{"id":17266,"date":"2025-08-11T08:18:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T08:18:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/april.hellopomelo.space\/?p=17266"},"modified":"2026-05-18T08:21:46","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:21:46","slug":"supporting-capacity-building-and-dialogues-with-local-stakeholders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/april.hellopomelo.space\/id\/articles\/supporting-capacity-building-and-dialogues-with-local-stakeholders\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Capacity-building and Dialogues with Local Stakeholders"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” row_position_desktop=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” flex_gap_desktop=”10px” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]As\u00a0 the first company globally to implement the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Remedy Framework since its launch in July 2023, we recognise the need to help enable local communities, rightsholders and other\u00a0 local stakeholders to engage meaningfully and effectively in the remedy process. Part of this work is undertaking awareness and communication activities at the impact areas, particularly at the local level.<\/p>\n

A key guidance on engaging with local stakeholders is that there is no one-size-fits all solution. Local stakeholders and communities need to be understood and engaged with in their specific context. We also recognize that working with experienced national and local NGOs that have close relationship with, and are trusted by, local communities is an effective approach. This also reinforces the view that remedy is a locally driven process where remedy actions are discussed and agreed with the impacted rightsholders on the ground.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”17267″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]To \u00a0engage with stakeholders in Riau province, APRIL has been working with two independent organisations: Forum Komunikasi Kehutanan Masyarakat (FKKM) Riau and Patala Unggul Gesang (PUG). Each organisation brings extensive experience and expertise in community engagement within the region.<\/p>\n

Community Preparedness and Issue Identification<\/strong><\/p>\n

Forum Komunikasi Kehutanan Masyarakat (FKKM) Riau, established since 2004, \u00a0is a multi-stakeholder forum that promotes, encourages and oversees community-based forest management. \u00a0leads a comprehensive community preparedness program for APRIL\u2019s remedy process in five villages across the Siak, Pelalawan, Kepulauan Meranti, and Bengkalis regencies. The initiative, launched in\u00a0 October 2024, was supported by a network of Riau-based NGOs.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”17268″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]A core component of the program is building awareness within communities about the\u00a0FSC Remedy Framework<\/em>,\u00a0<\/em>the\u00a0Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)\u00a0<\/em>principles, participatory mapping, and APRIL remedy process.<\/p>\n

In addition, FKKM\u2019s member NGOs have conducted dialogues \u2013 a minimum of two sessions per village each month \u2013 since November 2024. These dialogues were held with village heads and community and indigenous leaders in the five villages in Riau.<\/p>\n

Any issues raised by the communities during these sessions that do not fall under \u2018past harms\u2019 are also diligently documented, as these will be addressed through APRIL\u2019s existing operational grievance mechanism.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”17269″ image_size=”full” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default”][vc_column_text css=”” text_direction=”default”]Building Awareness and Dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n

Patala Unggul Gesang (PUG) is a civil society organization that focuses on sustainable forest management, including supporting the implementation process of the FSC Remedy. PUG launched its community preparedness initiative with a provincial-level dialogue held in Pekanbaru in January 2025, which was followed by landscape-level dialogues in March.<\/p>\n

The provincial-level dialogue convened about 100 participants, local communities, indigenous peoples, provincial and local government officials, local NGOs, private sectors, and academics.<\/p>\n

Between March and July 2025, landscape level-dialogues were held to build an understanding of the FSC Remedy Framework and its implementation across four districts in Riau: Pelalawan (99 participants), Kuantan Singingi (114 participants), Indragiri Hulu (118 participants), and Siak (138 participants).<\/p>\n

PUG has also extended its outreach to Riau media and engaged in dialogues with several Riau-based NGOs. These provincial and district-level events have significantly contributed to public discussions, resulting in the publication of more than 80 commentaries in local Riau media.<\/p>\n

Insights from Initial Community Engagements<\/strong><\/p>\n

These community engagements have generated y strong interest and participation from the rightsholders, affected stakeholders and the broader community. Key observations and insights from the dialogues include:<\/p>\n