We’re celebrating 10 years of partnership with Save the Orangutan, a transformative decade which has shaped our whole approach to conservation and community collaboration in Borneo.
Save the Orangutan is an international conservation NGO dedicated to protecting the critically endangered orangutan and preserving the rainforest habitats on which they – and, to a certain degree, all of us – depend.
To protect orangutans, back people
What began in 2016 as emergency firefighting support has evolved into a pivotal, multi-landscape initiative that puts conservation leadership firmly in the hands of local communities.
We had long recognised that community support would be essential to the long-term success of our conservation work. However, most of the grants we had received up to that point were primarily earmarked scientific research and habitat restoration, making it difficult to engage more strategically in community initiatives. Although we had strong relationships with local communities, we lacked the resources to establish wider-reaching development programmes. Partnering with Save the Orangutan enabled us to pursue this work with new and significant sources of funding, marking an important shift in our strategic approach.
With a shared mission to protect Borneo’s orangutans, Save the Orangutan also recognises the importance of engaging local communities to address the root causes of biodiversity loss, including poverty, food insecurity, limited sustainable livelihood opportunities, and a lack of environmental education. In short, the partnership is firmly rooted in the belief that to save the orangutan, you need to back people.
Our community-led conservation approach
A key aspect of our community development programme is providing technical assistance to Indigenous communities applying for Social Forestry permits, which grant them legal management rights over their ancestral forests. These permits are a vital step in empowering communities to protect and sustainably use the landscapes they depend upon.
At the time of writing, we’re proud to support over 30 villages across rural Borneo, helping communities navigate the Social Forestry application process and plan for long-term forest management. Once Social Forestry permits have been awarded, the partnership with Save the Orangutan allows us to continue to offer free training, guidance and technical support for sustainable forest management, ensuring that these vital ecosystems remain healthy for generations to come.
Many communities in rural Borneo face significant challenges, including limited infrastructure and restricted access to education and employment opportunities. In the absence of viable alternatives, this can push people towards extractive industries, such as illegal mining or plantation agriculture, that often come at a heavy cost to the environment. To support the sustainable management of community forests, we facilitate the creation of green jobs to provide stable, conservation-linked income streams while building local expertise.
By working collaboratively with communities to assess feasibility and develop ideas, we provide training and ongoing support to help launch sustainable enterprises. Since 2019, more than 450 people across 16 villages have adopted peat-friendly livelihoods, including permaculture, aquaculture (fishponds), and organic handicrafts.
During a recent visit to Borneo, Arafa Khatib, Head of Programmes at Save the Orangutan, reflected on the breadth of the partnership and the value of spending time with the communities leading this work:
“Conservation work is deeply multifaceted and inherently complex, and therefore our efforts and approach must be broad. Whenever I visit BNF and local communities, I make time to talk with people because it’s one of the most valuable ways of learning. Every visit brings new insights.
This time, it was particularly fascinating to learn about purun—its many uses and how it can provide a sustainable source of income. I also had the opportunity to try weaving myself, which gave me an even greater appreciation for the skill, patience and craftsmanship involved. It was far more challenging than it looks, but also a great deal of fun—especially for everyone watching my attempts along the way!
Visiting BNF colleagues in Borneo and spending time with local communities is always both inspiring and deeply meaningful. I am continually impressed by the team’s dedication, professionalism and extensive knowledge. At the same time, they bring a wonderful sense of energy and camaraderie, making every visit both impactful and enjoyable.”
What might the next 10 years look like?
As we celebrate ten years of partnership with Save the Orangutan, we’re also looking ahead, building on a decade that has transformed how we approach conservation and community engagement in Borneo.
This includes…
- Future-proofing sustainable livelihoods: A central priority is ensuring that the sustainable livelihood initiatives we have supported can stand on their own. Over the coming years, we will focus on strengthening these enterprises so they can operate independently – providing reliable, long-term income for communities without the need for ongoing external support.
- Responding to the climate crisis: As the impacts of climate change intensify, our work is expanding .to address both mitigation and adaptation. By supporting community-led forest protection and sustainable peatland management, we are helping to safeguard vital carbon stores and reduce the risk of forest fires. At the same time, we are working to strengthen community resilience to extreme weather events, including flooding, drought, and shifting seasonal patterns that threaten livelihoods and food security.
- Strengthening local capacity and governance: Strengthening the skills, confidence, and leadership of community members will be essential to ensuring long-term success. In particular, we aim to support the development of effective and accountable local institutions, including forest management units, so that communities are fully equipped to manage their forests sustainably and equitably.
Ultimately, the future of our partnership is rooted in the same principle that has guided us from the beginning: that lasting conservation depends on supporting people. By continuing to invest in community-led solutions, together we aim to create a future where forests are protected, livelihoods are secure, and communities are resilient in the face of a changing climate.
This is how we save the orangutan.
