Across communities in Papua New Guinea, locally led ideas are transforming into real change, thanks to the Santos Foundation Small Grants Program and efforts of local Santos staff.
The Small Grants Program, delivered twice a year, supports community initiatives through a structured funding process with applications for this year’s first round currently under consideration.
In 2025, the Santos Foundation, along with community contributions, delivered 68 grants across 15 provinces for needs-based projects identified by the community, including solar lighting and nutrition gardens.
Santos staff and contractors work closely with community leaders to bring local initiatives to life, helping to strengthen wellbeing, improve safety, and create lasting benefits for families and communities.
The grants program demonstrates how simple, community‑driven solutions can make a meaningful difference, especially for women and girls who often face the greatest barriers to opportunity.
For Santos PNG Rebuild Mechanic Benjamin Haralu, who has partnered with his community on three water and sanitation projects, the program has strengthened access, safety and local leadership.
“What once required long and unsafe journeys for water is now a clean, reliable supply easily accessible for all,” he shared.
In Markham, Morobe Province, Santos PNG Finance Advisor Jetta Caleb’s “Chickens for Learning” project provides day‑old chicks so families can raise and sell chickens to pay school fees and fund new equipment.
The initiative has eased school fee pressures for 80 children and supplied 60 new school chairs to improve learning conditions and reduce financial strain on families.
In remote Kuluwo village in Manus Province, Santos PNG Bank Accountant Robyne Joshua supported the installation of solar streetlights.
As community member Ruly explained, “With the improved lighting, we now have a safer community, better conditions for students, and greater freedom for women and girls to move around after dark.”
Through the dedication of Santos staff and strong community leadership, the Santos Foundation Small Grants Program continues to empower communities and deliver on the Foundation’s mission to support locally led, thriving communities across PNG.
Since its launch in 2016, the Small Grants Program has supported more than 390 community‑led projects across PNG, benefiting over 28,000 people and demonstrating a continued focus on sustainable development shaped and led by local communities.
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