RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government, in partnership with the United States, has officially launched the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act (TFCCA) grant program. 

The initiative, valued at USD 35 million in its first cycle, will empower 58 local organizations to lead conservation efforts across Indonesia’s most biodiverse marine regions.

The TFCCA program is a cornerstone of Indonesia’s Blue Economy policy, which places ecosystem sustainability at the heart of economic growth. 

Koswara, Director General of Marine Space Management at the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, said the program is a vital response to mounting environmental threats. 

“Amid the challenges of climate change, marine pollution, and destructive fishing practices, coral reef conservation has become a strategic agenda for the government within the framework of the blue economy policy,” he said during the launch in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

Koswara described the initiative as a form of “blue diplomacy,” combining global cooperation with local action to ensure inclusive and sustainable reef management. 

The first cycle of the TFCCA targets three critical seascapes known for their unparalleled marine life and high biodiversity. This includes the Bird’s Head Seascape (Kepala Burung) in the Papua region, which is globally recognized as the epicenter of marine species richness. The program also focuses on the Sunda Kecil region, covering the waters around Bali and Nusa Tenggara, as well as the Banda Seascape, a vital area for deep-sea ecosystems and migratory corridors.

By concentrating resources on these zones, the program aims to protect what is often called the “Amazon of the Seas” through innovative debt-swap mechanisms that redirect part of Indonesia’s debt to the US into local conservation funds.

The program is supported by international and local NGOs to ensure transparency and measurable impact through a blended finance model. 

Conservation International and its local partner, Konservasi Indonesia (KI), have contributed USD 3 million to support coordinated resource management and align conservation efforts with national priorities. 

The Nature Conservancy and Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) have added USD 1.5 million to support field implementation, including advanced monitoring technologies and community-led protection programs. 

These contributions form part of the USD 35 million debt-for-nature swap agreement, providing oversight to track reef health and the socio-economic well-being of coastal communities.

Meizani Irmadhiany, Executive Chair of Konservasi Indonesia, emphasized that the program ensures public resources are managed transparently and reach the “front lines” of conservation. 

She noted that the participation of 58 local groups marks a shift toward community-led stewardship, ensuring that those whose livelihoods depend on the sea are central to protecting the sea. ***