EcoFund is a direct funding mechanism for sustainable community development programs, policies reform, and nature conservation given to indigenous and local community initiatives in eastern Indonesia, to protect and manage their resources, so they can continue to contribute to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, increase carbon stocks, and improve local economies. Since 2020, EcoNusa has collaborated with 202 partners from diverse backgrounds, allocating nearly 1.2 million USD, with the majority of the programs implemented in Papua and Maluku Islands.

Ecofund primarily supports activities such as indigenous territory mapping, forest preservation, natural resource management, community-based ecotourism initiatives dan promotion, economic resilience enhancement, revolving fund establishment, sustainable ocean and coastal management promotion, research, and youth capacity development.

Above programs serve to support Indonesian government in managing environmental and natural resources effectively, while simultaneously propel to achieve the 2030 Forest and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net-Sink targets and support the nation’s advancement in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly on goals 14 and 15.

• Facilitating easy and direct funding access for local and indigenous communities.
• Highlighting the significance of prioritizing initiatives in Eastern Indonesia, given its role as the frontline for forest and ocean ecosystems—crucial for mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis.

Grants

Aim to increase the capacity of indigenous and local communities, customary territories mapping, research, and assisting indigenous communities.

Types of grants: :

• Small Funds
• Collaborative Program Funds

Revolving Funds

Aim to empower indigenous communities, young individuals, and women entrepreneurship engaged in sustainable and fair natural resource management, offering the potential for profitability and enhancing community self-sufficiency.

Small Grants

1. Individuals and/or indigenous and local communities applicants, youth and women groups
2. Have existing organizational structure
3. Own organizational bank account

Funding Cycle: monthly in year-round

Revolving Funds

1. Individuals and/or indigenous and local communities applicants, youth and women groups
2. Have existing organizational profile
3. Have valid legal entity
4. Have existing organizational SOP
5. Own organizational bank account

Funding Cycle: Quarterly

Collaborative Program Funds

1. Individuals and/or indigenous and local communities applicants, youth and women groups
2. Have existing organizational profile
3. Have valid legal entity
4. Have valid organizational finance audit report
5. Have existing organizational SOP
6. Own organizational bank account
7. Mandatory selection through EcoFund Committee

Siklus pendanaan: Funding Cycle: Biannual (per semester)