Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — The Ministry of Forestry of Indonesia and the Government of Norway officially launched the fourth phase of the Community Environmental Fund Service (Small Grant) in Jakarta on Thursday as part of their continued partnership to support Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 target.
The launch took place during a meeting between Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni and Norway’s Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust. The program continues the third phase of the Small Grant initiative introduced in August 2025.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni stated that the Community Environmental Fund has now entered its fourth implementation period and reflects the strong bilateral commitment to advancing climate mitigation through inclusive public participation. He emphasized that the program forms part of the result-based contribution mechanism underpinning Indonesia–Norway cooperation on emission reductions.
The Small Grant scheme supports the achievement of Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030 target through result-based financing provided by Norway. The Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH) manages and channels the funds under the Ministry of Forestry.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni expressed appreciation to the Norwegian government for its sustained cooperation, noting that climate change and global warming present urgent and tangible challenges that require strengthened international collaboration and accelerated mitigation efforts.
Across three previous phases, the program has disbursed IDR 19.31 billion to 561 community groups, benefiting 31,512 recipients across 36 provinces. The initiative serves as a financial instrument to promote active and inclusive community engagement in environmental protection and climate resilience.
Beneficiaries include civil society groups, youth communities, social forestry groups, and conservation practitioners working closely with forest and land-based ecosystems.
Minister Åsmund Aukrust commended Indonesia’s commitment to community-based climate action and stressed that climate change represents the most global crisis faced today. He underlined that no single country can address it alone, making partnerships such as that between Norway and Indonesia essential.
Norway has contributed USD 216 million in recognition of Indonesia’s achievements in reducing deforestation, demonstrating a tangible and results-driven bilateral commitment. Minister Aukrust stated that the fourth phase of the Small Grant program ensures that climate finance reaches communities living closest to forests.
For the fourth phase, proposal submissions are open from 12 to 19 February 2026 through an improved and more accessible online registration system at layanan-dana-masyarakat.bpdlh.id. Proposals will be processed in accordance with applicable funding mechanisms.
Applicants may choose one of three thematic areas: FOLU Goes to School, focusing on youth engagement in environmental protection; FOLU Terra, aimed at improving community welfare through environmentally based activities; and FOLU Biodiversity, supporting biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Through these themes, the Ministry of Forestry invites broad public participation to collaborate in climate mitigation efforts while reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to achieving the FOLU Net Sink 2030 target. (*)
