Multi-Stakeholder Forum of the Betung Kerihun Danau Sentarum Biosphere Reserve conducts study visit to the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve

The Betung Kerihun Danau Sentarum Biosphere Reserve (BKDSBR) of Kapuas Hulu has been established by UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme since July 2018. In 2020, the Regent of Kapuas Hulu formed the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF), consisting of 80 people in the secretariat forum, as a tool of coordination and communication between stakeholders, both from the government, the private sector and CSOs. During the implementation of the biosphere reserve programme, the MSF has experienced various obstacles and challenges. In response, representatives from BKDSBR conducted a visit to the Lore Lindu Biosphere Reserve (LLBR) from 12 - 16 December 2022 to see, study and exchange experiences regarding the management of biosphere reserves.

The arrival of the BKDSBR team was welcomed by the Head of the Central Sulawesi Province Bappeda, Dr. Ir. Christina Shandra Tobondo, MT. The LLBR team then took the BKDSBR team to several strategic locations currently under LLBR management, such as the LLBR secretariat in the Lore Lindu National Park, a shop selling various SME products produced by the LLBR (Rumah Coklat), a shop selling various forest management units products (Galeri KPH) and an orchid community group operating within the LLBR (Kareba Orchid of LLBR). Several important points were raised during the discussion, including in relation to the following areas:

- Coordination through multistakeholder forums, including the placement of an effective Biosphere Reserve secretariat.
- Synchronization of existing government plans with the Biosphere Reserve programme.
- The branding of Biosphere Reserve products through a product registration and verification system.

As a follow-up to this study visit, BKDSBR will implement various activities that have already been implemented by the LLBR, such as the placement of a biosphere reserve secretariat and synchronisation with government plans and budgets to support the biosphere reserve programme.

For more information, please contact:
Fikty Aprilinayati, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Biosphere Reserve Management
Ismet Khaeruddin, Senior Adviser for Biodiversity Focal Point for the KFW Forest Program 3 and Provincial Coordinator for Central Sulawesi

Bappenas holds discussions with KPHP Kendilo on development of wood charcoal energy-based village for biomass stove fuel

To view examples of the utilization of forest products as an energy source at the site level, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, supported by FORCLIME, held a recent field visit to the KPHP Kendilo forest management unit. This field visit took place from 11 - 12 December 2022 in Paser District, East Kalimantan and was led by Dr. Nur Hygiawati Rahayu, S.T., M.Sc., the Director of Forestry and Water Resources Conservation at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas. One of the Forest Farmers Groups (KTH) being assisted by KPHP Kendilo, which is called KTH Alas Taka, has run a charcoal production house that uses alaban wood (Vitex pinnata) since 2016. Currently, KTH Alas Taka can produce 15 tons of activated charcoal per month. This charcoal is used by the community in the KPHP Kendilo area, specifically within the village of Suweto, as an alternative energy source capable of replacing LPG as a household fuel. To support these activities, Mulawarman University also provided assistance to the community in the form of biomass stoves.

Field visit activities continued with an FGD that addressed the potential development of energy forests and the utilization of NTFPs for forestry development purposes, which was held on 13 December 2022 in Balikpapan. Led by Mrs. Dr. Nur Hygiawati Rahayu, S.T., M.Sc., this FGD was attended by the bioeconomy team, KPHP Kendilo and Mulawarman University. Among the results of the discussion were the need for government support in relation to the development of research and technology facilities, so that scaling up pilots will ultimately result in marketable products. Collaboration with related industry players and identification of partners is also seen as important in terms of developing the bioeconomy. If a new market is created in the downstream industry, then the community, with the help of the KPH, will be willing to plant other types of trees in accordance with demand.

For more information, please contact:
Nurdita Rahmadani, Junior Advisor for Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Pipin Permadi, Senior Advisor and Liaison Officer

Basic Entrepreneurial Training for Forest Farmers Groups and Facilitators Held in Supported Villages in West Papua Province

FORCLIME has a mandate to facilitate and provide support for the development of Forest Farmers Group businesses in supported villages through both the Local Community Strengthening Programme and Forest Management Units. This programme aims to strengthen Forest Management Units in terms of the provision and facilitation of skills that relate to business development, as well as support for forest farmers groups with an eye on independent and sustainable business development.

In line with this remit and working in conjunction with the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service, FORCLIME held a number of training sessions on basic business development for forest farmer groups and their facilitators (extensions) from the Forestry Service and the West Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center from 28 November - 1 December 2022 in Sorong, West Papua. The training sessions were opened by the Head of Forest Development and Social Forestry at the West Papua Provincial Forestry Service, Yunus Krey, S.Hut., M.Sc. and were attended by 24 participants.

After the opening session, the general atmosphere in the training classes became livelier due to the presence of the Training Team from RIWANI Globe, a business development and human capital consulting agency. The Training Team invited the training participants to formulate rules for the sessions and to appoint a class leader from one of the participant representatives. The hope was that through the class leader, the participants would be able to position themselves not only as objects of the training sessions but also as their main subjects (actors).

On the first day, the Training Team presented a number of brainstorming materials that covered the following areas: (1) Why do you work in groups?; (2) Knowing the purpose of the group; and (3) Making business ideas. The training became increasingly interactive and was supported by several microlearning tools such as meta-plans and mind mapping.

On the second and third days of the sessions, participants learned more about product value chains, business model maps and marketing, and also enjoyed an introduction to business and production planning.

The final session was of particular importance as the participants were expected to draw up action plans. During this activity, the trainers divided the participants into two groups, namely the forest farmers groups and facilitators, resulting in two action plans. It is hoped that in the wake of the formulation of the action plans, the participants will be able to follow business licensing procedures consistently and apply the various materials that they experienced during the training sessions.

In order to follow up on the basic business development training, an online coaching session is planned for early 2023.

For more information, please contact:
Wira Hakim, Advisor for Human Capacity Development
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic Area Manager for Human Capacity Development