Indonesia is making major strides toward creating a single, unified National Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for Agroforestry and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). This national-level effort, supported by the Forest Harvest Association (FHA) and a broad coalition of national partners, is focused on creating an affordable, trustworthy, and widely recognized system that empowers small-scale producers.
Establishing a Vision and Legal Structure
The initiative began with a national discussion on December 18, 2024, which reviewed existing systems like PGS ROLES and Local Harvest and finalized the vision and structure for the new National PGS Council. Participants agreed to adopt a Multi-Stakeholder Cooperative model, identified as the most suitable legal form for ensuring inclusivity, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
An online meeting on February 17, 2025, further refined the vision, mission, and ten-year goals:
- Vision: To build an affordable, credible, and sustainable National PGS system, rooted in local wisdom, that ensures NTFPs are accepted in fair and transparent national and international markets.
- Mission Highlights: Provide quality assurance, advocate for policy recognition, and promote responsible, fair consumption.
- 10-Year Goals: Achieve government recognition, provide tangible benefits to smallholders, drive consumer choice for certified products, and establish the PGS as a recognized certification model by market businesses.
The National PGS as an ‘Umbrella Platform’
A subsequent hybrid meeting on April 29, 2025, solidified the role of the national initiative. The group reaffirmed the multi-stakeholder cooperative model and, crucially, agreed that the National PGS should act as an umbrella platform for existing guarantee initiatives.
This platform will unify the efforts of:
- PGS ROLES
- PGS Lestari
- PAMOR Indonesia
- SPI PGS
- PGS Urban Future
This unity is seen as vital for coordination with the regional PGS under the Forest Harvest Association (FHA).
Steps Toward Formal Establishment
The process culminated in a National Workshop on June 26, 2025, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Forestry, numerous NGOs, and community networks. The key agreements confirmed the Formation of National PGS Indonesia to enhance cooperation in human resource capacity building and institutional development.
Next steps for the National PGS Indonesia include:
- Legal Entity Discussions: While the cooperative model is favored, discussions on the specific legal entity or a coalition structure for policy advocacy and knowledge sharing will continue.
- Founding Meetings: A formal founding meeting is planned for July 17, 2025, followed by another meeting on August 19, 2025, to finalize legal and coalition advocacy details.
These milestones mark significant progress toward a nationally recognized, unified, and community-led guarantee system for sustainable forest and agroforestry products in Indonesia.