NbS Update: FINCAPES’ Journey for Mangrove Restoration and Community Empowerment
Through its focus on nature-based solutions (NbS), the FINCAPES Project, in collaboration with IPB University, supports the rejuvenation of mangrove forests and nurtures the socio-economic aspects of the local communities in Purworejo Village, East Lampung. The vision of the FINCAPES Project is to harmonize ecological restoration with socio-economic upliftment. The project aims to strengthen the institutional and business ecosystems of Forest Farmer Groups, ensuring they can sustain and support the mangrove ecosystems they rely on.
Recently, a comprehensive survey was conducted to gauge the progress and impact of the efforts made so far by the local communities and government in restoring mangrove ecosystem in East Lampung area. The survey aims at identifying the ongoing advancements, potential for future improvement, and the challenges faced along the way.
Significant progress has been made in Purworejo Village through the efforts of the Mutiara Hijau forest farmers group. Formed in 2011, this group has embarked on rehabilitating 25 hectares of mangroves with support from the Forest Management Unit of the Forestry Office. With 40 members, including 25 men and 15 women, they have built a robust business ecosystem centered around mangrove planting, nurseries, and conservation coordination with other forest farmer groups. Their dedication is clear, but they also grapple with issues such as unclear task distribution and limited human resources. Looking ahead, Mutiara Hijau envisions expanding into mangrove ecotourism, establishing research homestays for students and faculty, and developing business products derived from natural products in mangrove forests such as shrimp paste.
The team also examined another village that successfully managed its mangrove area. The Bina Jaya forest farmer group has set a remarkable example of community-driven conservation. Through a strategic partnership with the private sector, the group secured a cooperation contract running from 2020 to 2025. With 15 dedicated members, although currently without female participation, Bina Jaya has focused on activities like mangrove ecotourism, shellfish farming, and culinary ventures featuring local delicacies such as Otak-otak and Pisang Hijau.
The group's strengths are evident in their well-maintained facilities and clear task distribution. However, they face challenges in marketing capacity and management skills, along with a lack of resources for ongoing maintenance. Despite these hurdles, they continue to promote mangrove education and partnerships with local schools, aiming to strengthen their ecotourism offerings.
The survey also gained valuable insights from the community of Pantai Mutiara Baru. In 2018, the community took the initiative to develop a self-sustained tourism area. Utilizing local land for beach kiosks, they created a well-structured management system involving 210 workers. This initiative not only brought economic benefits, with an average income of 100 million, but also fostered a culture of revenue sharing, with profits reinvested into program development and community welfare.
Their strengths lie in a solid institutional structure and profitable business operations. Future plans include expanding beach tourism and introducing mangrove edutourism, demonstrating their commitment to continuous growth and community engagement.
From the focus group discussions, a clear message emerged: there is a need for institutional strengthening across all forest farmer groups. Establishing forums for coordination and communication among farmer group leaders, providing marketing training focused on branding and promotion, and developing special interest tourism such as mangrove education and fishing tourism were identified as critical steps forward. The discussions also highlighted the potential for products like shrimp paste and shrimp crackers, underscoring the importance of innovative business ventures.
Discussions with local government officials further reinforced the need for collaboration. By developing new champions for ecotourism and providing targeted training in the packaging and branding of mangrove products, the project aims to elevate the marketing capabilities of the farmer groups.
The journey of the FINCAPES Project showcases the power of community-driven conservation. Through strategic partnerships, innovative business models, and a strong commitment to sustainability, the project is not only restoring mangrove ecosystems but also empowering local communities to thrive.