Hutan Harapan: Supporting the sustainability of the first Ecosystem Restoration Concession in Indonesia

Some 20 percent of the remaining lowland rainforest in Sumatra lies within the Hutan Harapan region, one of the world’s most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems. Ecosystem Restoration Concessions (ERCs) have been established here thanks to support provided by IKI. Harapan is viewed as a model for other ERCs and for Indonesian ERC policy in general. The project is supporting the sustainable management of the Harapan ERC and its long-term financial security. Activities are working to reduce forest loss, and to maintain and restore the region’s unique biodiversity and ecosystem functions. This, in turn, protects the habitats of animal species threatened by extinction such as the Sumatran tiger. The project is helping to curb illegal land seizures, secure support for local communities and develop sustainable business practices. The project is also supporting efforts by Indonesian partners to implement strategies aimed at conserving tropical forests and improving the ERC model.

Project data

Countries: Indonesia
IKI funding: 7,000,000.00 €
Duration: 06/2019 till 12/2026
Status: open
Implementing organisation: KfW Entwicklungsbank
Political Partner: Forestry Service of Jambi Province

Ministry of Environment and Forestry - lndonesia
Implementing Partner: Burung Indonesia

Indonesian Forest Ecosystem Conservation Foundation (Yayasan KEHI)

Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU)

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

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State of implementation/results

The project contributes to a significant reduction in annual deforestation through the protection zone in Hutan Harapan. To date, the forest cover is at least 67,100 ha.
Active support for indigenous groups such as the “Batin Sembilan” on the basis of agreements on the sustainable use of resources. To date, over half of the Batin Sembilan families have signed Community Resource Management Agreements (CRMA). These agreements actively involve the local population and their social and economic needs in the project. Rights and obligations regarding land use are jointly defined, which contributes to the ecologically, economically and socially sustainable management of the ERC area and at the same time prevents illegal land grabbing.
For improved ERC management and monitoring a biodiversity monitoring plan was developed within the project. The plan is currently being implemented. Forest monitoring was developed through the data collection and CyberTracker SMART. Six Batin Sembilan Community Guard groups, trained in the CT SMART monitoring methodology, have been established to conduct patrols based on the CT-SMART grid system in the northern area.
Hutan Harapan management is diversifying its revenue sources to support financial sustainability. For example, non-timber forest products (NTFP) are used to generate additional income.
Within the project, national, international and local knowledge transfer of lessons learned on forest restoration took place. In this regard, promotional and educational activities were carried out in schools, universities and the general public. A total of 41 articles about Hutan Harapan were also published in the local and national press in 2023. Posts on social media on the topic of forest restoration are updated daily.

Latest Update:
12/2025