On July 21, 2017, EcoNusa Foundation was established with a noble purpose: to elevate local initiatives in Indonesia to national and international levels. EcoNusa focuses on fair and sustainable natural resource management, particularly in Eastern Indonesia, which is rich in biodiversity and indigenous cultures.
EcoNusa’s headquartered in Jakarta but operates seven regional offices in Papua, West Papua, Maluku, and North Maluku. They also operate the EcoXplorer, a multifunctional vessel that enables them to reach remote coastal and island areas. Although most of the staff are based in Jakarta, EcoNusa plans to move their headquarters to Papua in the near future to be closer to the communities they support.
Read also: Reconsidering Eastern Indonesia: Current Situation in Papua and Maluku
With a vision of promoting community self-reliance in natural resource management, EcoNusa collaborates with over 15 local partners, including religious organizations, and supports 34,000 direct beneficiaries across 24 districts and 172 villages. Additionally, they serve as the secretariat for the Interfaith Rainforest Initiative Indonesia, which unites religious leaders and indigenous community leaders in forest conservation and climate change efforts.
EcoNusa’s holistic and comprehensive approach involves various communities from coastal areas to mountains. They connect local initiatives with government programs, mobilize public support, and distribute resources to support local initiatives through small grants, revolving funds, and capacity building. Their work focuses on policy advocacy, low-carbon development, promoting sustainable local economies, and supporting the rights and livelihoods of indigenous communities.
To plan their strategy for the next five years, EcoNusa conducted an internal review carried out by the Remdec Team. This review aims to draw lessons from previous program implementations and ensure the sustainability of their efforts in the future. (Read: The EcoNusa Internal Review Report 2023)
The story of EcoNusa is one of dedication and hard work to create a better future for indigenous communities in Eastern Indonesia, prioritizing justice and sustainability in every step they take.
