IN THIS MOMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS, INDONESIA IS GROUND ZERO.
The archipelago of over 17,000 islands is especially susceptible to climate change: rising sea levels, extreme weather, and erosion jeopardize the lives and livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people living in densely populated coastal areas, and the effects of frequent and destructive storms are compounded by prolonged drought. Women in Indonesia experience the brunt of climate disruptions and are therefore best suited to lead in designing solutions. Yet they are governed by strict, patriarchal laws that limit their access to resources and create barriers to their participation in decision-making. In much of the country, women are restricted from owning land or using ancestral forests for farming or other economic livelihoods.
In response, WEA and our Indonesia Program Leads provide training, mentorship, and financing activities to women leaders to restore degraded forests, employ community members in forest-friendly eco-enterprises, and innovate sustainable waste management projects to protect communities and water sources.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
From 2001 to 2022, Indonesia lost 29.4 million hectares of tree cover, contributing to an 18% decrease in tree cover since 2000 and 21.1 Gt of CO₂e emissions.
Deforestation and illegal logging has caused increased flooding, displacement of forest communities, and exploitation of women and girls throughout Indonesia.
More than 2,000 of Indonesia's islands may be submerged by rising sea levels by 2030.
Eco-Entrepreneurship: Growing women-led eco-enterprises that protect and restore ecosystems, increase income, improve health, and strengthen women’s leadership and wellbeing.
Forest Conservation: Supporting holistic forest restoration and protection that focuses on regenerating depleted tropical forests, empowers local communities, and sequesters carbon.
Climate Resilience: Strengthening community climate resilience through trainings and adoption of climate-smart technologies.
INDONESIA PROGRAM LEADS
WEA and Balwana Bumi Lestari Foundation strengthen women’s eco-entrepreneurship and forest cooperatives in Kebumen. Tamanu harvesters gain training, tools, and sustainable processing methods, while building financial and leadership skills—advancing women’s income, community wellbeing, and forest-based livelihoods rooted in conservation and care.
Balwana Bumi Lestari Foundation (Sinergi Natural )
Through tamanu-based agroforestry and eco-enterprise, WEA and CMC Tiga Warna strengthen women’s livelihoods and grassroots conservation in Malang. Community-led efforts are restoring mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal forests, while advancing women’s entrepreneurship, sustainable ecotourism, and thriving local economies.
Bhakti Alam Sendang Biru Foundation (Clungup Mangrove Conservation Tiga Warna )
In Central Kalimantan, WEA, Himba Raya Indonesia Foundation, and the Dayak community are protecting forests from palm oil expansion, restoring degraded peatlands, and strengthening food resilience through native tree planting. Women leaders and youth drive community-led conservation, forest management, and climate resilience across the region.
Himba Raya Indonesia Foundation
WEA and Katahati Institute support women entrepreneurs in Aceh to build forest-based businesses, advocate for Indigenous land rights, and shape development plans through a feminist livelihood agenda. Together, this partnership protects the Leuser Ecosystem, strengthens economic agency, and advances women-led, community-driven solutions.
Katahati Institute
WEA and Kopernik’s Wonder Women Program supports women micro-entrepreneurs in East Java, South Central Timor, and Bali to grow their businesses, access new markets, and adopt sustainable practices—strengthening women’s leadership, community resilience, and inclusive, green economies across Indonesia.
Kopernik
