FSC Remedy Forum in Jakarta: Reflections on sacred balance between Forests and People

The FSC System Integrity Unit convened the Asia Pacific Remedy Forum in Jakarta, uniting diverse stakeholders to advance understanding of the FSC Remedy Framework.

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The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – System Integrity Unit hosted the Asia Pacific Remedy Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, bringing together rights holders, Indigenous leaders, NGOs, companies, researchers, and government representatives to deepen understanding and engagement around the FSC Remedy Framework.

What is the FSC Remedy Framework?

The FSC Remedy Framework is a standardized system that guides how companies must address past environmental and social harms linked to forest conversion.

It promotes restoration through social and environmental remedy, ensures transparency in how FSC deals with non-conforming companies, and provides fair roadmaps for remedy. Its ultimate goal is to restore forests and communities, improve the integrity of the FSC certification scheme, and establish measurable conditions for potentially ending disassociation and rebuilding trust.

A New Chapter for Remedy

Since its entry into force on July 1, 2023, the FSC Remedy Framework has aimed to address social and environmental harms resulting from forestry operations. Indonesia, as the pilot setting for implementation, provided a vital case study on opportunities and challenges. The Jakarta forum served not only as a platform for consultation but also as a space for healing, dialogue, and reconciliation; highlighting the positive potential of remedy to restore forest ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and provide redress for affected communities.

Voices from the Forum

Representing the FSC Indigenous Foundation, Nicholas Mujah (FSC-IF Council Member), Praful Lakra (FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee PIPC Co-chair, Asia region), Minnie Degawan (FSC-IF Managing Director), and Dian Intarini (Indigenous Peoples Global Manager for Forestry and Certification) actively participated in the Jakarta Remedy Forum, bringing diverse perspectives from leadership, governance, and community engagement.

During the forum, attendees expressed that if rights are misunderstood, overlooked, or only superficially acknowledged, remedies risk becoming merely symbolic and may reproduce harm rather than repair it. Nicholas underscored this point, reminding participants how critical it is to understand right holders’ rights within the Forest Stewardship system.

Furthermore, Praful shared insights from his region, India, stressing the need to integrate Indigenous knowledge into the process and drawing lessons from the remedy of mining there. As Co-Chair of the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC), Praful’s participation carried particular significance. Together with Marchus Colchester (FSC Board of directors and PIPC Liaison), who also engaged in the forum, their presence highlighted the importance of ensuring Indigenous perspectives are consistently heard in FSC processes. Having PIPC represented at the event created a valuable space for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and reflection that can help strengthen decision-making at the global level.

From left to right: Praful Lakra (PIPC Co-chair, Asia region), Marchus Colchester (FSC BoD), Nicholas Mujah (FSC-IF Council member), Dian Intarini (Indigenous Peoples Global Manager for Forestry and Certification)

From left to right: Isnadi from Riau, Kuspawansyah from East Kalimantan, Nicholas Mujah (FSC-IF Council member) and Minnie Degawan (FSC-IF Managing Director)

Moreover, Minnie reminded participants that for Indigenous Peoples, remedy is not a checklist of consultations or activities, but about restoring balance and safeguarding relationships: with the land, communities, and the unseen.

“Forests are our relatives,” she said. “They are the resting places of our ancestors, where we bury our children’s umbilical cords to connect them to Mother Earth. To sustain the forest is to sustain the Earth and the community. Remedy, for us, means restoring that sacred balance.”

Minnie stressed the need for clearer communication on what the Remedy Framework is, and what it is not. She emphasized that without this clarity, communities risk false expectations and further harm.

At the heart of her message was the call to reframe Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a process of relationship-building rather than a procedural step, reminding participants that consent is rooted in trust, equity, and mutual understanding.

Finally, Dian Intarini suggested that remedy actions should be aligned with national policies on community empowerment and land rights, for example Indonesia’s Village Law, to support the long-term sustainability of these actions.

Key Observations

Over three days, the agenda moved from exploring solutions for accelerating remedies, to presentations on social and cultural healing in unresolved conflicts, to a closed meeting with rights holders reflecting on their concerns and expectations.

The forum succeeded in fostering open, constructive dialogue, though it also revealed a disconnect in how stakeholders understood the framework and highlighted tensions between Indigenous Peoples and migrant/transmigrant communities that require sensitive approaches. Amid these dynamics, the FSC Indigenous Foundation emerged as a trusted, neutral facilitator and willing to continually support the process.

Looking Forward

As the FSC Remedy Framework continues to take shape, the lessons from the Jakarta forum remind us that remedy must be intentional, inclusive, and rooted in respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and worldviews.

The work ahead will not be easy, but as Minnie emphasized: “We have survived genocide and colonization by moving thoughtfully and carefully. Let us not rush, but ensure that remedy truly heals.”

Brewing a Future: Daniel Maches and Jaymar Garcia’s Journey to economic sustainability rooted in Indigenous knowledge

How Two Indigenous Youth Are Cultivating Culture and Sustainability

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Forests regulate our climate, clean the air we breathe, and sustain the biodiversity that makes life possible. Yet every year, more than 12 million hectares of forests are lost to destructive practices.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF), together with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), works alongside Indigenous Peoples to protect forests and strengthen Indigenous-led nature solutions. At the heart of this vision are Indigenous youth like Daniel and Jaymar, who are carrying ancestral wisdom into the future.

How Two Indigenous Youth Are Cultivating Culture and Sustainability

On the forested slopes of Benguet in the Philippines, two young Indigenous entrepreneurs are proving that business can be both an act of cultural preservation and environmental stewardship. Daniel Jason Maches, of the ILias tribe, and Jaymar Garcia, from the Ibaloi, Kankanaey, and Kalanguya tribes, co-founded Banolmi Store PH to showcase forest-grown coffee and traditional cuisine rooted in ancestral knowledge.

For Daniel and Jaymar, entrepreneurship is not just about profit; it is about worth. In their language, Banolmi means “our worth,” symbolizing the heritage of mountains, rivers, rice terraces, and forests passed down by their ancestors “Our forests are life,” Daniel explains. “They give us water, food, and identity. Protecting them is not only survival: it’s honoring our ancestors.”

Their work challenges the dominance of extractive industries by offering sustainable livelihoods that restore biodiversity instead of depleting it. Through agro-ecological farming, they are reviving heirloom rice and native seeds, creating a seed bank for the future, and transforming coffee farming into a tool for conservation. Jaymar reflects, “Food is culture. When we save our Indigenous cuisine, we also save the native species that sustain our people.”

Beyond farming, Banolmi Store PH has become a seed bank of cultural memory, preserving flavors and practices that risk being lost. The impact extends to their community: families now look to coffee and native foods as sustainable sources of income, while traditional cuisine is gaining new recognition as both cultural identity and a tool for biodiversity conservation.

The journey has not been without risks. From navigating family obligations to facing red-tagging during their advocacy, Daniel and Jaymar have demonstrated leadership with courage, finding non-confrontational ways to defend their forests while building community trust.

Looking ahead, Daniel and Jaymar’s dream

These Indigenous entrepreneurs dream of expanding Banolmi into a model that can be replicated in other communities, showing that Indigenous-led enterprises are both viable and transformative. They envision not only coffee farms, but entire agroforestry systems that provide food, restore forests, and sustain cultural traditions.

To achieve this, they hope to build partnerships with organizations, businesses, and individuals who share their vision and collaborators who can help open markets, provide resources, and amplify their message. “Our goal is to show that Indigenous foods and products are not just heritage, they are the future,” Jaymar says.

On this World Entrepreneurs Day, Daniel and Jaymar’s story reminds us that Indigenous knowledge is innovation. Their venture is not only brewing coffee: it is cultivating a future where culture, community, and conservation thrive together.

From the Ground to the Global Stage: Indigenous Women Prepare for COP30

A regional training co-organized by DGM Global, Conservation International, and the FSC Indigenous Foundation during Panama Climate Week 2025

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During Panama Climate Week 2025, a powerful gathering of Indigenous women leaders from across Latin America took place. The Capacity Building Workshop for Indigenous Women to Advocate in Climate and Biodiversity Negotiations—organized by the Dedicated Grant Mechanism (DGM), Conservation International, and the FSC Indigenous Foundation—created a space for dialogue, learning, and collective action. Participants from Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Brazil, and Guatemala came together to strengthen their technical skills, exchange experiences, and deepen their impact on global environmental governance. Whether already engaged in national advocacy or beginning their journey, they shared a common commitment: advancing Indigenous leadership in climate and biodiversity negotiations.

Reflections of Indigenous Women Leaders

Learning emerges not only through technical knowledge but also through intergenerational dialogue and the revitalization of ancestral wisdom. During the workshop, participants shared several reflections:

The COP began 33 years ago, but the commitments established have not progressed significantly over the past three decades. It was observed that many decisions remain concentrated in the hands of governments, and that it is necessary to integrate ancestral knowledge into climate policies to ensure progress that is both sustainable and collective.

Participants also recognized the complexity of climate issues and noted that these are often not communicated in ways that are accessible to communities. They called for technical concepts to be translated into more understandable formats so that communities can engage with them within their own contexts. Although these issues may seem new in international forums, they have long existed within Indigenous peoples’ ancestral practices, worldviews, and values.

“These issues are not new to us. What we need is for our way of naming them to be recognized,” mentioned one participant.

Young People Leading the Way

The new generations of Indigenous Peoples are prepared to confront the challenge of climate change from their own realities and perspectives. Among them are young professionals who are combining traditional knowledge with formal training to advocate for their communities on a global stage. One of the most inspiring moments was hearing from young Indigenous women, who voiced their concerns and aspirations to be agents of change within their communities. They spoke about bringing solutions and raising their peoples’ voices in international arenas.

Rosibel Rodríguez Gallardo, from the Ngäbe people of southern Costa Rica, shared:

“It is a privilege to participate for the first time in an international gathering of Indigenous women in Panama. I want to learn a lot so I can share it with my people.”

This generational shift—rooted in respect for and continuity of ancestral knowledge—is a sign of enduring commitment to the Indigenous struggle for environmental and climate justice.

A Partnership for the Future

The meeting also provided an opportunity to build support networks among Indigenous women from different countries, promote mutual learning, and strengthen each participant’s leadership. The young women demonstrated their commitment to their communities and to continuing to influence the climate agenda.

From left to right: Rosibel Rodríguez Gallardo and Yeshing Upún

Yeshing Upún, Maya Kaqchikel and a member of the Indigenous Women’s Network on Biodiversity of Latin America and the Caribbean, shared:

“It is a pleasure to exchange experiences and knowledge, but above all, to join efforts and raise our voices in response to the different proposals that will be developed in the framework of COP30 and the ongoing biodiversity negotiations.” — Yeshing Upún

At the close of Climate Week, Minnie Degawan, Managing Director of the FSC Indigenous Foundation, reflected:

“Climate Week should be more sensitive to the cultural aspects of the local people.”

Her words remind us that it is not possible to move toward a just climate future without active listening, deep respect, and genuine inclusion of those who have protected life in harmony with Mother Earth since time immemorial.

Sineia do Vale – Co-chair of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus

Climate Justice with a Voice: A Step Toward COP30

As the world looks ahead to COP30 in Belém, Indigenous women are not only strengthening their leadership but also building the technical knowledge required to engage in international climate negotiations. While the Panama workshop focused on capacity building, advocacy strategies, and peer learning, it was also part of a larger effort to ensure that Indigenous women are equipped to participate meaningfully in formal spaces like the 62nd session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB62) under the UNFCCC process.

Held in parallel with Panama Climate Week 2025, this gathering complemented other preparatory efforts—such as technical trainings hosted earlier in June by partners including the International Indigenous Forum on Climate Change (IIFCC), the International Indigenous Youth Forum on Climate Change (IIYFCC), DOCIP, Nia Tero, and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples (UNVFIP). Those sessions focused on the structure and agenda of SB62 and its relevance to COP30, including key negotiation tracks like the Global Goal on Adaptation and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

Together, these efforts underscore the importance of linking political advocacy with technical readiness, ensuring Indigenous women are not only visible in global climate spaces but fully prepared to shape the outcomes.

Closing Reflections

As the world moves toward COP30 in Belém, the voices, knowledge, and leadership of Indigenous women must remain at the center of climate and biodiversity negotiations. This workshop, made possible through the collaboration between DGM Global, Conservation International, and the FSC Indigenous Foundation, reaffirmed the power of partnerships in creating spaces where Indigenous women can build skills, share knowledge, and shape global agendas. Strengthening these alliances is essential to ensuring that Indigenous women are not only present in decision-making spaces—but are leading efforts to build a more just and sustainable future for all.

By Maria De Leon (FSC Indigenous Foundation) and Lidiane Castro (Conservation International)

FSC Indigenous Foundation to Implement Community Program in Four Indigenous Communities in the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé in Panamá

Tolé, Chiriquí, Panamá – June 2025

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The FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF) will serve as the implementing partner of a newly established community program designed to support the livelihoods and well-being of four Indigenous Ngäbe communities in Panama: Kiad, Nuevo Palomar, Quebrada Caña, and Quebrada de Plata.

This initiative arises as a result of a dialogue process between these communities, representatives of the Movimiento 10 de Abril (M10), their advisors (SOMO, Both Ends, and ACD), and the Development Finance Institutions of Germany (DEG) and the Netherlands (FMO). This dialogue was prompted by a formal complaint submitted in 2014 to the Independent Complaints Mechanism (ICM) of DEG and FMO by M10 and the General Cacica of the Ngäbe-Buglé Comarca, in relation to the impacts of the Barro Blanco hydroelectric project.

The dialogue culminated in a joint agreement, signed in June 2025, and the co-creation of a community program addressing essential needs, such as access to water and sanitation, transportation, electrification, home improvements, education, livelihoods, and cultural preservation. All elements of this agreement were discussed and validated through a participatory process in each community.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation was chosen by the parties to implement the program based on its recognized track record of working alongside Indigenous Peoples in Panama and worldwide. The Foundation’s role will be to ensure that the commitments outlined in the agreement are fulfilled through a culturally sensitive, participatory, and transparent implementation process over the course of two years, beginning in July 2025.

Our Guiding Principles: Respect, Consent, and Indigenous-Led Solutions

The FSC Indigenous Foundation is an Indigenous-led organization committed to upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and safeguarding their traditional knowledge, governance systems, and territories. We believe that Indigenous Peoples are the rightful stewards of Mother Earth’s forests and that Indigenous leadership is central to global sustainability efforts.

Our mission is to protect sacred landscapes and empower Indigenous communities through self-determined development. Our vision is a future where Indigenous rights are fully honored, Indigenous knowledge is integrated into global systems, and Indigenous Peoples lead actions to protect and restore the world’s forests.

In all our work, we uphold the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). This means that Indigenous communities have the right to decide—freely, in advance, and with full information—whether and how they wish to engage in development processes that affect their lands, territories, and lives. FPIC is not only a procedural step, but a cornerstone of Indigenous autonomy, dignity, and governance. We follow this methodology in every initiative we undertake, regardless of location or scale.

A Commitment to Dignity and Constructive Engagement

While the Barro Blanco hydroelectric dam has had lasting negative impacts on the affected Indigenous communities, this agreement reflects the determination of the Ngäbe Peoples to advocate for their rights and well-being. It is the result of their leadership and persistence in seeking solutions on their own terms.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation is honored to support the implementation of the resulting community program, carrying out this work with deep respect for the communities’ lived experiences and with a strong commitment to transparency, dignity, and Indigenous self-determination.

Our approach is grounded in dialogue, mutual respect, and Indigenous self-determination. We thank the communities of Kiad, Nuevo Palomar, Quebrada Caña, and Quebrada de Plata, M10 representatives, and all involved parties for their trust, and we remain committed to walking alongside them in this process.

Communications contact

If you want to collaborate with the FSC Indigenous Foundation, please email:

María De León

Head of Communications

m.deleon@fsc.org

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