Jakarta — Indonesia and Norway launched the fourth phase of the Community Environmental Fund (Small Grant) program, inviting public participation to support Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 target.
The fourth phase follows the third round of the small grant program, which was introduced in August 2025, the Ministry of Forestry said in a statement on Thursday, February 12. “Today, together with Minister Asmund Aukrust, I am proud to launch the fourth phase of the Community Environmental Fund,” Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said, while also expressing appreciation for Norway’s continued support.
The launch took place in Jakarta on Thursday during a meeting between the Forestry Minister and Norway’s Minister of International Development, Asmund Aukrust.
The Small Grant scheme is part of Indonesia’s effort to achieve its FOLU Net Sink 2030 target, supported by the Indonesia–Norway partnership through a Result-Based Contribution (RBC) mechanism. Under this scheme, Norway provides funding based on Indonesia’s verified success in reducing deforestation and emissions from the forestry and land-use sectors. The funds are channelled by the Ministry of Forestry through the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH).
Over the first three phases, the program has disbursed Rp19.31 billion to 561 community groups, benefiting 31,512 people across 36 provinces. The fund is designed to actively and inclusively involve communities in environmental conservation and climate resilience efforts. Beneficiaries include youth groups, social forestry communities, conservation activists, and other civil society organisations.
To date, Norway has contributed USD216 million in recognition of Indonesia’s achievements in reducing deforestation, underscoring what Aukrust described as a tangible joint commitment. He added that the fourth phase of the small grant program demonstrates the importance of ensuring that support reaches communities living closest to forests.
“We are very proud of the partnership and friendship with Indonesia. We come to listen, to learn, and to reaffirm that we are in this struggle together,” Minister Aukrust said.
For the fourth phase, proposal submissions are open from February 12 to 19, 2026, with a simplified online application process available at layanan-dana-masyarakat.bpdlh.id. Applicants can choose from three main themes: FOLU Goes to School, which focuses on youth engagement in environmental conservation; FOLU Terra, aimed at improving community welfare through environment-based activities; and FOLU Biodiversity, which supports biodiversity conservation efforts.
Through these themes, the Ministry of Forestry is encouraging broad public participation to advance climate mitigation efforts and strengthen Indonesia’s commitment to achieving the FOLU Net Sink 2030 target. (nsh)
Banner photo: Ministry of Forestry
