Improving Grant Management, Blue Abadi Fund Program, KEHATI Foundation Holds Training for BAF Grant Cycle 5 Partners in West Papua

Manokwari, PbP – In an effort to encourage more effective and sustainable community-based conservation program management in the Bird’s Head Seascape (BLKB) area, Blue Abadi Fund (BAF), in collaboration with the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation (KEHATI), held a Capacity Building for Primary & Innovation Grant Partners in Program and Financial Management for Grant Cycle 5, at Triton Hotel, Manokwari, West Papua Province.

The training, which took place from March 3–6, 2025, was attended by seven grant recipients from various regions in West Papua Province. This event was part of a series of capacity-building programs for partners that received funding in Grant Cycle 5, with the main objective to ensure program management is in line with regulations and to improve the transparency, accountability, and target-oriented governance of program and financial management.

The Acting Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries of West Papua Province, Jefrry Jech Verson Auparay, SH., MM., represented by Rahel Randa, M.Si, Head of the Conservation Section of DKP West Papua Province, opened the event and expressed appreciation to all parties involved in organizing the event, especially to the Blue Abadi Fund Program and KEHATI Foundation, as well as all the grant partners who remain committed to supporting the sustainable management of marine resources and the empowerment of coastal communities in West Papua.

“The Bird’s Head Seascape is a priority conservation area, not only at the national level but also globally. Therefore, maintaining its sustainability is a shared responsibility between the government, non-governmental organizations, academics, and indigenous communities who have been vital in preserving the ecosystem,” said Rahel Randa, representing the Acting Head of the Marine and Fisheries Department.

He further added that the grant funding through Blue Abadi Fund serves as an important instrument to ensure long-term, secure, and stable financial support for the sustainable management of the BLKB area.

“We hope that this capacity-building activity will be maximized by all grant recipients to enhance their ability to manage both programs and finances professionally, so that conservation activities can have a real impact on environmental sustainability and the well-being of the community,” he added.

Blue Abadi Fund is the first conservation trust fund in Indonesia specifically dedicated to supporting the sustainable management of the Bird’s Head Seascape. The BAF grant funds are distributed through two facilities: the Primary Grant and the Innovation Grant, which target local institutions to strengthen community involvement in the management of marine and fisheries resources.

In Grant Cycle 5, Blue Abadi Fund provided support to a total of 15 partners with funding reaching IDR 34.5 billion sourced from the BAF endowment fund. For the training held in Manokwari, participants came from grant partners in the West Papua region, including LPPM University of Papua (UNIPA), BLUD UPTD Kaimana KKP Management, Pokmaswas Nusa Matan Fakfak, Catholic Youth of Kaimana (OMK), Meos Papua Lestari Foundation (YMPL), Youth Group of Kobererei Uriemi Village, and Selaras Foundation.

Over four days of training, the participants received materials on Blue Abadi Fund governance, grant distribution mechanisms and cycles, as well as the preparation of program and financial reports according to applicable guidelines and standards. Additionally, the event included practical sessions on creating activity narrative reports, achievement matrices, and simulations of financial reports for grants.

This training is expected to be a key moment in enhancing the technical capacity of BAF’s partners in implementing community-based conservation programs. Furthermore, the event aims to strengthen the cooperation network among partners at the local level, allowing them to share experiences, strengthen synergies, and work together to maintain the sustainability of marine ecosystems in West Papua and Southwest Papua.

In closing his remarks, the Acting Head of the Department of Marine and Fisheries of West Papua Province hoped that this event would contribute significantly to supporting sustainable development in West Papua Province, in line with the mandate of Special Regional Regulation (Perdasus) Number 10 of 2019 on Sustainable Development in West Papua.

“May all activities run smoothly and benefit all partners, further strengthening our commitment to preserving marine and fisheries resources for future generations,” concluded Jefrry Auparay, as represented by the Head of the Conservation Section of DKP West Papua Province. [MPS]