Introducing Aliansi Bumi Kita: Uniting Communities for Conservation and Resilience
By Pramudya Lazuardi
The tranquil coastline of Toli-Toli village
At Planet Indonesia, we believe that effective and lasting conservation begins with people who have been the guardians of their lands for generations. It starts with the communities whose traditions are interwoven with the forests, rivers, and oceans they call home. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Aliansi Bumi Kita (Our Earth Alliance), a dynamic coalition of grassroots organizations, Indigenous communities, and civil society groups across Indonesia, united by a shared mission of social and environmental transformation.
What is Aliansi Bumi Kita?
The Supervisory Board of Aliansi BUMI KITA posing in front of the alliance banner.
Aliansi Bumi Kita is a movement driven by one simple yet powerful idea: conservation must be inclusive and community-led. The alliance unites seven grassroots organizations across Indonesia, including Planet Indonesia, AKAR Global Initiative, Japesda, JARI, Toli-Toli Labengki Giant Clam Conservation (TLGC), and Indonesia Parrot Conservation. Each organization brings unique expertise, creating a robust network for tackling conservation challenges.
Aliansi Bumi Kita operates on the foundation that conservation must be driven by and for local communities. Guided by mutual learning and grounded in the communities we serve, each organization contributes its unique expertise, whether in coastal protection, forest conservation, or strengthening community-led initiatives. By blending diverse experiences, the alliance creates a cohesive approach that champions the voices of Indonesia’s rural and Indigenous communities.
A Community-First Approach to Conservation
Participants in the 2023 Aliansi BUMI KITA meeting engage in a discussion on aligning approaches to community-first conservation strategies.
At the heart of Aliansi Bumi Kita is the unwavering belief in the self-determination of local and Indigenous communities. We recognize that they are not just stakeholders; they are the original stewards of Indonesia's rich and diverse ecosystems. Their ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, is vital to the success of any conservation effort. By putting these communities in the lead, the alliance ensures that conservation goes beyond protecting nature; it becomes a way of life that safeguards culture, identity, and tradition.
By placing communities in the driver's seat, the alliance ensures that conservation isn’t just about protecting nature; it’s about uplifting people, particularly those whose lives are most closely tied to the health of our ecosystems.
Our approach is holistic, weaving together economic resilience, cultural integrity, and ecological sustainability. This means not only protecting the lands and waters but also uplifting the communities that sustain them, ensuring they have the autonomy, resources, and support to thrive on their own terms.
This philosophy is reflected in the alliance’s collective roadmap for 2024–2026, which focuses on three core objectives:
Strengthening Collective Action: By fostering knowledge exchange and joint program development, the alliance enhances each organization’s ability to learn, adapt, and innovate.
Consolidating Funding for Lasting Impact: Through co-designed funding proposals, members work collaboratively to secure resources needed to expand and support local projects.
Advancing Evidence-Based Community-Led Models: By developing robust systems for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, the alliance ensures its successes can be scaled to benefit more regions.
Why Aliansi Bumi Kita Matters
Protecting Indonesia’s Forests: A Model for Resilience and Inclusion
Indonesia’s ecosystems are treasures of global biodiversity, yet they are under unprecedented threat from deforestation, climate change, and unsustainable practices. Aliansi Bumi Kita addresses these challenges with a model that centers around equity, resilience, and inclusion.
By harnessing the power of local communities, Aliansi Bumi Kita shows that environmental conservation and human development are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are deeply interconnected. When communities thrive, nature thrives; when their voices are heard, the earth heals.
Our Shared Vision
Planet Indonesia is proud to collaborate with Aliansi Bumi Kita because we share a common vision for conservation, one that is driven by the needs, rights, and wisdom of local people. Together, we’re committed to:
A core model diagram of Aliansi BUMI KITA illustrating its vision
Strengthening Community Resilience: By providing the tools, resources, and capacity-building support needed to manage natural resources sustainably, we help communities secure both their future and the future of their ecosystems.
Championing Indigenous Knowledge and Rights: Indigenous communities are the original stewards of their lands. We believe in respecting their knowledge, traditions, and rights, ensuring that their voices guide conservation efforts.
Advocating for Systemic Change: True change comes when people are at the heart of policy. Aliansi Bumi Kita is committed to advocating for policies that protect both the environment and the rights of communities.
This vision is reinforced by the alliance’s governance model, finalized during the annual meeting. By electing Pramudya Lazuardi as Chair, Aliansi Bumi Kita demonstrated its commitment to transparent and inclusive leadership, ensuring that every member organization has an equal voice in shaping the alliance’s direction.
A Movement for the Future
Aliansi Bumi Kita is more than a coalition; it’s a movement built on shared trust and collaboration. The signing of a collective pledge at the 2024 Annual Meeting reaffirmed the alliance’s commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s landscapes, communities, and heritage.
The work of Aliansi Bumi Kita demonstrates that environmental conservation and human development are deeply interconnected. By building capacity, sharing knowledge, and empowering local leaders, the alliance ensures that when communities thrive, nature thrives, too.
A group discussion during the 2024 Aliansi BUMI KITA meeting, focusing on follow-up actions and strategic plans for 2025–2029
The launch of Aliansi Bumi Kita marks a pivotal moment in uniting communities across Indonesia in the fight for conservation and resilience.
Discover more about Aliansi Bumi Kita’s work at aliansibumikita.org/en. Join us in creating a future where communities and ecosystems flourish together.
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