Tidy Villages Fiji
sponsored by FijiBure.Com (Fijian Village Homestays)

Tidy Villages is a community and environmental program established by FijiBure.Com to help villages in Fiji to set goals in beautifying their villages. The projects aims to not only improve the environment, but to improve the standard of living and quality of life for communities across Fiji. This programme is much more than simply having a tidy village - it is about protecting your drinking water, minimising the risk of disease and learning about the importance of maintaining your fragile environment. It will also assist communities in attracting tourists to particpate in village homestays - with obvious financial benefits to the community.

Tidy Villages is also about community involvement and community pride. No other program in Fiji has the potential to gather together such diverse elements in the community, from schools, farmers and business as well as active support from the Government. It embraces small children through to the elderly.

What are the major objectives of the Tidy Villages project?

Benefits to be gained from becoming involved in the Tidy Villages Program

• Tourism generation
• Increased community pride and morale
• Social co-operation
• Increased interaction between various community groups
• Better waste minimisation and management
• Improved facilities, features and town presentation
• Public awareness and educational benefits
• A detailed report with valuable feedback to assist you in setting future standards for litter prevention etc..

Who can enter the competition?

Entries are invited from individuals or village committees. Often a committee structure is useful to gather resources and plan for projects, however, if you don't want a committee or if you have trouble getting a committee together, it is not considered a requirement for entry.

How can our village enter?

There are two competitions to consider entering:

• Fiji's Tidiest Village (1st place F$500; 2nd place F$250 and 3rd place F$100)
• Fiji's most improved village(1st place F$500; 2nd place F$250 and 3rd place F$100)

The winning village in each category also wins a sign noting its achievement that can be placed in a prominent position.

The attached entry form sets out the two different competitions.

What does our village have to do to enter this competition?

The community as a whole must work together in preparing the village for regular inspections by judges appointed by the Fijian Government. These judges will have a list of points to consider when judging your village. It is important to note that the standard of housing is not a major issue as we understand that some villagers do not have money to maintain perfect homes. The judges will be judging the standard of your surrounding gardens, paths, village roads, community halls, lawns, beaches, surrounding farmlands, public toilets and showers and other areas generally open to the public.

The judges will also monitor the following aspects of your campaign to clean up the village:

• Level of community awareness in the campaign
• Level of community participation
• Initiatives that help protect your local environment
• General appearance and how your town is presented
• Management of volunteer community activities within your town

If you wish for your town to be eligible for one of the Awards, you MUST NOMINATE to be judged by completing the entry form at this link.

Conditions of Entry

1. Participating Villages must be endorsed by their local government authority to be eligible for entry into the program.
2. All Tidy Villages entry forms must arrive at the Tidy Village office by close of business 1 June, 2004. Late applications will not be accepted.
3. All submissions must arrive at the Tidy Village office by close of business 1 July, 2004. Late submissions will not be accepted.
4. The judging panels decision is final.
5. Judging will take place between 1 July, 2004 through to 30 Nov 2004.
6. Only one competition may be entered into by a village.
7. Before and after images of villages may be used for promotional and/or publicity purposes by Tidy Village and its sponsors.

What do I have to do to enter?

Fill in the entry form and, nominate which competition your village wants to enter.

Mail your entry to Tidy Villages and you will receive a kit on how to participate.

This folder will form the basis of your entry and will ensure that your Tidy Villages Judges are well briefed on your village before they arrive.

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