The European Union and UNICEF announced a €17 million partnership to help Pacific governments build schools better prepared for climate-related disasters, according to a UNICEF press release dated 2 September 2026. The Pacific Climate Resilient Education Systems (Pacific CRES) programme was signed and launched at a side event of the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau. The agreement was signed by Marjeta Jager, Deputy Director-General for the Directorate-General for International Partnerships, and UNICEF Pacific Deputy Representative Roshni Basu.

The programme is intended to upgrade existing school infrastructure, strengthen maintenance systems and introduce measures to help schools stay operational during and after disasters, including climate-resilient water and sanitation facilities, renewable energy systems and improved connectivity. It will also support governments in planning and budgeting for long-term maintenance. Over the next five years, it is expected to directly benefit around 15,000 children in Fiji, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati and Solomon Islands, support approximately 2,000 teachers and school administrators with disaster-preparedness training, and engage around 25,000 community members in disaster risk reduction and school maintenance.

Implementation is planned through Ministries of Education with UNICEF, national disaster management offices, climate change authorities and regional organisations. The programme builds on the EU-UNICEF Climate Resilient Sheltering Schools programme in Vanuatu.