Prior to engaging in any development activities at the site level, it is necessary to secure the consent of local communities as the parties that will be potentially affected the most by said development. It is thus vital to gain an understanding of how to seek the consent of local communities in accordance with adequate procedures, ethics and processes so that potential conflicts can be minimized. To that end, FORCLIME facilitated the participation of representatives of the government, NGOs and academics working within the provinces of Papua and West Papua in three training sessions that addressed the issue of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and that were organized by the Earthworm Foundation in conjunction with its business division, Lemungsure.

The FPIC training sessions were held online on 20 September, 28 September and 5 October, 2021. In total, 20 participants were facilitated by FORCLIME and ultimately took part in the training sessions. These participants were drawn from the forestry services of Papua and West Papua provinces, the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) of Papua and West Papua, the Wasur National Park, the Tambrauw Forest Management Unit (KPHP), KPHP Sorong Selatan, the University of Papua, Cenderawasih University, Ottow Geissler Papua University, PERDU Manokwari (a local NGO) and FORCLIME. During the sessions, participants received training in various essential issues that require consideration prior to the initiation of any development activities that directly relate to the management of natural resources and traditional communities, including:
1. Definitions, principles and stages of FPIC;
2. Implementation of FPIC stages;
3. Mitigation of conflicts of interest that involve the relevant parties; and
4. Strategies and tactics for gaining the consent of communities.

During the training sessions, each participant offered up a case study based on their real work in the field. At the end of the training sessions, the participants were evaluated in order to gauge whether their understanding of FPIC processes had increased. Based on the results of these evaluations, it was found that 62.5% of the participants strongly agreed while 37.5% of the participants agreed that they had increased their FPIC knowledge. Meanwhile, none of the participants claimed that they had not benefitted from any increase in their knowledge.

Among the participants was Reynold Kesaulija, M.Sc., Head of the South Sorong KPHP, who stated that, “The most important thing I learned during these FPIC training sessions related to the approval process for traditional communities that should be conducted prior to the initiation of any developments relating to the management of natural resources".

For more information, please contact:
Melanesia Brigite Boseren, Junior Adviser for Rural Livelihood, Forest Management and Conservation
Ruben Yogi, Junior Adviser for GIS and Forest Mapping
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces

Created: 25 October 2021

With the intention of synergizing activities relating to the conservation of natural resources in West Papua Province, FORCLIME held a coordination meeting with the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) in Manokwari on 7 October 2021. The online meeting, which was opened by Yuna Brata Purba, the Head of the Sub-Division for Reporting, Data and Public Relations at the West Papua BBKSDA, addressed opportunities for the joint implementation of various conservation-related activities.

During the meeting, the FORCLIME West Papua Team discussed the possibility of FORCLIME supporting various activities, including:
1. Technical training for BBKSDA staff in relation to biodiversity inventorying and spatial data training.
2. Training for facilitators/extensions in assisted villages.
3. Assistance with the preparation of the Regional Long-Term Management Plan (RPJP) for the BBKSDA area.
4. Support for the implementation of the inventorying of BBKSDA area potentials.

The West Papua BBKSDA has welcomed the forthcoming support plan. Currently, a total of 19 villages are being assisted within the BBKSDA working area by nine mentors. However, the BBKSDA is targeting t increase in this number to 50 assisted villages by 2024 and support from various development partners is very much required as a result.

For more information, please contact:
Nita Yohana, Adviser for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for West Papua Province
Melanesia Brigite Boseren, Junior Adviser for Rural Livelihood, Forest Management and Conservation
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces

Created: 25 October 2021

Following the success of the talkshow for the EU Climate Diplomacy Week in 2019, this year FORCLIME together with UNESCO Man and Biosphere progamme (MAB) Indonesia hosted a virtual session talking about biosphere reserve developments in Indonesia. The event on the 13 October 2021 celebrated also the 50th anniversary of the Man and Biosphere programme (MAB) of UNESCO. During the session, participants received insights about biosphere reserve in Indonesia from the UNESCO Indonesia and the national research and innovation agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional-BRIN). Moreover, experiences from the Betung Kerihun Danau Sentarum Kapuas Hulu and Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserves were presented by SASCI and the Head of Economic Planning of Central Sulawesi Planning Agency (Bappeda), Dr. Irwan, FORCLIME’s counterpart. Additionally, voices of young generation about biosphere reserve were presented by Ms Sukma Riverningtyas, an MAB youth representative.

Climate Diplomacy Week is a time when EU Delegations around the world reach out to communities and partner organisations, highlighting positive global action and collaboration on climate change.

Further information about FORCLIME’s activities at the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve, please contact:
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Adviser for Biodiversity Focal Point for the KFW Forest Program 3 & Provincial Coordinator Central Sulawesi

Created: 14 October 2021