Ashden Awards ASRI Grant to Expand Forest Protection and Community Well-being Programs in Indonesia
Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI), the Indonesian affiliate of Health In Harmony, is pleased to announce it has received more than $30,000 in funding through Ashden’s Thriving Forests program. This initiative, supported by the Nature Recovery Project, aims to protect or restore one million hectares of forest across Africa, Asia, and South America, creating a critical defense against climate change.
The grant will enhance ASRI’s reforestation efforts, improve community livelihoods, and support organizational development. This funding will help ASRI scale its proven model of integrating environmental and community health, broadening its impact in areas that need it most.
“This recognition affirms the impact of ASRI’s proven model for driving meaningful change,” said Ekoningtyas Margu Wardani, ASRI’s Executive Director. “With this support, we will expand our work with local communities, protect and restore vital forests, and extend our impact to even more biodiversity hotspots. This will strengthen our foundation as we continue building a healthier, more resilient environment for future generations.”
The Ashden funding will directly support ASRI’s mission by:
Strengthening Reforestation Efforts: Enhancing nurseries and reforestation infrastructure in Gunung Palung National Park with improvements such as lightning protection, flood mitigation measures, and safe facilities for community workers.
Introducing Cutting-edge Monitoring Technology: Deploying drones, biomonitoring devices, and satellite technology to track biodiversity recovery and the impact of reforestation activities.
Organizational Development and Communication Support: Expanding ASRI’s online presence, crowdfunding capabilities, and access to philanthropic networks to amplify its impact and attract additional funding.
Ecotourism Expansion: Promoting ASRI’s Planetary Health Exchange program to universities and organizations worldwide, raising awareness and generating revenue for conservation projects.
ASRI joins an impressive cohort of international organizations in the Thriving Forests program, including Forêt Pour le Développement Intégral, Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch, and Nsombou Abalghe-Dzal Association.
For more than 15 years, ASRI has operated near Gunung Palung National Park in West Kalimantan, home to 5-10% of the world’s remaining orangutans and a vital watershed supporting over 60,000 people. Through its programs, ASRI has achieved an 82% reduction in illegal logging from 2007 to 2022, demonstrating the power of community-led conservation efforts.
Ashden CEO Dr. Ashok Sinha emphasized the importance of the initiative. “Forests are on the frontline of our defense against climate change. We know that forest communities have the knowledge and motivation to protect their land, but often lack the resources and connections to do so,” said Dr. Sinha. “That’s why Thriving Forests will support outstanding organizations that work hand-in-hand with local people, growing their incomes and helping them protect these vital ecosystems on behalf of all of us. Our ambitious Thriving Forests program will bring immediate support to frontline organizations, but also set them on the path to winning further funding.”
About Ashden
In the Global South, Ashden accelerates transformative climate solutions to build a more just world. It creates impact through awards, programs, and campaigns. Ashden supports work bringing clean, affordable energy to those living without it – from rural villages to refugee camps. The organization also empowers threatened Indigenous communities to deliver natural climate solutions. It has a strategic focus on green jobs, skills, and livelihoods.