Community-based agroforestry enterprises for sustainable and collective land use
The Sengkarang watershed in Central Java Province has been affected by climate change. Rising temperatures, changes in rainfall patterns, and deteriorated ecosystems create challenges for farmers, increasing poverty in rural areas. This IKI Small Grants project makes forest village communities in the area more resilient to the effects of climate change by creating community-based agroforestry businesses. The project works with 200 farmers to form a cooperative that manages land sustainably and promotes Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). They plan to make 40 hectares of land available and increase farmers’ income by 20 per cent. The project also provides training and networking opportunities to help the cooperative connect with other businesses in the village. Local governments and other public stakeholders also support the project to ensure its success in the long term.
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
IKI Small Grants supports Relung Indonesia in their organisational capacity development through:
- Development and management of the Geographic Information System (GIS) of Petungkriyono Sub-district (Sengkarang Upper Watershed)
- Development of a simple digital financial system for community business groups to assist in the professional and sustainable management of community-based business units
- Digital dissemination of good practices using digital platforms
- Self-organized peer-to-peer exchange on the topic of Nature-Based Solutions
ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
The Indonesian Environmental Resilience Foundation, abbreviated as the Relung Indonesia Foundation, was established in Jakarta in 2018. Relung Indonesia Foundation strengthens local communities by promoting sustainable management of natural resources and protecting the environment.
Relung Indonesia has worked in 6 provinces and 14 regencies in Indonesia and has transferred knowledge to more than 1,500 people living around forests. They have as well has engaged with over 30 stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, academics, and the private sector.
They support communities in developing ecologically sustainable economic activities, creating action plans, and building capacity. The organisation encourages development of agroforestry, organic waste processing, and renewable energy generation to improve environmental and community resilience around forests, nature reserves, peatlands, and upstream areas of river basins.