Macuata-i-wai Village in Fiji's Northern Division has received an engine boat under a climate finance grant aimed at strengthening transport access and local resilience.

The boat, which was recently handed over by Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Mosese Bulitavu, during a recent visit, is expected to improve travel between the island and Vanua Levu.

It will help residents take vegetables to market and will also be used to transport drinking water to the village, which has no running water.

The handover forms part of Macuata-i-wai securing climate finance through the Communities Climate Adaptation Facility. The village received a $100,000 USD grant provided directly to the community without intermediaries.

Mr Bulitavu said the approach showed how climate finance could deliver practical outcomes at the community level.

"This is how climate finance should work—reaching communities directly and supporting those already facing the impacts of climate change," he said.

Village headwoman Laisana Daleiniqalau Tokaduadua described the handover as historic for Macuata-i-wai.

She said it was the first time a government minister had personally handed over an engine boat to the community.

Ms Tokaduadua said many villages across Fiji applied for the grant and only three were approved, including Macuata-i-wai.

The signed agreement and delivery of the boat marked the completion of the first phase of the project.

Ms Tokaduadua thanked Mr Bulitavu and said the boat would support the community's future.

"We are truly grateful, and this boat gives us hope for a stronger, more resilient future," she said.

Macuata-i-wai was once home to 20 households, however just two households remain after saltwater intrusion and coastal erosion forced families to relocate.

The grant will support restoration of freshwater systems, while supporting climate resilient housing and livelihoods to help the community rebuild and adapt.

Mr Bulitavu said later phases would focus on further recovery and adaptation work.

"Future phases of the grant will focus on restoring freshwater systems, strengthening housing, and rebuilding livelihoods to help Macuata-i-Wai adapt to the growing challenges of climate change," he said.

Two other communities, Narata Village in Nadroga and Vuniudrovu Village in Naitasiri, have also been selected for similar grants, with final signing arrangements under way.

The communities are expected to access climate finance directly to implement their own adaptation priorities.

The three grants mark a shift toward direct funding for communities living with day-to-day climate impacts.