The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific is now inviting governments, local authorities (city councils, provinces, districts and villages), communities, organizations (including schools, workplaces, faith-based groups) and civil society groups in the 22 Pacific island countries and areas to submit applications for Healthy Islands Recognition 2023 under the ‘best practice’ and ‘best proposal’ categories.
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the great work being carried out by health and community leaders to achieve the Healthy Islands vision, that is to make Pacific islands places where:
Children are nurtured in body and mind;
Environments invite learning and leisure;
People work and age with dignity;
Ecological balance is a source of pride, and;
The ocean which sustains us is protected.
WHO has worked with Member States and partner organizations to revitalize the “Healthy Islands” concept and has extended support for project and programme planning, implementation and evaluation for the improvement of health and the quality of life of Pacific islanders. As a result, a diversity of Healthy Island initiatives has been developed to date, and some sterling and pioneering work in Healthy Islands needs recognition.
To encourage communities and countries to continue to innovate and demonstrate effective and efficient ways of promoting and protecting the health of their populations, WHO recognizes outstanding work in defined areas. There are many creative developments and good practices for Healthy Islands across the Western Pacific Region. WHO particularly recognizes community-based actions and efforts, partnership efforts, and governmental support for Healthy Islands initiatives by respective programmes and people from diverse socio-cultural environments and development backgrounds.
Applications for WHO Healthy Islands Recognition 2023 will be accepted and assessed under two categories:
(1) Best practice
(2) Best proposal
Recognition categories
Best practice recognition will be given to two current or completed projects or programmes that embrace and describe efforts in one, two, or all of the following categories:
(1) Health-in-all policies
(2) Community-based effort
(3) Partnerships (civil society, public sector, industry, etc.)
One of the best practice awards will be reserved for work that has been adjusted, adapted or developed to respond to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
Recipients will receive:
- A WHO Healthy Islands Recognition plaque and certificate
- US$ 10 000 to strengthen/enhance activities, broaden scope or further develop the project or programme according to the proposal
Best proposal recognition will be given to two innovative new projects or programmes in the following categories:
(1) Community-based effort
(2) Partnerships (civil society, public sector, industry, etc.)
Recipients will receive:
- A WHO Healthy Islands Recognition Certificate
- Up to US$10 000 for implementation of the proposed new project or programme.
Eligible applicants
Governments, local authorities (city councils, provinces, districts and villages), communities, organizations (including schools, workplaces, faith-based groups) and civil society groups in the 22 Pacific island countries and areas are eligible to submit applications (see list below). Projects or programmes that are already recipients of other forms of WHO recognition are also eligible. However, priority in selection will be given to those that have not received any WHO recognition in the past two years.
Eligible countries and areas: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
Materials to be submitted
The submission form (see links below) should be used to describe and contextualize the application. A detailed description of the report, programme or policy action (no less than 1000, no more than 3000 words) should be attached. The format for these detailed descriptions is contained in the submission form; applicants should adhere to this format. Full proposals and reports associated with the submission, as well as any other supporting documents, should be attached to the submissions.
Best practice submission form
Best proposal submission form
Selection process
All proposals will be evaluated using a scoring system and the shortlisted proposals will be reviewed by a committee for final selection. The decision of the WHO Regional Director will be final and not subject to appeal.
Deadline for submission
31st of July 2023 (Late submissions will not be considered)Contact information
Applications and queries should be sent to the following address by email (printed copies may be sent, however only those received by the deadline will be considered).
Applications to be sent to the following emails:
E-mail:(wpfjiwr@who.int)
Dr Tomo Kanda (kandat@who.int)
Saula Volavola (volavolar@who.int)
Postal address
World Health Organization - South Pacific Office
33 Ellery Street, PO Box 113, Suva, Fiji
Telephone: 679-323-4100
Facsimile: 679-323-4166