FORCLIME, working in conjunction with the West Papua Forestry Service, held a recent dissemination session on the social forestry and FORCLIME programme in the supported villages of Wendi and Haha, which are located in South Sorong Regency, West Papua, from 27 – 29 July 2022. The event was held in line with the principles of Free, Prior Informed Consent (FPIC).

The meeting, which was opened by the Head of Forest Development and Social Forestry for the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service, Mr. Yunus W. Krey, S.Hut., M.Sc., was attended by government representatives from the Sawiat and Seremuk sub-districts, as well as representatives from the villages of Wendi and Haha, Forest Farmers Groups (KTH) from the village of Wendi (KTH Wendi 1, KTH Wendi 2, KTH Lembah Hijau) and KTH from the village of Haha (KTH Imian, KTH Sesna, KTH Nagi).

The forest farmer groups in the two supported villages have already secured a Village Forest scheme permit, meaning that they are now allowed to seek support from other parties, in this case, FORCLIME. Through this event, farmers’ group members learned that the assistance that will be provided will not take the form of material or financial support. Instead, FORCLIME will provide support in the form of training aimed at increasing the capacities of forest farmers’ groups and developing their business potentials, including in relation to the production of non-timber forest products.

“We, the Wendi Village government, are extremely grateful to the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service. There is a lot of potential here, but our human resources capacity remains limited. The hope then is that the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service and FORCLIME will be able to provide assistance,” explained the Secretary of Wendi Village, Mr. Yeremias Krimadi.

As a follow-up to this activity, farmers’ groups within the villages of Wendi and Haha, assisted by the village facilitator, drew up a number of more detailed work plans. This village facilitator has received training in the implementation of activities in the supported villages.

For more information, please contact:
Melanesia Brigite Boseren, Junior Advisor for Rural Livelihood, Forest Management and Conservation
Nita Yohana, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for West Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces