On August 20, 2025, the EcoNusa Foundation signed a cooperation agreement with the Social Forestry Offices (BPS) of Ambon and Manokwari. The signing took place during the Festival Perhutanan Sosial Nasional (PESONA) 2025, organized by the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. This collaboration marks a joint commitment to accelerate and strengthen the implementation of social forestry programs across the Maluku Islands and Tanah Papua.
The partnership focuses on enhancing community-based forest management by providing support in obtaining forest management permits, developing forest areas, strengthening community institutions, and promoting local enterprises. It also includes participatory mapping of customary areas, resolution of tenure conflicts, documentation of local knowledge, and capacity-building initiatives through training and field assistance.
Through this agreement, EcoNusa reinforces its active role in empowering Indigenous and local communities living around forest areas, ensuring their rights are upheld while promoting inclusive, just, and sustainable natural resource governance.
Text: Nur Alfiyah | Photos: Rievki
