Manokwari West Papua, (November 25, 2025) - Blue Abadi Fund has officially opened the Cycle 6 Innovation Grant Program, a funding scheme designed to strengthen conservation efforts while simultaneously enhancing the capacity and well-being of Indigenous and local communities in the Bird's Head Seascape (BHS), West Papua and Southwest Papua. Details of the program were presented during a hybrid information session held in-person at the Multimedia Hall, 3rd Floor of the West Papua Governor's Office, and virtually on Tuesday, November 25, 2025.
As a conservation trust fund, BAF is dedicated to ensuring secure and sustainable long-term financing for the management of the Bird's Head Seascape (BHS). Its primary goal is to safeguard this 5.2-million-hectare ecosystem from degradation, while ensuring the area is managed by local guardians and continues to provide benefits to the communities living in harmony with the region.
The event was attended in person by West Papua Deputy Governor Mohamad Lakotani, SH. M.Si., who also serves as a member of the BAF Governance Committee; the Head of the West Papua Marine and Fisheries Agency; BAF Administrator representative Gita Gemilang; and BAF Science and Conservation Advisory Committee member Meity Mongdong. Over 90 participants attended the event, joining both virtually and in-person.
Officially opening the event, Deputy Governor Mohamad Lakotani stated that this is a significant opportunity for organizations in West Papua to develop their programs with funding support from the Blue Abadi Fund. "We certainly hope that through this information session, the enthusiasm of the community—especially individuals, organizations, and communities passionate about environmental preservation—will lead them to seize this grant opportunity from BAF. We all hope that in the future, our nature in Papua will remain preserved for our children and grandchildren. Through this BAF funding support scheme, every organization will have a greater opportunity to develop sustainable environmental programs," he concluded.
The socialization session for the BAF Cycle 6 Grant Program proceeded smoothly and interactively, marked by lively discussions between participants and presenters. During the event, participants actively asked questions, shared field experiences, and discussed opportunities and challenges regarding proposal submissions. The responses provided by the BAF team were comprehensive and constructive, creating a productive two-way dialogue that enriched participants' understanding of the selection process, funding criteria, and program priorities. This dynamic interaction not only clarified various technical aspects but also strengthened the spirit of collaboration in supporting conservation efforts in the Bird's Head Seascape.
One participant from the organization Dinamika Alam Nusantara (DIANTARA), Rens Lewerisa, expressed hope that this BAF grant funding opportunity would reach a wider range of groups without limitations on accessing either the Small Innovation Grant or Medium Innovation Grant, noting that many organizations in Papua already possess the capacity to run conservation programs professionally and measurably.
The grant program is open to various institutions working in the BHS, including Papuan civil society organizations (CSOs), non-profits, community groups, religious organizations, cooperatives, customary councils, and university research institutions. All proposals must align with the BAF Strategic Plan 2023–2028, with a program implementation period ranging from April 2026 to March 2027. Two funding categories are available in this cycle, Small-Scale Innovation Grants, support up to IDR 155 million per institution and Medium-Scale Innovation Grants, support up to IDR 250 million per institution. Proposals must be drafted using the BAF Proposal Form, accessible via the official link, https://bit.ly/INOVASI-BAF-6. https://bit.ly/INOVASI-BAF-6.
The use of BAF Grant Program funds for Innovation partners will be prioritized for the implementation of the BAF Strategic Plan 2023-2028 as follows:
Strategy 1: Support the continuity and improved management of up to 5.2 million hectares of Marine Protected Area (MPA) networks in the Bird's Head Seascape (BHS) waters.
Strategy 2: Socially, politically, and economically support and learn from Papuan Indigenous and local communities who act as guardians of the Bird's Head Seascape environment.
Strategy 3: Increase endowment fund capacity and BAF grant disbursement to enhance opportunities for conservation, sustainability, and locally-based community development.
Institutions interested in submitting a proposal for the BAF Cycle 6 Innovation Grant Program can contact +62 812 4795 6293 or email to hibah.baf@kehati.or.id for further information. The deadline for proposal submission, along with required documents, is Wednesday, December 24, 2025 via email to hibah.baf@kehati.or.idwith subject line: (1). “Proposal Inovasi BAF 6 (Institution Name/Inovasi Kecil)”, or (2). “Proposal Inovasi BAF 6 (Institution Name/Inovasi Menengah)”, Each institution is only permitted to choose one of the two grant models mentioned above. All submitted proposals will be evaluated by a professional Assessment Team. Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be processed for assessment.
David Kuntel, Team Leader of the Blue Abadi Fund, conveyed his hopes regarding the launch of the Cycle 6 Innovation Grant Program. "The Bird's Head Seascape is one of the world's most important centers of marine biodiversity. Through this grant program, we hope to strengthen long-term commitments to collaboratively protect conservation areas alongside Papuan Indigenous and local communities. They are the true guardians of this region. By supporting local innovation, we aim to ensure that conservation efforts not only protect ecosystems but also improve the well-being and capacity of the communities living side-by-side with nature. The future of the BHS will be stronger if managed by the people who understand and love this region the most," he explained.
