Planet Indonesia Visits the United Nations to Receive the Equator Prize

September 14th, 2017 New York City, New York, United Nation’s Development Program.

Planet Indonesia has been named a winner of the 2017 UNDP’s Equator Initiative. 806 nominees from over 120 countries just 15 organizations have been awarded the prestigious Equator Initiative for advancing nature-based local solutions for sustainable development.

The world’s eight wealthiest people own the same amount of assets as 50% of the world’s poorest. Growing inequalities between communities and among governments are deepening at a global scale. This is only furthered by the negative impacts of climate change, growing world hunger, and lack of access to basic services that creates hardships for rural communities. Tied with this global trend is some of the highest levels of deforestation and species loss the world has ever seen. 

The Equator Initiative works with rural communities as an engine of ideas and solutions for nature-based sustainable development. They bring together governments, nations, civil society, businesses, and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and create resilient communities.

At Planet Indonesia, we utilize an innovative model that provides community-based services in three sectors: business, education, and healthcare*, in exchange for protecting and restoring some of the world’s most critical ecosystems. Although a young organization, by the end of 2017 we will have nearly 3000 households enrolled in our programs, planting over 40,000 seedlings on degraded lands, and protecting thousands of hectares of rainforest and mangrove forest.

“Yayasan Planet Indonesia has been taking bold steps from the beginning. We wanted to test our model in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. This can be seen in the launching of our coastal management program in 2016. We believe our model is both flexible and replicable, able to address a number of conservation issues in a number of ecosystems. This award represents our ability create results in a number of arenas.” – Novia Sagita, Country Director, Yayasan Planet Indonesia.

Winning the Equator Prize is a demonstration of Planet Indonesia’s innovative model and commitment to promoting human well-being through the protection of nature. Our model engages communities in sustainable resource use and provides important services that create strong resilient rural communities while saving some of the world’s most endangered species and ecosystems.

“We are so excited to be selected for this award, and feel it is a testament to our model’s ability to both catalyze conservation and promote human well-being.” – Adam Miller, Executive Director, Planet Indonesia – USA.

Planet Indonesia moves away from traditional economic incentives for conservation, rather we provide a variety of services that puts communities back in power of their own land, resources, and rights.

We believe in integrating a variety of sectors that builds strong resilient communities that exist in harmony with thriving vibrant ecosystems.

For more information about the equator prize please visit:
http://www.equatorinitiative.org/
 
*healthcare services set to launch in early 2018