The main objective of this proposal is to strengthen the coordination of the Natural Resources Division and the Water Resources Committees and knowledge of stakeholders to increase the resilience of the water sector by providing quality data collection methods and a more strategic framework to inform better decision-making and access to climate change finance towards a climate-resilient water resources sector in Tonga. The grant will support the following key outputs: 

• Strengthened coordination mechanisms in place with effective ToR. 
• Competent NRD staff in place for data collection. 
• Water resources are regularly monitored with effective reporting conducted. 
• National Water Resources Policy in place and effective. 
• Village IWRM Plans established in alignment with the National Water Resources Policy Objectives. 
• At least 2 Concept Notes submitted to GCF at the end of the project. 
• Operational Hydrology Database in place. 
• Regular community awareness programs, incl. via Radio/TV. 

The direct beneficiaries of this Readiness Programme will include but not be limited to the Natural Resources Division under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources as the executing entity, the Department of Climate Change under MEIDECC as the NDA, the Ministry of Finance as the Delivery Partner, the National Water Committees for Tongatapu and the outer islands, the select communities for developing Integrated Water Resources Management Plans, and women and youth in vulnerable communities.