Video was captured in a small dialogue with FSC Director General, 26 June 2025.
Consolidated By Happy Tarumadevyanto | Independent Consultant | Environmental Asia | happy.devyanto@environmental.asia
FSC has a strong commitment to supporting smallholders and has shown tangible results, including in Java. One of its biggest efforts is the development of the Regional Forest Stewardship Standard (RFSS) for Smallholders in Asia Pacific, which has been nationally adapted for Indonesia. This standard is designed to be simpler, more realistic, and more accessible for small farmers with management units under 20 hectares, reducing administrative burdens and certification costs.
An example in Java can be seen in initiatives like those undertaken by the Rainforest Alliance with JavLec (Java Learning Center), which strive to connect forest community products in priority landscapes with potential markets in Java. They support farmer groups in obtaining FSC certification, helping to improve technical skills, yields, and environmental performance. Koperasi Wana Manunggal Lestari in Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, is also an example of how FSC certification, even with assistance from companies interested in certified timber, can increase farmer income and promote sustainable forest management.
The FSC is highly capable of fostering support with industry. In fact, collaboration with industry is key to successful smallholder certification. Industries need a sustainable timber supply, and smallholders can be a significant source. Through Group Certification schemes and the development of integrated supply chains, FSC facilitates connections between small farmers and industrial buyers. Many large companies now seek FSC-certified raw materials, opening wider market opportunities for small farmers who meet these standards. This creates a mutually beneficial ecosystem where industries gain a responsible supply, and smallholders gain market access and better prices.
Questions about FSC’s direct support for remedy efforts were indeed a significant topic at the FSC Asia Pacific Remedy Forum, particularly in discussions surrounding the APRIL Group’s ongoing remedy process. Stakeholders, especially local communities and NGOs, emphasized the need for greater support from both FSC and the companies undergoing remediation.
A key request was for enhanced capacity building for communities and local NGOs. This would enable them to participate more effectively in the complex remedy process, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are adequately addressed. FSC and APRIL acknowledged this need and committed to supporting such initiatives.
Concerns were also raised regarding the independence of assessors and the transparency of the process. Participants stressed the importance of FSC’s active engagement with the Indonesian government to ensure the overall success and legitimacy of remedy implementation. While FSC facilitates the process and develops systems for companies to complete their remediation, the forum highlighted the ongoing need for practical support, clearer guidelines, and consistent monitoring to ensure tangible and equitable outcomes on the ground.
