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Past Guidelines

Second Period Guidelines (1999-2008)

The Sasakawa Pacific Island Nations Fund (SPINF) carries out a program of activities aimed at building upon achievements already accrued over recent years in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Japan and other island nations of the Pacific. Two objectives underscore the implementation of this program: 1) The promoting of interpersonal exchange activities between the peoples of Japan and of the Pacific island nations; and 2) the building of linkages between government bodies, NGOs and other organizations interested in strengthening harmony within the region and in enhancing the quality of people's lives in its island societies.

SPINF accepts proposals and supports projects in areas of people exchange and human resource development that adhere to the fund's two objectives and that fall within the scope of the four priority areas outlined below.

1.Exchange projects that respect the values and cultural identity of each island society

In promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between Japan and the Pacific island nations, projects will be supported that respect the unique values and cultural identity of the respective island societies. Particular priority will be given to projects that focus on exchanges between the Pacific island nations and Okinawa, which shares many elements of atoll and island culture with other Pacific Ocean communities.

2.Micronesia-focused projects aimed at promoting regional harmony

Placing a high value on promoting harmony among the Pacific island nations, SPINF supports projects that involve cooperation among two or more countries of the region, rather than on ones that concentrate on just one country. Priority is given to projects that support development of the countries of Micronesia which have gained their independence in relatively more recent years and are carried out in a context of harmony with Melanesia and Polynesia. It is considered desirable that projects focused on Micronesia be conducted collaboratively with other countries, particularly government agencies, NGOs and/or NPOs of the US, which has close ties with the sub-region both currently as a benefactor and formerly as a trustee.

3.Projects that support education and training through the medium of distance education

SPINF supports education and training activities that are sharply focused yet are of an innovative and flexible nature. In this context, SPINF will continue in this second program period to carry out its distance education support program, launched in 1997.
See "Guidelines for Supporting the Advancement of Distance Education in the Pacific Island Nation Region"

4.Projects to promote networking among NGOs and NPOs operating in the region and to form linkages among Pacific island nations and Asian countries

The Pacific island nations, small both in the scale of their landmasses and populations, are scattered across a vast expanse of ocean. It is therefore deemed that greater effectiveness in aiding them can be achieved through projects that are conducted collaboratively among agencies and organizations involved in the region. From this perspective, SPINF considers desirable the forming of networks among region-interested and/or involved organizations both in Japan and other countries. In addition to strengthening ties between the region's island states and the world's advanced nations, SPINF furthermore places priority on projects that promote collaboration among the Pacific island nations and the counties of Asia, which have hed relatively weak ties despite their strong geographical and cultural kinship.

First Period Guidelines (1991-1998)

In planning and implementing SPINF's exchange and assistance programs, we work, from our unique position as a private, nonprofit foundation, to build on the understanding and cooperation already accrued between Japan and the Pacific island nations, while incorporating lessons learned by observing the successful cooperation achieved between these countries and Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and various European nations. We are committed to carrying out SPINF programs in a manner that recognizes the mutuality of regional issues, yet in pursuing development, respects the traditional social systems of each island country and the cultural diversity of the region.

Thus conceptualized, SPINF programs have two objectives:

1. to promote mutual understanding between the Pacific Island Nations and Japan, and
2. to support activities initiated by the Pacific Island Nations that promise to enhance intra-regional and international cooperation and understanding.

Accordingly, priority is given to funding projects in the following three areas.

1. Exchange or cooperative projects aimed at promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of Pacific Island Nations and Japan, particularly those with concrete objectives and which seek to build lasting partnerships. Examples include children or young farmer exchanges and join volunteer-implemented activities.
2. Human resource development and education projects conducted in cooperation with Japan or other countries, especially those designed to strengthen the native peoples' capacity to widen and deepen their countries' international relationships both within and beyond the region. Some examples would be support for basic education, technical instruction and teacher training.
3. Projects that support the building and utilization of information / communication networks beneficial to the Pacific islands region. Examples of such networks would include satellite communication networks that can help make the region's countries less remote through greater access to the outside world, or scientific research networks.