Manokwari, West Papua, June 2026 – Blue Abadi Fund (BAF) conducted a Program and Financial Management Capacity-Building Training for recipients of the Sixth Cycle Innovation Grants. The training brought together nine participants representing five grantee organizations that will implement a range of conservation initiatives across the Bird’s Head Seascape (BHS), Papua.
The activity engaged six newly selected partners from West Papua under the Sixth Cycle Innovation Grants. The training forms an important part of Blue Abadi Fund’s commitment to ensuring that all grant recipients have a strong understanding of program governance and financial management practices that are accountable, transparent, and aligned with established standards. By strengthening organizational capacity, BAF aims to ensure that all projects supported through the Sixth Innovation Grant Cycle are implemented effectively and generate meaningful impacts for marine conservation and community empowerment within their respective areas of work.
The event was attended by representatives from the West Papua Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, who provided guidance and encouragement to the new grantees as they begin implementing sustainable conservation initiatives in their communities.
Ensuring Effective and Impactful Grant Management
Team Leader Blue Abadi Fund, David Kuntel, dalam sambutannya menegaskan bahwa keberhasilan sebuah program konservasi tidak hanya ditentukan oleh kualitas gagasan atau kegiatan di lapangan, tetapi juga oleh kemampuan organisasi dalam mengelola program dan sumber daya yang dipercayakan kepada mereka.
“Blue Abadi Fund does not only provide financial support; we are equally committed to strengthening the capacity of our partners so they can manage programs professionally, transparently, and sustainably. We hope all Sixth Cycle grant recipients will take full advantage of this opportunity to build strong organizational foundations, enabling conservation impacts to be felt more broadly and over the long term throughout the Bird’s Head Seascape.”
According to David, capacity strengthening is a critical investment that helps partners improve program implementation, reporting accountability, partnership development, and the long-term sustainability of their initiatives.
Government Support for Strengthening Conservation Partners
Jefry Heumasse, Head of the Marine Spatial Management and Marine and Fisheries Resources Monitoring Division at the West Papua Provincial Marine and Fisheries Agency, expressed his appreciation for Blue Abadi Fund’s efforts in supporting local organizations working in marine conservation.
“We view capacity-building initiatives such as this as a strategic step toward ensuring that conservation programs implemented by communities and local organizations can be carried out effectively and in line with the goals of sustainable marine resource management. The provincial government strongly supports collaboration between Blue Abadi Fund and its partners in protecting marine ecosystems, which are invaluable assets for both West Papua and Indonesia.”
He further noted that the successful management of marine protected areas and coastal resources requires strong collaboration among government institutions, local communities, conservation organizations, and other stakeholders.
Partners Better Prepared to Implement Their Programs
Representing the training participants, Fauzan Jumad Bauw from Pokmaswas Nusa Matan shared that the training provided valuable knowledge for grant recipients, particularly in managing programs and financial administration in a more systematic manner.
“This training has helped us better understand key aspects of grant management, from activity planning and reporting to sound financial administration. This knowledge is essential to ensure that the programs we implement generate maximum benefits for local communities while supporting the protection of marine resources in our region.”
According to Fauzan, the capacity-building support will help grantee organizations become more confident in implementing their programs and ensuring accountability for every activity they undertake.
Building the Future of the Bird’s Head Seascape
As one of the sustainable financing mechanisms supporting marine conservation in the Bird’s Head Seascape, Blue Abadi Fund continues to foster innovative initiatives led by local communities, civil society organizations, and natural resource management groups.
Through this capacity-building program for Sixth Cycle Innovation Grant recipients, Blue Abadi Fund aims to equip partners with the skills and systems needed to effectively implement their projects, strengthen organizational governance, and deliver lasting conservation benefits for marine ecosystems and coastal communities throughout the Bird’s Head Seascape.
With stronger institutional capacity, these partners are expected not only to successfully implement their current projects, but also to become conservation leaders who inspire and expand sustainable marine resource management practices across Papua and Indonesia.
