Pekanbaru, June 17, 2025 — Earthworm Foundation (EF), operating in Indonesia through the national independent foundation Yayasan Hutan Tropis (YHT), is committed to sustainable development across the country. EF, in collaboration with Riau Provincial Government, hosted a multi-stakeholder workshop "Strengthening Resilience Through an Integrated, Effective, Collaborative, and Sustainable Landscape Approach” in Pekanbaru. The event brings together over 70 participants from district and sub-district governments, national ministries, civil society, academic, private sector, and the media.
The workshop builds on years of collaborative work in Riau’s landscape, a region rich in peatlands, forests, and biodiversity, but also facing challenges from land-use change. Earthworm through Yayasan Hutan Tropis has led a co-funded landscape initiative supported by multiple global brands committed to sustainability across their value chains. This initiative has fostered inclusive, community-driven solutions to protect forests and improve livelihoods across districts in Riau Province.
These efforts have led to the establishment of conservation management plans in 23 villages that its implementation supported by 24 community-based organisations, and the adoption of more sustainable agricultural practices by over 3,000 farmers across 5,600 hectares of land. These results show how locally rooted, multi-stakeholder collaboration can drive sustainable development on the ground.
As part of this continued momentum, the workshop also marks the launch of RISE programme (Riau Integrative, Resilient, and Ecological), supported by Walmart Foundation. The programme represents the second phase of Walmart Foundation support to Earthworm’s landscape programme in Riau, which supported by various global brands committed to sustainability in their supply chain. It aims to deepen the work by integrating ecological protection, economic resilience, and inclusive land-use planning with the supply chain, and focuses on the districts of Indragiri Hulu, Kampar, and Pelalawan.
In her opening remarks, Indira Nurtanti, Indo-Pacific Regional Director of Earthworm Foundation, stated, “After more than five years of working in Riau, we believe sustainability can only be achieved through collaboration. With what we've started and accomplished through the landscape approach, direct community involvement, and the contributions of all stakeholders in their respective roles, I’m confident we can accelerate positive transformation for the environment, social well-being, and the livelihoods of communities, which aligns with the government’s long-term development plan."
This workshop is also a call for continued multi-stakeholder collaboration. Achieving lasting transformation in Riau requires alignment and partnership among local and national governments, businesses, communities, and civil society. Purnama Iriansyah, Head of Riau Development Planning Agency, said, Riau Provincial Government warmly welcomes this initiative as part of the region’s development agenda. Head of Riau Provincial Development Planning Agency (BAPPEDA), Purnama Irawansyah, stated, “Synergy and collaboration are the main key to the implementation of low-carbon and green development. We believe that Earthworm Foundation, through its work in Riau landscape, shares the same focus and goals in supporting climate action and sustainable forest governance. We invite all parties to contribute meaningfully to this effort. These collective actions are part of realising the vision of Riau as a province that is culturally Malay, dynamic, ecological, religious, and progressive.”
During the workshop, Earthworm Foundation presented the proposed three-year program plan. Stakeholder representatives actively participated in interactive dialogues, providing input on the program’s design and implementation while exploring opportunities for collaboration.
This event highlights the importance of collective action from all stakeholders. With a spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation) and multi-stakeholder synergy, Riau is better positioned to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges in the future.
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Media Contact & Documentation Requests:
Sheila Kartika – Communications Manager
s.putri@earthworm.org | +62 856 8871 996
About Earthworm Foundation
Earthworm Foundation Indonesia, or Yayasan Hutan Tropis, is a national independent foundation focused on social and environmental impact. The organisation works with businesses, civil society, communities, and governments to reduce the impact of raw material sourcing on people and the planet. With expertise in supply chains, social issues, and the environment, Earthworm operates in various regions to improve worker conditions, protect forests, and restore ecosystems affected by palm oil, rubber, cocoa, and other commodities. In Indonesia, Earthworm Foundation is actively engaged in the Aceh and Riau landscapes. Learn more at: https://earthworm.org
