We seek a new approach to managing distressed or inactive timber concessions in the Wehea-Kelay Forest in Berau, East Kalimantan in an inclusive way. We aim to protect the rich biodiversity of Borneo’s tropical forests and bring to life a ‘conservation-first’ forest management model that will redefine sustainable forestry. We will leverage carbon markets to create new revenue streams to incentivize concessions and involve Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) by providing them with forest-friendly livelihood options (e.g. non-timber commodities, eco-tourism), as well as policy advocacy 

In general overview, in Kalimantan, 60 percent of the remaining high-integrity forest is allocated by the government for timber concessions—large tracts of land that have been granted long-term 30+ year licenses for timber company operations. With timber operators suffering recent market declines due to constant timber price volatility and increased operating costs, many of these concessions have been left inactive and are at risk of illegal logging and encroachment. This leaves huge expanses of rainforest habitat for charismatic species at risk of degradation. Former research has shown that many high-risk deforestation concessions have high population densities of orangutans and clouded leopards. On the other hand, the role of the  IPLCs in realizing the conservation of forest resources cannot be negated because they interact intensively with natural resources in the daily life cycle. This makes forests the source of livelihood and is part of the social and cultural life of the community. Sustainable management and utilization of forest resources is the key to their sustainability for the next generation. The relationship between communities and forests is a symbiotic relationship that cannot be broken, and therefore communities play a central role in safeguarding and preserving forests.

The initiative aims to establish a strong conservation-oriented framework for the future of sustainable tropical forestry. This model is designed to empower the IPLCs, safeguard wildlife, and supply certified sustainable building materials with a low carbon footprint. It aims to demonstrate the effective, profitable, and equitable management of forest concessions while achieving conservation goals. However, we must formulate initial hypotheses regarding the additional benefits of this program within the 'Conservation-first' model, including its potential role in helping Indonesia meet its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets. Additionally, it is essential to outline the measurement components necessary for evaluation in the Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) process throughout the project's implementation. This study was initiated to address these requirements.