Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - 2 December 2025

Grass Skirt Project (GSP) is proud to announce that we have officially received funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement the project:
“Enhancing Gender Equality Outcomes in Pacific Developing Member Countries – Implementation of Innovative Approaches to Accelerate Gender Equality in the Pacific (TA-10262)

GSP received the Notice to Proceed from ADB on 2 December 2025, marking the official start of this two-year initiative running through to 2 December 2027.

This funding support will enable GSP to expand our innovative, community-led programs that use sport, leadership development, and health engagement to address gender-based violence, empower young people, and strengthen community resilience.

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“This partnership with ADB marks a significant milestone for our work. It enables us to reach more young people, strengthen community capacities, and scale an approach that is uniquely effective for Papua New Guinea’s context.”
— Tahina Booth, Managing Director, Grass Skirt Project

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A Transformative Initiative for Youth and Communities

Under this program, GSP will:

• Deliver the 10 Million Strong Leadership Program, strengthening youth leadership, conflict resolution skills, and gender equality awareness.
• Establish and operationalise Gymbox SKool health and wellness hubs that integrate exercise, mentorship, and accessible health services.
• Work closely with communities, schools, churches, and local leaders to promote safe, inclusive spaces and shift harmful gender norms.
• Build a strong monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework to guide evidence-based scale-up.

The project will be implemented by Grass Skirt Project with oversight from ADB’s Gender Equality Division.

Advancing Gender Equality Through Innovative Approaches

This ADB-funded project provides critical support for GSP’s mission to create safer, healthier, and more empowered communities across Papua New Guinea. By combining sport, health education, and culturally grounded leadership training, this initiative aims to reduce gender-based violence, increase youth engagement, and foster long-term community transformation.

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