In an effort to improve the community and livelihoods in Yanggandur, one of the villages that are being supported by the Wasur National Park and FORCLIME in Merauke Regency, South Papua, an initial survey of the Moruti Farmers Group (which means ancestral land) was carried out on 21 August 2023. This activity was initiated by village facilitators who implemented various activities in Yanggandur Village, Theodorus Tethool S.Sos. An initial survey of other farmers groups in Yanggandur Village was previously been undertaken at the beginning of August. This current initial survey aimed to assess the Moruti Farmers Group in terms of administration and product potential.

The Moruti Farmers Group was founded by Mrs. Kasparina Ndiken, who is also the group leader, and has 15 members (including the leader). The group produces non-timber forest products, such as VCO oil and various flavors of banana chips, and will soon start producing buah merah oil (oil made from Pandanus conoideus). The survey results have revealed that the group does not yet possess any administrative documents (cash book, guest book, group activity book). Moreover, the products that are being produced are not yet covered by any Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) license. Through mentoring activities, group capacity is set to be increased in terms of production quality, including packaging, product marketing and necessary permits. In addition, training sessions will also be held that specifically address administrative and financial management, as well as institutional strengthening.

For further information, please contact:
Theodorus Tethool, Yanggandur Village Facilitator
Ruben Yogi, GIS and Mapping Advisor
Rut Ohoiwutun, Community Forest and Customary Forest Advisor

Created: 25 August 2023

As a follow-up to Letter of the Head of the Foreign Cooperation Bureau, Ministry of Environment and For-estry (MoEF) regarding the Submission of the West Kalimantan Green Climate Fund (GCF Kalbar) Proposal, the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Service held a meeting with West Kalimantan GCF partners on 16 August 2023. The partners invited to the meeting were FORCLIME, Fauna Flora International (FFI) and Solidaridad, while the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperative relations among West Kalimantan GCF members, including through the provision of updates on the development of the GCF proposal and partner cooperation with the MoEF related to the planned climate funding proposal for the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The hybrid meeting was led by the Head of Forest Use and Utilization for the Provincial Environment and Forestry Service, Mr. Ervan Judiarto, and was attended by several heads of the Environment and Forestry Service, members of the REDD Working Group (academicians and local NGOs) and GCF partners in West Kalimantan.

After the meeting, Solidaridad and FFI added the activities that will be carried out under the GCF framework to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) that is being prepared with the relevant national partners. This MoU will ultimately become the basis for the implementation of joint activities with the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry Service.

For more information, please contact:
Ervan Judiarto, ST., MT., the Head of Forest Use and Utilization of the Environment and Forestry Service
Jumtani, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and GCF Focal Point
Wandojo Siswanto, Strategic Area Manager for Forest Policy and Climate Change

Created: 24 August 2023

At the end of 2021, FORCLIME and its partners designated two support villages through the Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) process in the Tambrauw Protected Forest Management Unit (KPHL) area, specifically the village of Emmaus in the sub-district of Sausapor and the village of Bikar in the sub-district of Bikar. In the two villages, FORCLIME and partners focused on activities aimed at increasing the capacities of forest farmer groups (KTH), as well as the development of non-timber forest products (HHBK) that have business potential and that can improve community welfare whilst also protecting forests. Several initiatives have been implemented within the two villages in an effort to help KTH to secure forest management permits through the Social Forestry scheme.

To expand this facilitation, FORCLIME held a coordination meeting with the Social Forestry and Environmental Partnership Center for Maluku and Papua Islands (Sekwil II BPSKL) in Manokwari, West Papua on 14 August 2023. The meeting was opened by the Head of Sekwil II BPSKL, Ms. Lilian Komaling, S.Hut., M.Sc., and addressed several matters, including:

• Section II BPSKL Maluku Papua, working in conjunction with FORCLIME, will help the villages of Emmaus and Bikar to secure management permits through the Social Forestry scheme. The two villages already meet the requirements because they have KTH and possess business potential that can be developed, particularly NTFPs.
• In order to secure management permits through the Social Forestry scheme, existing KTH must first be verified. As a result, Section II BPSKL Maluku Papua and FORCLIME will facilitate KTH in the verification process, which is planned to be completed in early September 2023.

In the wake of this coordination meeting, FORCLIME will also prepare a draft agenda on the facilitation of KTH in their quest to secure management permits through the Social Forestry scheme and will also identify the various parties that will become involved in facilitation activities. In addition, a coordination meeting will be held with the Southwest Papua Province Environment, Forestry and Agrarian Service and KPHL Tambrauw.

For more information, please contact:
Nita Yohana, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua Island

Created: 23 August 2023