Norway backs Indonesia’s climate action with expanded community grant scheme

Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni on Saturday received a visit from Norway’s Minister of International Development, Asmund Aukrust, during which the two countries officially launched the fourth round of the Community Funding Service for the Environment (Small Grant).

The program continues the third round of Small Grants, which was introduced in August 2025.

“Together with Minister Asmund Aukrust, I am proud to launch the Community Funding Service for the Environment, which has now entered its fourth period,” Raja Antoni said on Saturday (Feb. 14, 2026).

The Small Grant scheme is one of the funding instruments designed to support Indonesia’s Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 target, backed by Indonesia–Norway cooperation through a Result-Based Contribution mechanism.

The funds are disbursed by the Forestry Ministry through the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH).

“On behalf of the Government of Indonesia, we extend our deepest appreciation to the Government of Norway for the strong cooperation to date through the result-based contribution mechanism,” the minister said.

Raja Antoni also underscored that climate change and global warming are real challenges, while the window for mitigation is narrowing—making partnerships such as this increasingly important to strengthen.

Across its first three implementation periods, the program has distributed a total of Rp 19.31 billion to 561 community groups, benefiting 31,512 recipients across 36 provinces.

Funding instrument

The Community Funding Service for the Environment was developed as a financing instrument to actively and inclusively engage communities in environmental protection and climate resilience efforts.

Beneficiaries include a wide range of civil society groups, from youth communities and social forestry groups to conservation and nature protection advocates.

Aukrust, speaking at the launch, praised Indonesia’s commitment to involving communities in climate action and noted that climate change is the most global crisis the world faces.

“No single country can solve it alone. That is why partnerships like the one between Norway and Indonesia are so important,” he said.

To date, Norway has contributed $216$ million US dollars in recognition of Indonesia’s achievements in reducing deforestation, signaling tangible shared commitment.

Support must reach communities

Aukrust said the fourth phase of the small grant program also reflects a key principle: support must reach communities living closest to forests.

“We are proud of the partnership and friendship with Indonesia. We have come to listen, to learn, and to reaffirm that we are in this struggle together,” he said.

For the fourth period, submissions are open from Feb. 12 to Feb. 19, 2026, with a registration process designed to be more accessible. Communities can submit proposals online at layanan-dana-masyarakat.bpdlh.id, which will then be processed according to the applicable mechanism.

In this round, applicants may choose one of three main themes. First, FOLU Goes to School, which focuses on engaging young people in environmental protection. Second, FOLU Terra, which aims to improve community welfare through environment-based activities. Third, FOLU Biodiversity, which supports biodiversity conservation efforts.

Through these three themes, the Forestry Ministry is opening broad public participation to collaborate in supporting climate change mitigation, while reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to achieving the FOLU Net Sink 2030 target.

Indonesianpost.com | Liputan6