GUADALCANAL Province has taken a major step toward stronger, more efficient social services with a three-day workshop that brought together leaders from 22 wards to strengthen planning, coordination, and community-driven development.

The provincial government, with support from UNICEF through the EU-funded Provincial Governance and Service Delivery Strengthening Programme, delivered a three-day integrated capacity-building workshop on improving social service delivery in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), health, and education sectors, a statement said.

Held from December 1 – 3, 2025 at Ginger Beach in west Northwest Guadalcanal, the workshop was attended by a total of 36 policy makers and stakeholders from provincial government, Chairpersons from Ward Development Committees (WDCs), and Ward Support Officers (WSOs) representing 22 wards in Guadalcanal Province.

The training aimed at improving the provincial policy makers and ward leaders’ capacity in planning, budgeting, designing and efficiently implementation of social sector programme and projects at community level.

Director of Provincial Health Guadalcanal Province, Dr. Rayboy Seleso highlighted the importance of community-based health committees and encouraged closer collaboration to bridge ongoing funding challenges impacting sector infrastructure.

In addition to the social sectors, the workshop also provided platform for officials from provincial government divisions responsible for women, youth, children, and agriculture to provide updates on current priorities and identified potential areas for stronger people-community-government collaboration.

The participants benefitted from increased understanding of sector mandates and planning processes; stronger call and recognition of the role of ward structures in improving social services; and shared commitment to strengthen coordination and communication between wards and the provincial government. Improved skills and effective coordination are expected to benefit about 154, 000 people including 60,000 children and over 10,000 people with disabilities.

During the closing of the workshop, Mrs. Lavinia Tafea Ward Support Officer for Moli ward 10, acknowledged the valuable support of UNICEF, the EU, and partners, and encouraged continued partnership to ensure improved services reach every family in Guadalcanal Province.