Wonosobo Community Assistance Network (JKPM)

There are three forest farmer groups (KTH) in Sigedang Village, Central Java, which have managed forestry land since 1999. The three KTHs are KTH Karya Remaja, KTH Mugi Lestari, and KTH Karya Maju. The production crops they cultivate include potatoes, coffee, eggplant, and avocado. The total membership of the three KTHs is 82 people with a total area managed reaching 105 hectares. Although the three KTHs have managed forestry land since long ago, they have not obtained formal legal access to the land until now.

On that basis, the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding for the three KTHs was used to take care of forest management permits through the forest area scheme with special management (KHDPK). With the legality of the land, they not only get legal certainty for their right to manage it. But also, they have the opportunity to improve the power system, governance, and production system of the Sigedang Village community. This legal access also directly secures the continuity of sustainable forest management by the community.

The series of activities starting from mapping to submitting the required data to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), lasted approximately 2 months; late June to early August 2024. The activities that have been carried out: participatory mapping training, participatory mapping by 15 cadres from the three KTHs, establishment of a people's education center, public campaign, and submission of data to KLHK. The cadres of the three KTHs were trained in participatory mapping so that they were able to find points, use geographic system technology, and manage human resources. In participatory mapping activities, they not only mapped the area, but also identified the potential for plant diversity in each region. The aspect of community independence has been emphasized since the participatory mapping activities, up to the submission of data to KLHK.

There are several changes that are certain to occur in the community during the program. First, related to spatial understanding and related to participatory mapping. By mastering mapping skills, they can understand the management area and its characteristics. Understanding the management area also increases understanding of the importance of the sustainable forest management process. The second skill is related to communication and negotiation with other parties involved in public campaign activities and proposals for community management areas (WKR) to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Third, this program directly provides benefits to 82 members. However, if we talk about the impact of managing 105 hectares of land by 82 members, this program has the potential to provide benefits to at least 500 people.