Partners with Melanesians Inc. (PWM) is a national not-for profit NGO involved in conservation education and awareness and sustainable livelihood alternative development programmes in local remote communities of Papua New Guinea. From its inception in 1984,

as an idea of a literacy project by the academics and students from the University of Papua New Guinea to assist in education initiatives in the Managalas Plateau of Oro Province, it has grown to be the fully fledged conservation-oriented organization it is today, working in community mobilization and sustainable community development activities in some of the most remote communities in Papua New Guinea.

PWM has seven core programs and four project sites. PWM has 17 staff of whom 11 are engaged in program and project activities and 5 in the administration and is headed by and Executive Director with a Board of Directors for and governance and policy direction of the organization. Board members are made up of representatives from the Government, Churches, both national and international NGO’s, the National Council of Women and from the project sites. The board members have a term of 2 years each and are eligible for re-election by their constituents.

PWM recognizes the country’s fourth (4) goal and has concentrated its efforts in conservation and biodiversity protection, and by aligning its work with CEPA’s PNG Protected Areas Policy and has been working toward declaration of protected areas in local communities in the country.

After doing conservation work for over three decades, the organization has realized its full potential and redirected its efforts, focusing on three key areas including (1) conservation of biodiversity leading to declaration of protected areas; (2) building the capacity of local communities (to take the lead in conservation efforts) and supporting skills development for the PWM staff who are coordinating working with local communities; and (3) promoting sustainable livelihoods options for local communities and raising funds to support PWM in furthering its mission. These three strategic pillars are supported by enabling programs; (1) promoting gender empowerment; (2) education & awareness; and (3) monitoring, evaluation and learning. Key to the organization’s functions is having a robust finance and operations program that will ensure the organization is functioning well.

PWM Project Areas in PNG