Enviro News Asia, Bogor — Indonesia is preparing a post-project strategy to ensure that peatland management achievements under the Integrated Management of Peatland Landscapes in Indonesia (IMPLI) continue beyond the project’s completion.
After more than six years of implementation, the GEF-6-funded IMPLI project has entered its final phase following a socialization event in Bogor on September 29, 2026. The Ministry of Environment and the Environment Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) emphasized the need for an exit strategy to maintain peatland governance and management in Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra.
Implemented by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) together with KLH/BPLH, IMPLI has applied a landscape-based approach through Peatland Hydrological Units (KHG). The project has focused on institutional strengthening, ecosystem restoration, community empowerment, hydrological monitoring, knowledge development and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
“As the project cycle ends, we are entering an important stage to ensure that the results, good practices, knowledge, innovations and institutional mechanisms developed through the project continue to provide benefits after the project ends,” said Edy Nugroho Santoso, Director of Peatland Ecosystem Protection and Management at KLH/BPLH.
From Project to Sustainable System
The IMPLI exit strategy is designed as a transition from project support toward long-term ownership and management by governments, communities, businesses, universities, civil society organizations and development partners.
The project has developed sustainability assets ranging from physical infrastructure to policies, institutions, databases, digital systems, community capacity, partnerships, knowledge and financing models.
At the policy level, provincial Peatland Ecosystem Protection and Management Plans (RPPEG) have been completed in Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra. District-level RPPEG drafts have also been developed for formal adoption and integration into regional development plans and spatial planning documents.
At the field level, IMPLI has supported the establishment of Peatland Ecosystem Protection and Management Working Teams (TK-PPEG) and participatory Community Work Plans (RKM).
The project has also supported community-based economic activities, including paludiculture, agrosilvofishery, livestock farming, honey production, drinking-water depots, fish farming and horticulture.
Technology has also played a role through the development of SiPPEG and SiMATAG information systems, water loggers to monitor groundwater levels, and methods for estimating greenhouse gas emissions using groundwater-level and CO2 data.
Ade Chandra of the Indonesian Conservation Community (WARSI) said peatlands should not be viewed as empty spaces because they are landscapes where communities live, earn livelihoods and conduct economic activities.
He stressed that peatland management therefore needs to ensure long-term sustainability while recognizing the role of local communities.
Six Sustainability Pillars
The IMPLI exit strategy is built around six main sustainability pillars.
The first is governance and institutions, including the integration of RPPEG into regional development planning and stronger coordination among stakeholders.
The second focuses on peatland hydrology and ecosystem management, including the continued operation of canal-blocking infrastructure and water loggers, groundwater-level monitoring, fire prevention and the 3R approach of rewetting, revegetation and revitalization.
The third pillar concerns sustainable financing and blended finance, combining sources such as the state budget, regional budgets, village funds, corporate social responsibility and ESG financing, the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH), carbon economic value mechanisms and environmental service payments.
The fourth covers monitoring, data and technology, including continued operation of information systems and regular hydrological data updates as part of early-warning mechanisms.
The fifth focuses on community inclusion and markets for peat-friendly products through stronger TK-PPEG groups, community enterprises, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), Forest Farmers’ Business Groups (KUPS), GEDSI implementation and expanded buyer or offtaker networks.
The sixth pillar covers knowledge and replication, including documentation and replication of good practices and the Peatland Care Independent Village (DMPG) model in other peatland hydrological units and villages.
Strategies for Three Provinces
The post-project strategy has been tailored to the conditions of each province.
In Riau, the strategy will align IMPLI achievements with the province’s second RPPEG period for 2026–2030, strengthen links between RPPEG and the regional development plan, improve KHG-based water management, and expand market access and certification.
In Jambi, the strategy includes alignment with the first phase of the province’s RPPEG for 2024–2053, strengthening the Landscape Commitment Pact, sharing SiPPEG and SiMATAG data, developing environmental-service-based financing, and strengthening DMPG, BUMDes and KUPS institutions.
In South Sumatra, the strategy includes strengthening peatland protection and management initiatives, the Landscape Commitment Pact, climate and nature financing, tenure governance and markets for peat-friendly products.
As part of the project’s final phase, stakeholders signed the Post-Project IMPLI Landscape Commitment Pact for 2026–2029. The pact brings together central and local governments, villages, businesses, universities and community organizations to continue KHG-based peatland management.
“Let us continue the collaboration on the efforts that have been made to protect peatland ecosystems. We hope the commitment and cooperation built during the project can be maintained and strengthened in the future,” said IMPLI Project Manager Muhammad Askary.
Maintaining Progress Beyond 2026
The period from October 2026 to December 2029 has been established as the post-project roadmap horizon to ensure that IMPLI achievements remain operational.
The transition will include the handover of physical and digital assets, appointment of post-project focal points and preparation of a replication roadmap.
With IMPLI’s facilitation period ending in September 2026, the exit strategy is intended to move peatland management from project-based support toward greater self-sufficiency, allowing the knowledge, systems and practices developed through the project to continue through shared ownership and action at both landscape and local levels. (*)
