The Vanuatu Protected Areas Initiative (VPAI) is a non-profit organisation established in 1994 to help meet the growing needs of rural conservation initiatives in Vanuatu.

VPAI works in partnership with the village-based Loru Protected Area Committee (LoPAC) and has been particularly active in helping to establish the Loru Rainforest Protected Area and Loru Environment Centre. It also works closely with the Vanuatu government and local, regional and international NGOs.

The organisation is run entirely by volunteers who give their time to help individuals and communities who are committed to addressing their own environmental concerns. It mainly plays a facilitative role, assisting in the process of exploring and developing locally appropriate environmental solutions through workshops, field visits and environmental theatre.

VPAI does not impose projects from outside and will only provide support that is genuinely needed and not available through other channels. It is also involved in on-going scientific studies that are undertaken specifically to aid conservation work.

VPAI operates on very small amounts of funding which it seeks from a variety of difference sources. These include private donors, fundraising activities, development agencies and trust funds.

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