Manengkel Solidaritas

Toprotect biodiversity and natural resources by increasing awareness of conservation issues and increasing involvement of local communities; and to be at the forefront in building relationships with stakeholders at the local, regional, national and international levels by:

1. Producing and disseminating data and information that is accurate, current and relevant to support the management of ecosystems and natural resources;
2. Raising awareness about the significance of biodiversity and identify efforts to preserve it;
3. Creating, developing and disseminating environmentally friendly technological approaches;
4. Protecting and conserving biodiversity at village, district and provincial levels;
5. Developing networks with stakeholders by planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating, and developing programs related to the utilization and management of natural resources;
6. Increasing internal capacity and developHuman Resources and others;
7. Building the capacity of local governments and supporting the development of appropriate policies and programs to support community participation and sustainable management of natural resources.

Manengkel Solidaritas was established in 2011 by a group of citizenswho are deeply concerned and passionate about the coastaland marine environment of North Sulawesi and the wellbeingof the coastal communities who depend upon these ecosystems for their livelihoods. Manengkel Solidaritas was formally registered as an independent Indonesian non-profit foundation in

2015 and it is not aligned with any politicalparties or private sector interests. Manengkel Solidaritas aims to empower coastal communities and support them to take greater care of the coastal and marine ecosystems upon which they depend throughawareness raising and educationand building community-based institutions and capacity for improvedenvironmental protection and sustainable exploitation and management of natural resources.

North Sulawesi Provinceis situated in the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea Eco-Region and is located near the heart of the Coral Triangle, which has the most extensive and biodiverse coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems in the World. The region is home for more than 70 speciesor 2/3rds of the World’s hard corals, 2,500 species of fish and many other types of marine organisms. Unfortunately, these precious ecosystem are coming under increasing pressure as a result of destructive and over-fishing, climate change and other threats. Manengkel Solidaritas works closelywith local communities, government and private sector partners towards reducing environmental degradation and educating local people on sustainable terrestrial and marineresource management practicesboth to ensure the protection and health of this importantenvironment and the wellbeing of localcommunities that dependupon them.

Manengkel Solidaritas (MS) has been trustedby local and international donors to plan and implement a range of activities related to terrestrial and marine conservation and sustainable development including awareness raising campaigns and environmental education programsin coastal elementary schools and the implementation participatory monitoring and coastal community-based management programsin North Sulawesi. Manengkel Solidaritas currently has ten local staff who are highly committed and have diverse skills relating to fisheries management, community organizing and community-based conservation, environmental campaigning and education, mangroves and seagrasses bioecology, coral reef rehabilitation and climatechange mitigation and adaptation.