On Tuesday, 26 February, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) board formally approved its US$4.5 million co-funding for the new Sustainable Forest and Biodiversity Management program in the Heart of Borneo.

 

This funding is part of a program that was approved by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council in November 2012. In addition to the ADB’s US$4.5m, the GEF will provide US$2.5m, the Government of Indonesia US$0.5m and WWF US$2m. The GEF program is an example of the power of collaboration with public sector partners, which has resulted in several new funding mechanisms directed at the Heart of Borneo program.

 

An additional US$2m for social development and community empowerment from the Japan Fund for Poverty Alleviation, and up to US$19.5m from the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) in Indonesia.

 

In total a potential investment of around US$30.5m for forest conservation and green growth interventions in the HoB. The programs are designed to ensure the sustainable management of forest resources and biodiversity in the Indonesian portion of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) through direct engagement with governments, communities and private sector companies.

By reducing pressure on forests and promoting sustainable and equitable forest and land management, the project will help reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions, with potential co-benefits in the form of poverty reduction, improved quality of life for the indigenous peoples and local communities, protection of local peoples’ rights, and enhanced conservation of biodiversity and other ecosystem services.

 

Through its unique partnership, WWF and ADB have been nurturing the development and design of new programs to support the transition of the HoB towards a green economy. The project will be structured around the following components: