The Human Resources Extension and Development Agency (BP2SDM) at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF), in conjunction with FORCLIME, held a blended online and offline focus group discussion (FGD) with the Heads of Forest Management Units (KPH) located throughout Indonesia on 6 August 2021 in order to evaluate the Young Forester Programme (Bakti Rimbawan). The FGD was held in order to:
1. Collect information about the implementation dynamics of the Bakti Rimbawan programme in the field;
2. Identify the achievements, impacts, challenges, constraints and exit strategy of the Bakti Rimbawan programme (including future schemes for forestry-related human resources for forest management units);
3. Compile collected inputs for the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and local governments regarding the future of Bakti Rimbawan participants who are now active in the field.

According to the Head of Planning, Development and Evaluation of Non-Apparatus HR at the MoEF, Dr Iwan Setiawan, one initiative that can be implemented while an exit strategy is being formulated for the Bakti Rimbawan programme involves provincial governments or the Regional Personnel Agency (BKD) proposing formations of technical personnel. “We ask the local government and BKD from each province to apply for positions as civil servants under special agreements (Pegawai Pemerintah dengan Perjanjian Kerja) or candidate civil servants (CPNS) in order to meet requirements for technical personnel. Several provinces, such as West Nusa Tenggara and West Java, have already proposed and some of the Bakti Rimbawan participants have been accepted as extension workers and as forest rangers (Polhut). Ultimately, we don't want any of the capacity that we have empowered so far to become depleted,” Dr Setiawan added.

In addition, in order to aid evaluation processes, an online survey was also conducted. The results of this online survey and the FGD will be drawn up, compiled and sent as input to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, as well as to local governments involved in the continuation of the Bakti Rimbawan Programme.

For further information, please contact:
Edy Marbyanto, Strategic area manager for human-capacity development
Wira Hakim, Junior adviser for human-capacity development