Expect cleaner markets at Fugalei, Salelologa, and Savalalo with a special handover of equipment that will support daily market operations by improving hygiene and sanitation.

In a significant step toward strengthening the operations and sustainability of Samoa’s market infrastructure, UN Women through the Markets for Change (M4C) Project essential assets including wheelie bins, water blasters, and fire extinguishers have been officially handed over to the three main markets in Samoa.

This handover marks a milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance the cleanliness, safety, and efficiency of market environments, directly benefiting the hundreds of vendors—many of whom are women—who rely on these markets for their livelihoods.

The provision of these assets will support daily market operations by improving hygiene and sanitation through the use of water blasters and wheelie bins, ensuring a cleaner and more welcoming environment for both vendors and customers.

It enhances safety with the availability of fire extinguishers, providing critical first-response tools in case of emergencies at the market spaces and boosts vendor productivity by creating a more organised and secure space to conduct business.

In her keynote address, the Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Samoa, Claire McGeechan, said Samoa’s marketplaces weren’t just spaces for commerce and trade.  

“They are spaces that bring community together.  They reflect the pride and spirit of Samoan culture and connection.  When we invest in these marketplaces, we are also investing in the fabric of Samoa’s societies,” she said.  

“This reaffirms Australia’s commitment to supporting Samoa’s efforts to economically empower women, from the village setting, to city markets, through the Markets for Change initiative.”

The Markets for Change project remains committed to working closely with local government, Market Vendors Association (MVAs), and vendors to ensure that markets are not only places of commerce but also safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for all. The M4C project is dedicated to economically empowering women market vendors by improving market governance, infrastructure, and services.

“We are deeply grateful for these much-needed resources,” said Utufaasili Titarama Pogi, Fugalei market manager, on behalf of the market management.

“They will make a real difference in our daily operations—keeping our markets clean, safe, and efficient—and most importantly, they will help our vendors, especially women, to thrive in a better working environment.”

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Paolo Della Stella, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative from UNDP, emphasised the importance of these tools in supporting women’s economic participation.

“These assets are more than just equipment—they are enablers of dignity, safety, and opportunity for the women and men who work tirelessly in our markets every day.”

The M4C project promotes gender equality through the economic empowerment of women market vendors in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It brings together governments, market vendors and market vendor associations, civil society organisations and UN agencies. M4C Phase II is implemented by UN Women in partnership with UNDP Samoa and the Government of Australia, together with the Government of Samoa.