In order to inaugurate activities in the supported village of Babrongko, Jayapura Regency, Papua, the Papua Provincial Forestry and Environment Service (Dinas KLH), in conjunction with FORCLIME, held an event on 21 May 2022 aimed at the dissemination of information about the joint work programmes that will be undertaken within the village.

The event was organised in line with the principle of Free, Prior Informed Consent (FPIC). Through this approach, information was clearly communicated to the community from the earliest possible stage as regards the implementation of programmes aimed at offering support for the development of forest farmer groups, with a particular focus on community capacity building. The event saw involvement from interested parties in the village, including traditional leaders (Ondofolo and tribal chiefs), the village government, women’s leaders and forest farmer groups. This outreach activity also saw participation from the Head of the Papua Province Forestry and Environment Service, Mr. Jan Jap L. Ormuseray.

The dissemination event represented the first stage towards securing approval from the community and other related parties and aimed to ensure that the community was presented with comprehensive information on the various programmes that will be implemented. Through this process, local communities can give voice to their opinions and ultimately decide whether to accept or reject certain initiatives and programmes.

In his speech, the Head of the Provincial Forestry and Environmental Service (Dinas KLH) explained that the FPIC process was being implemented in order to respect the rights of customary peoples as partners of the Dinas KLH in programmes that are being supported by FORCLIME.

"FORCLIME formulates concepts and efforts aimed at increasing community capacity and initiates programmes by considering the potential of the relevant community before it addresses any new programmes," explained the traditional leader of Babrongko village, Ramses Wally, after listening to the explanation presented by Dinas KLH and FORCLIME.

The agroforestry women's group also expressed its support for FORCLIME programmes and its hope that capacity-building activities will take existing women's groups into account so that they will also be able to increase their capacities in relation to the management of NTFPs.

During the event, the selected community facilitator for and citizen of the village of Babrongko, Mr Septinus Wally, was also introduced.

A follow-up FGD to this event has been planned and will be attended by Babrongko’s forest farmer groups.

For more information, please contact:
Theodora F. Resubun, Advisor for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua Province
Mohammad Sidiq, Strategic Area Manager for Sustainable Forest Management and Coordinator for Papua and West Papua Provinces