Kompas.id – The 16th Conference of the Parties or COP 16 on Biodiversity which is taking place from October 21 to November 1, 2024 in Cali, Columbia discussed an important agenda, one of which is direct funding for Indigenous Peoples and local communities as one of the important elements in the struggle to preserve biodiversity and environmental sustainability. Farah Sofa (Kompas, 29/10/2024), Ford Foundation Program Officer stated that the loss of biodiversity is one of the most pressing problems because it has major consequences for ecosystems, the economy, and human welfare. In 2023, the results of research by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Report Living Planet 2022 of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2023, shows that the condition of Indonesia's biodiversity is worrying and requires solutions to maintain and preserve it.
According to Farah Sofa, for decades, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have played a leading role in efforts to protect high biodiversity by guarding their territories based on their traditional knowledge and practices. However, Indigenous Peoples and local communities often lack the resources to protect their territories effectively.
The Xingu Indigenous Fund in the Amazon rainforest, for example, has empowered Indigenous Peoples to patrol their lands, document changes in biodiversity, and develop sustainable resource management practices. This approach not only protects the rainforest, but also revitalizes indigenous cultures.
Nusantara Fund is an initiative of three major movement institutions in Indonesia AMAN (Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago), KPA (Agrarian Reform Consortium), and WALHI (Indonesian Environmental Forum) was established with the aim of supporting the initiatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities such as Farmers, Fishermen, Women, and the Young Generation in fighting for their rights and improving the quality of life with independent, socially just and sustainable management of natural resources, agrarian resources, and the environment. A real example from the Coffee Farmers of Ibun Village, Ibun District, Bandung Regency, West Java, shows the process of processing coffee beans produced from the social forestry they manage to receive the Nusantara Fund trial program since December 2022. Another example is the Bayang Bungo Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS), West Sumatra, which is a community receiving the Nusantara Fund in 2024. Bayang Bungo residents develop derivative products from forest plants in the form of nutmeg syrup.
Farah Sofa stated that Dana Nusantara has advantages that set it apart from other funding schemes. First, a deep understanding of the land and specific biodiversity challenges allows them to implement effective solutions. Second, ownership in the management of the fund encourages sustainable practices. Third, the fund builds trust by bridging relationships between international organizations and local stakeholders. Fourth, the fund empowers communities to play an active role in conservation efforts. Fifth, direct management by communities strengthens equality and a fairer economy through shared ownership and governance.
