At a press conference after meeting Norwegian International Development Minister Asmund Aukrust in Jakarta on Thursday, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni praised bilateral cooperation, including support for Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 target through a results-based funding mechanism under the Indonesia–Norway partnership.
"This is the fourth of its kind: the launch of the Community Fund for the Environment," Antoni said.
The Community Fund for the Environment is a financing scheme for community development, offering support to local non-profit organizations, indigenous groups, universities, and other entities. The Forestry Ministry disburses the funds through the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH).
Over three implementation periods, the program has disbursed Rp19.31 billion to 561 community groups, with a total of 31,512 beneficiaries spread across 36 provinces.
"The funds allocated this time are Rp 7 billion, and we are targeting approximately 200 recipients of this grant," Antoni explained.
"I feel this figure is still too small. Perhaps next year we can double it for the fifth phase," he added.
On the same occasion, Norwegian Minister of International Development Asmund Aukrust expressed his appreciation for the collaboration between the two countries in addressing global challenges, including environmental and climate issues.
"This is a partnership we are proud of. It includes a commitment to a sustainable economy and a sustainable future," Aukrust said.
For the fourth period, proposal submissions will be open from February 12-19, 2026, with a more accessible registration process.
The public can submit proposals online through layanan-dana-masyarakat.bpdlh.id, which will then be processed according to the applicable mechanisms.
During this period, the public can choose one of three main themes. First, FOLU Goes to School focuses on engaging the younger generation in environmental conservation.
Second, FOLU Terra aims to improve community welfare through environment-based activities. Third, FOLU Biodiversity supports biodiversity conservation efforts.
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Translator: Prisca Triferna Violleta, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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