The future of Samoa’s District Development Grants remains uncertain as the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development awaits further direction from central government agencies.

In a written response to Samoa Observer's queries, Chief Executive Officer Loau Donina Tili Va’a confirmed that, “Parliament has not yet been formally dissolved, and we remain in active conversation with relevant ministries to carefully consider the way forward for all ongoing projects, including the District Development Grants.”

The flagship grant program, launched by the current administration, allocates SAT$1 million to each of Samoa’s 51 constituencies to support grassroots development initiatives. However, the distribution of the remaining funds, including a third tranche, has yet to be confirmed.

“The release of any remaining grant tranches, including the third, will depend on guidance from the appropriate central agencies and national processes,” said Loau.

She also noted that the Ministry remains in communication with local leaders to ensure oversight: “The Ministry will continue to maintain communication with District Councils to support accountability and ensure the responsible use of any funds already provided.”

When asked about how much funding has reached each constituency so far, Loau stated that “this information is currently being reviewed, and we’ll be happy to share a summary once it has been finalised and verified.”

As for the fate of the District Council Offices, she emphasized that no decisions have been finalized. “The Ministry remains committed to working closely with all stakeholders to manage any next steps with care and transparency.”

The District Development Grant initiative has drawn both praise for empowering local communities and criticism over delayed reporting and inconsistent implementation across constituencies.