Development is coming to Papua. We support the communities who live there to decide how it shapes their reefs, forests, and future.
Why this place, why now
One of the largest remaining rainforests on Earth, and some of Indonesia’s richest reefs.
For the Indigenous communities of Biak and the greater Cenderawasih Bay, these forests and reefs are a source of food and income. They also hold tradition and identity.
Infrastructure, new investment, and extraction are now moving across Papua faster than planning and local governance can keep up. Biak sits at the mouth of the bay and has long been a crossroads for the region. How Saireri handles this transition will shape what comes next along Papua’s north coast.
How we work
We start early
We work with communities before pressure becomes irreversible, so that local regulations, knowledge and leadership are in place when outside interests arrive.
We stay small
One region, a small team and long relationships. We would rather do a few things well than spread ourselves thin.
Community-led
Consent comes before speed. Communities commit first, and our support follows.
What we do
Five areas of work, all in one region.
- 01
Marine stewardship
Helping communities manage reefs, fisheries, and shark populations around Biak through patrol groups and village governance systems.
- 02
Local regulations
Supporting village and district regulations that protect marine resources.
- 03
Coral restoration
Small, site-specific restoration where reefs are already damaged.
- 04
Communities and education
Environmental learning and livelihoods that make healthy ecosystems worth more.
- 05
Bamboo and forests
Fast-growing bamboo as an alternative to hardwood, to ease pressure on forests.
Latest from Biak
Working toward a regulation to protect Biak’s waters
For the past two years, our team has been working with local stakeholders within the government and communities to develop a regulation that will protect all shark and ray species from the extractive and massive finning industry. In August, we hosted a public consultation and FGD sharing time to hear from the communities themselves and get their formal consent. The event was an amazing success.
Our implementation partner on the ground is Yayasan Kankenem Lestari Papua (YKLP), a registered Indonesian foundation under the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kementerian Sosial) that focuses on environmental restoration and community empowerment.
Help Biak’s communities protect their reefs and forests.
Whether you give, partner with us, or support a specific piece of work, your contribution stays close to the communities and places we work with.