EcoNusa Foundation

OUR MISSION: To promote sustainable and equitable management of Indonesia’s natural resources by strengthening local capacities, supporting Indigenous People and Local Communities rights, and advancing climate action, for the benefit of people and the planet.

WHY EASTERN INDONESIA MATTERS: Eastern Indonesia—including Papua and Maluku—is home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity. These rainforests and coral reefs are vital for global climate stability, fisheries, and cultural heritage. However, they face threats from deforestation, unsustainable resource extraction, and climate change. Protecting these ecosystems is not only critical for Indigenous People and Local Communities, but also for the world. 

OUR STRATEGIC GOALS (2024–2029): In realizing its vision and carrying out its mission, EcoNusa establishes strategic roles to be implemented, namely:

1. Sustainable Natural Resource Management

As a community mobilizer to pursue changes related to just and sustainable natural resource management, particularly in Papua and Maluku and more broadly in Eastern Indonesia.

2. Policy Bridging

Bridging the interests and aspirations of communities with policymakers at the national and international levels regarding community sovereignty in just and sustainable natural resource management.

3. Knowledge and Collaboration

Strengthening knowledge, relationships, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to support community sovereignty efforts in just and sustainable natural resource management.

4. Institutional Strengthening

Strengthening organizational capacity and governance by promoting the principles of accountability, inclusiveness, excellence, equality, positive transformation, responsibility, and social and environmental justice.

WHAT WE DO: EcoNusa works alongside Indigenous People and Local Communities in Eastern Indonesia to safeguard forests, oceans, and biodiversity while building resilient, self-reliant Indigenous People and Local Communities.

Forest & Biodiversity Protection

• Support community forest management and secure legal recognition of indigenous territories.
• Protect vital carbon reserves and promote biodiversity conservation through sustainable land-use practices.

Ocean & Fisheries Conservation

• Advocate for policies that protect coastal and small island ecosystems.
• Operate a Marine Station in Banda Neira as a hub for conservation research, education, and sustainable aquaculture.
• Promote Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) to recognize and support community-led ocean and coastal stewardship outside formal protected areas.

IPLC Rights & Advocacy

• Facilitate participatory mapping, legal recognition processes, and policy engagement to ensure Indigenous People and Local Communities priorities are included in development planning.

Climate Action & Youth Mobilization

• Lead the Aksi Muda Jaga Iklim (AMJI) movement, inspiring and equipping young people to take real action for climate and ecosystem restoration.
• Collaborate with the Indonesian Scout Movement to introduce the Mangrove Badge, nurturing environmental awareness and hands-on mangrove conservation among 25 million of young scouts across the country.

Restorative Economies through KOBUMI

• Support community-led cooperatives to develop sustainable businesses in agriculture, fisheries, and ecotourism.
• Create alternative livelihoods that restore ecosystems and strengthen community independence.

OUR IMPACT

• 238,975 hectares of indigenous territories mapped and maintained, safeguarding forests, mangroves, and carbon stocks worth approximately USD 80 million.
• Recognition and certification of 13,113 hectares of customary lands, empowering communities to protect and manage their resources.
• Protection of 79,000 hectares of mangroves, storing over 1 million tons of carbon.
• Mobilized 67,560 youth activists across 1,285 locations, delivering large-scale tree, mangrove, and coral restoration.
• Enabled 5,530 local farmers and fishers to access domestic and international markets through KOBUMI, including spice exports to Vietnam.
• Strengthened local economies and conservation through 30 eco-homestays, marine research stations, and sustainable aquaculture.
• Reached over 2.25 million people online with positive narratives on forest and ocean protection.

WHY YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS

Your donation helps:

• Protect rainforests and coral reefs vital to biodiversity and climate stability.
• Secure Indigenous People and Local Communities land rights and community-led natural resource management.
• Support youth-led environmental movements.
• Nurture sustainable livelihoods that restore ecosystems.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create a just and sustainable future for people and the planet.