Steamships Launches Grants Programmes on Global Community Engagement Day
06 February 2026
Image: Lunch with Legends Panelists with Steamships Staff (left to right): Ruth Kissam - GM Corporate Affairs, Nelson Stone, Dika Toua, Chris Daniells – Managing Director Steamships, Shirley Kaupa, Cathy Alex, Dr Esther Lavu and Hane Toua – Community Engagement Manager
Steamships is excited to announce the launch of two key community grants programmes in alignment with Global Community Engagement Day (GCE), an annual observance that recognizes the importance of volunteerism and the collective impact individuals and organizations can make through service.
The company introduced the Steamies LEAD Grants Programme, an internal initiative designed to empower Steamships employees to lead their own community projects. Announcing the programme, Managing Director, Chris Daniells, said:
“We know many of our staff already volunteer, lead youth groups, coach sports teams, run community fundraisers or contribute quietly behind the scenes. The LEAD Grants are designed to recognize that spirit and help them do even more.”
Mr Daniells also confirmed that applications for the 2026 Community Grants Programme (CGP) are now open. The CGP is Steamships’ flagship external community funding programme, supporting registered organizations that deliver positive and sustainable changes across PNG. More information, including application forms, is available on the Steamships website.
image: Dika Toua shares a light moment with Steamships staff after the Lunch with Legends event.
The grant announcements were made during Steamships’ first internal Lunch with Legends (LwL) session for 2026. The session, themed “The Community Special,” brought together five of Steamships’ valued community partners whose work continues to make a meaningful difference across PNG.
The panel featured Dika Toua, MBE, Founder of LDT W8lifting Club; Dr. Esther Lavu, President of Vewala'va Association Inc.; Nelson Stone, Founder of NEST Foundation; Cathy Alex, Executive Director of Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network; and Shirley Kaupa, Programme Coordinator at Magna Carter PNG Inc.
image: Nelson Stone poses for a photo with Steamships staff
The panelists shared insights from their respective fields, spanning sports development, leadership, youth empowerment, women’s advancement, and community health, and reflected on both the challenges and opportunities shaping their work.
Their contributions set an energizing tone for the year ahead and encouraged Steamships employees to remain active participants in community development across PNG.