For the first time, a global financing breakthrough was initiated by three national organizations, namely the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (AMAN), Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA), and the Indonesian Environmental Forum (WALHI).
Global funding contributed to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities is called Nusantara Fund. Direct funding that is based on the lack of global funding is believed to be able to help Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities as Guardians of Tomorrow or Guardians of the Future. Especially, in managing the world's biodiversity, so as to achieve prosperity in the economic sector.
This is not impossible to achieve because the three organizations that launched the Nusantara Fund have a fairly well-established organizational infrastructure to various regions in Indonesia. Then, the three organizations have a strong idea, namely working together to fight for the rights and improve the quality of life of Indigenous Peoples, farmers, fishermen, vulnerable communities, women's groups, youth groups and other local communities.
No wonder, if this idea is realized in the form of an agreement and joint responsibility to support the efforts made by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, in managing natural resources, agrarian resources and the environment in a traditional, independent, socially just and sustainable manner. .
Building Mechanisms
AMAN, KPA and WALHI have the same commitment to support the work of social movements and advocacy for the people in their respective communities. These three organizations also have different work focuses, but have issues that are related to each other. This condition is the basis for the three organizations to build a strong direct funding mechanism to support various Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities initiatives, especially in solving the challenges of recognizing tenure rights, protecting and managing land, water, territory, environment and other agrarian resources.
Apart from that, this direct funding mechanism is also intended to increase contributions in reducing emissions related to deforestation and forest degradation, promote a community-based economy and improve people's welfare.
Tested
This mechanism has been tested in 30 different locations in Indonesia since December 2022, starting from West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Jambi, West Java, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara and North Maluku. The trial of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding system is expected to promote and implement strong yet simple direct funding support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Then, develop the quantity and quality of individual and group resources of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Indonesia. No less important than all that, this system is also expected to build or strengthen the collective economic, social and political strength of fellow Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Indonesia. As well as initiating economic independence, building various sources and funding resilience AMAN, KPAand WALHI.
Ready to Launch
It is hoped that the Nusantara Fund can become the initial foundation for the formation of economic independence for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Its launch, which was held on Monday, May 8, 2023 at the Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, could be an innovative solution for mobilizing global funding for Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia from AMAN, KPA and WALHI. Secretary General AMAN Rukka Sombolinggi stated that the launch of the Nusantara Fund initiated by three national organizations is expected to be able to move work in the village in a faster way. Then, we can consolidate the Indigenous Peoples' movement, the environmental movement and the agrarian reform movement throughout the archipelago.
