4F IS NOW THE OFFICIAL CUSTODIAN OF THE DEFORESTATION-FREE TOOLKIT FOR SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN INDONESIA, PROMOTING COMMUNITY-BASED FOREST PROTECTION
Jakarta, June 24, 2026 — The Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F) has now officially assumed the role of custodian and manager for the Simplified HCS-HCV (High Carbon Stock – High Conservation Value) Toolkit for Smallholder Farmers in Indonesia. This practical tool assists smallholder farmers and local communities in identifying and safeguarding areas with high conservation value and high carbon stocks, supporting the production of deforestation-free products.
This toolkit was initially created with support from the High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) and tested with members of the Oil Palm Smallholder Farmers’ Union across six pilot sites. Since 14 May 2026, 4F has taken full responsibility for its management, usage monitoring, development, and promotion.
As the official custodian of the toolkit, 4F will:
• Serve as the primary contact for anyone interested in supporting, using, studying, or giving feedback on the toolkit;
• Oversee the regular review and updates of the toolkit through consultations with smallholder farmers, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LCs), and other relevant stakeholders;
• Guarantee that the toolkit continues to be accessible and open to the public.
Tirza Pandelaki, the Executive Director of 4F, stated that managing this toolkit is a vital step in empowering communities to protect forests and align commodity production with conservation goals.
“Forest protection cannot rely solely on governments or companies. Indigenous peoples and local communities are the first line of defence for the forest. This toolkit offers a straightforward and practical method for them to independently identify, monitor, and safeguard valuable forest areas," stated Tirza Pandelaki.
By implementing this toolkit, 4F aims to increase the protection of forest areas through initiatives led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs). So far, the approach, developed collaboratively with smallholder farmers and community groups, has been applied across a landscape covering 3.135,49 hectares in West and Central Kalimantan, featuring a forest monitoring and surveillance system operated jointly with the nearby community groups.
Additionally, this toolkit aims to create opportunities for smallholder farmers and local communities to benefit from the growing global demand for deforestation-free and environmentally sustainable products.
Tirza Pandelaki noted that an increasing number of companies and international markets are looking for supply chain solutions that protect forests. She mentioned that this toolkit could connect these market demands with grassroots forest conservation initiatives.
4F also urges companies, supply chain actors, financial institutions, donors, and civil society organizations to enhance collaboration in supporting community-based forest conservation.
Tirza Pandelaki emphasised that sustainable forest conservation relies on fair collaborations among communities, businesses, and stakeholders. She encouraged all involved to join forces in fostering a conservation approach that protects the environment and enhances community well-being.
4F encourages smallholder farmers, field facilitators, civil society organizations, local governments, and agricultural businesses to utilize this toolkit and share their feedback, helping to keep it relevant to on-the-ground needs.
The toolkit is available in Indonesian and English and can be downloaded from the official 4F website at farmers4forest.org.
Media Contact
Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F)
Email: secretariat@farmers4forest.org / adm.petanipelindunghutan@gmail.com
Phone: +62 853-8507-0978
About The Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F)
The Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation is a first-of-its-kind, farmer-led Indonesian not-for-profit organisation established to help rural and indigenous smallholders map and protect forests while maintaining sustainable, deforestation-free livelihoods. Established on August 1, 2023, 4F was created with and for farmers to ensure that rural communities directly benefit from and are incentivised by forest conservation by promoting deforestation-free farming practices. It acts as a platform to channel both financial incentives and non-financial support to indigenous and rural smallholder farmers.