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The Situation
As of August 2024, the population of the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific is 40.
This makes it the smallest population of any British Overseas Territory.
The island is small and remote, measuring only 2 miles long and 1 mile wide, without an airstrip. Travel is limited to a supply ship and the fare is extremely expensive which restricts regular travel. The children go to high school and beyond in New Zealand and most do not come back, hence the population has declined and is aging.
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The island needs younger workers for sustainability, but there are currently no job advertisements to attract immigrants. Project Pitcairn wants to run programmes and projects to stimulate economic growth and provide jobs to attract young people to the island to make it sustainable again.
How are we solving it?
Project Pitcairn SCOI aims to meaningfully and sustainably improve
the economic and social future of Pitcairn for its inhabitants.
Project Pitcairn aims to run programmes and projects to rejuvenate the islands population and thus sustainability.
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Project Pitcairn aims to bring in between 6 and 12 people per year for 6 month periods so that people can help and have the opportunity to try out the Pitcairn lifestyle. It is hoped that some of these people may choose to make Pitcairn their home to ensure that the island remains sustainable.
To assist in finding the right people, Project Pitcairn will have specific projects for these people to come to do to keep them occupied on at least a part time basis. This allows them to still contribute to other work necessary to help keep the island operating.
Our Mission
To develop and implement programs to attract short and long term residents. Through the creation of these business and environmental opportunities, visitors will be enticed and capable of making the island their permanent home.
Our Vision
The aim of Project Pitcairn is to grow the resident population of Pitcairn back to a sustainable,
thriving community.
We believe in the potential of every individual to make
a positive impact, and we are dedicated to creating
a brighter future for Pitcairn.
Our 7 Objectives
1
Attract Skilled Volunteer Workers
To revitalize Pitcairn's dwindling population, we'll bring in skilled volunteers over five years. These workers will contribute essential skills and help the island thrive.
2
Enhance Digital Connectivity
We'll ensure Pitcairn has reliable and fast internet by 2024, enabling residents and volunteers to stay connected with the world.
3
Secure Access to
Fresh Produce
To improve nutrition and reduce reliance on
expensive imports.
4
Provide Affordable Housing for Volunteers
We will finish renovating the existing ancestral home of Jacqui Christian to offer affordable living spaces for up to 12 volunteers, and develop other accommodation options as the needs grow
5
Boost Sustainable Economic Development
By fostering private sector growth, we'll reduce dependence on government jobs and create new business opportunities for immigrants and residents.
6
Initiate
Environmental Projects
We'll launch three environmental projects by 2029, leveraging outside funding and local involvement to protect Pitcairn’s natural resources.
7
Offer Affordable Travel for Volunteers
We'll work to reduce travel costs to and from Pitcairn for volunteers, making it easier and more attractive for them to support the island.
The Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
JacquiI Christian
Founding Trustee
Born on Pitcairn Island in 1971, Jacqui Christian is a 7 th generation descendant from Fletcher Christian of the Bounty and Mauatua from Tahiti, the eldest daughter of Tom and Betty Christian. Educated at Pulau School on Pitcairn then boarding high school and university in New Zealand, Jacqui is a qualified and registered Pharmacist. She has worked as a pharmacist in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and currently on Saba in the Dutch Caribbean. Throughout her life Jacqui has held a creative vision for Pitcairn much like her father. She helped to restructure local government as a member of the Pitcairn Development Team and eventually as an elected representative of the Pitcairn council. From there she represented Pitcairn in the UK and Europe where she met her life partner Menno van der Velde, who resides on Saba.
Jacqui has always believed that traffic flow of people to Pitcairn is essential to creating opportunities to grow the resident population
of Pitcairn and ensure a sustainable future.
Britt Shaw
Trustee - Advisor
Britt Shaw is based in London and has been involved in exotic coffees for over 25 years. He is a co-owner of several coffee companies involved in the producing, processing and marketing the world’s rarest coffees, including Sea Island eCommerce Ltd, Blue Mountain Coffee Group Ltd, St Helena Trading Ltd., etc. Of particular note, Britt was instrumental in assisting St Helena to restart the island’s coffee industry and to reach commercially viable production quantities. He is now assisting Pitcairn to with technical advice and marketing services to grow and improve Pitcairn's own coffee export industry.
Floortje Dessing
Trustee - Media
Floortje Dessing, born on August 31, 1970, in Heemstede, developed an early passion for travel, eventually turning it into a career spanning over 30 years and 120 countries. She began her professional journey in 1992 at Radio Veronica as a producer and DJ before transitioning to television in 1995. Floortje gained recognition by presenting shows like Young Americans, Trexx, Camel Trophy, Arrivals, Reisgids, and RTL Travel.
In 2007, she launched the popular travel show ‘3 op Reis’ on NPO 3. In 2014, she began hosting "Floortje to the End of the World," where she visits people living in remote parts of the world.
Floortje is also an entrepreneur, owning Dessing Productions and the fair trade clothing store Nukuhiva. She co-founded “Keff & Dessing Publishing” and actively promotes fair trade as an ambassador for Max Havelaar and the Dutch jeans brand Kuyichi. Additionally, she supports the Red Cross and co-manages a creative campsite,
Camping Buitenland, in the Netherlands.
Tony Williams
Trustee - Secretary
Tony Williams is based in Hertfordshire in the UK. He is Secretary of the UK Pitcairn and Norfolk Island Society and a former Finance Manager and Company Secretary during his career. Also as a geographer, he has a lifelong interest in Britain’s Overseas Territories, particularly for the welfare of Pitcairn and is keen to promote the long term sustainability of the Island to help secure its future.