Community Partners

“Friends of Tonga listens to what communities need and works with local organizations to help make those ideas happen. They bring resources and connections to the table, while making sure local partners lead the work.”

— Drew Havea, Chair, Civil Society Forum of Tonga

What Partnership Looks Like

• Listen: We begin with the priorities identified by communities and local organizations.

• Build Together: Local partners help shape the project, its goals, and how it will be carried out.

• Connect Resources: Friends of Tonga helps bring together donors, volunteers, technical expertise, and other resources.

• Implement Locally: Projects are carried out with local leadership, knowledge, and expertise.
• Learn and Sustain: We work with partners to evaluate what worked, address challenges, and support solutions that can continue beyond our involvement.

Our Partners

Friends of Tonga is grateful to work alongside organizations and community leaders throughout Tonga. These relationships help ensure that projects reflect priorities identified locally and are shaped by the people they are intended to serve.

Community & Civil Society Partners

Civil Society Forum of Tonga

• A national network supporting civil society organizations throughout Tonga. Friends of Tonga works alongside CSFT on community-led development, disaster response, environmental initiatives, and connecting local priorities with resources.

Tonga National Youth Congress

• A national youth organization that strengthens youth leadership and participation in community initiatives. Friends of Tonga works alongside TNYC to support locally identified priorities and community engagement.

Tonga Citizen Science Initiative

• A community-based initiative advancing environmental stewardship and citizen science in Tonga. Friends of Tonga collaborates with TCSI on environmental education, community engagement, and locally led environmental initiatives.

Mordi Tonga Trust

• A Tongan organization supporting community development and locally driven initiatives. Friends of Tonga works alongside Mordi Tonga Trust to support priorities identified by communities and strengthen local capacity.

Education Partners

Tonga Ministry of Education and Training

• Tonga’s national education authority and an important institutional partner in Friends of Tonga’s education work. The Ministry helps connect projects with national and local education priorities.

Schools for the Children of the World

• An international organization focused on improving educational opportunities and school environments. Friends of Tonga works with Schools for the Children of the World to support locally identified education and school infrastructure priorities in Tonga.

Local Schools & Parent-Teacher Associations

• Schools and PTAs help identify needs, shape projects, and provide local leadership throughout implementation.

Peace Corps & Returned Volunteer Partners

Peace Corps Tonga

• Peace Corps Volunteers serve alongside communities throughout Tonga. Friends of Tonga works with current Volunteers to support locally identified projects and connect community priorities with resources, expertise, and the broader Friends of Tonga network.

National Peace Corps Association

• A national network connecting Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and organizations that support the Peace Corps community. Friends of Tonga works with NPCA and the broader Returned Peace Corps Volunteer community to strengthen connections, share resources, and support continued engagement with Tonga.

Environmental Partners

No Pelesitiki Campaign

• A community-driven effort focused on reducing single-use plastics and strengthening environmental awareness and action in Tonga. Friends of Tonga has supported the campaign’s locally led work through resources, partnerships, and project support.