Fiji are equipped not only with practical skills, but also with the voice, resilience and agency to shape their own futures.
Our Work
Methodology
Youth As Solution
Young people are the primary target for our organisation. Across all focus areas, we focus on investing in young people as the solution to Fiji’s challenges.
However, some of our projects have a more direct focus on personal development, rather than just skill development. Our youth programmes focus on building confidence, communication, leadership identity and cross-cultural understanding, while promoting positive health behaviours, environmental stewardship and pathways to employment. By empowering young people with the tools, knowledge and support they need, we help strengthen entire communities, creating a generation of leaders who are capable, connected and confident in creating change for Fiji.
Our Primary Strategies
Workshops
Our workshops provide young people with the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to thrive. Delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Youth & Sports, community leaders and specialist organisations, these sessions cover leadership, communication, public speaking, mental health, enterprise, climate awareness, teamwork and cultural identity.
Designed to be interactive, practical and rooted in village life, workshops empower youth to better understand themselves, strengthen their wellbeing and take active roles in shaping their communities. They are often the first structured opportunities many rural young people have to develop essential life skills.
Early Years Education
Supporting early childhood education is a powerful way for young people to contribute to their community’s future. Through assisting in ECE centres and primary schools, youth build skills in literacy and numeracy support, child development, creative teaching methods and classroom leadership.
This strategy not only improves early learning outcomes for children but also helps young people discover their own potential as educators, caregivers and role models. It builds intergenerational connection and strengthens the foundations of education across rural Fiji.
Youth Leadership
Leadership development is at the core of Think Pacific’s approach to youth empowerment. Young people are encouraged to recognise their strengths, develop their voice, and take ownership of local challenges and solutions.
Through team activities, facilitation opportunities, mentoring and personal development pathways, youth gain experience in decision-making, organisation, advocacy and project leadership. This strategy aligns with national goals to increase civic participation and creates confident, capable young leaders who can guide their communities into a more resilient and inclusive future.
Scholarships & Placements
We support young people beyond the village setting by creating real pathways into further education, internships, training and employment. Through scholarships, internship placements and study tours, youth can develop specialised skills, explore career options and engage in new environments that broaden their horizons.
These opportunities connect young people to universities, employers and national networks, helping them transition into long-term roles that benefit both themselves and their communities. This strategy ensures that rural youth have access to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Our Impact
Since 2009
Community Infrastructure (Building Projects)
Since 2009, the Think Pacific Foundation has empowered young people across Fiji to build confidence, develop new skills and take on meaningful roles within their communities. Through leadership workshops, education support, vocational pathways and real-world placements, thousands of rural youth have gained opportunities that strengthen their wellbeing, expand their horizons and build their capacity to contribute to village life. Guided by national priorities and delivered in partnership with local leaders, our youth programmes create long-lasting change, developing a generation of young Fijians who are equipped, motivated and inspired to lead their communities forward.
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Leadership, public health, climate, enterprise, mental health & sport development sessions.
423+ workshops delivered across rural communities
~505 youth directly involved
19% average increase in communication skills among youth (2022/23)
9–18% increases in confidence across various years and workshop themes
14% increase in awareness and interest in other cultures (2022/23)
7% improvement in teamwork effectiveness (2023/24)
Over $141,600 invested directly into youth groups through workshop programmes
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Early Years Education & Primary School Support (2009–2019)
Daily structured ECE lessons delivered across dozens of rural kindergartens, including literacy, numeracy, hygiene, arts & crafts, and outdoor games
ECE outreach support for rural kindergartens through the Kindi Outreach Scheme (activities, resources, games)
Primary school support across multiple islands: reading classes, small-group teaching, maths & English assistance, IT lessons and ‘House Cup’ education activities
Sports Outreach & Physical Education
Daily PE lessons & coaching delivered across primary schools in project islands for over a decade (2009–2020)
Sports Outreach Projects annually since 2014, introducing structured PE and new sports to rural primary & secondary schools (rugby, netball, football, cricket, swimming, volleyball, etc.)
3 sports development programmes delivered in 2022/23, engaging youth across 14 sessions each
29% increase in interest to join local sports clubs (2022/23)
94.4% of young people said they’d be interested in creating their own sports club (2022/23)
13% increase in knowledge of how sport can reduce long-term illness (2022/23)
The long-term reach (2009–2025) represents thousands of children impacted across dozens of schools.
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Confidence, identity, public speaking, advocacy & community leadership pathways.
18% average increase in confidence (2023/24)
16% increase in self-identified communication skills (2023/24)
7% improvement in teamwork effectiveness (2023/24)
Leadership ranked as the most popular workshop theme in 2023/24
Youth demonstrating increased ability to lead warm-ups, team tasks, and advocacy activities (sport leadership metrics, 2022/23)
Leadership growth appears consistently across mental health, enterprise, environment and climate workshops — with youth increasingly recognising themselves as “leaders of tomorrow” (2022/23–2024 data)
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Internships, study tours, vocational opportunities, cultural exchange and employment-linked pathways.
Internships (in-country & remote)
50+ Pacific students given internships opportunities across dozens of partner organisations
Internship objectives achieved include:
new workplace skills
global cultural IQ
direct contributions to SDGs
action projects for Fijian organisations
mentoring & coaching from TP staff
Study Tours & Further Education Programmes
27 students joined Study Tours in 2023/24 alone
9 international universities & 3 FE colleges participated (2023/24), increasing networking opportunities
$1,129,287 invested into Fiji through Study Tours in a single year, supporting youth, communities and local industries
Combined Scholarships & Placements Impact
Hundreds of youth supported through remote and in-country internship programmes since 2020
Thousands of hours of real project work completed on behalf of Fijian organisations
Cultural exposure, employability and leadership development built into every programme
Other Focus Areas
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Rural Development
Empowering local communities by enhancing infrastructure, improving access to education and healthcare.
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Climate Resilience
One of the most pressing subjects in a country with high vulnerability to increasingly volatile weather systems.
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Health and Wellbeing
Strengthening community resilience and supporting the reduction of preventable diseases.
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Cultural Heritage
Language preservation, support for local arts, crafts, and cultural events, youth cultural education programs
