CFES (Community Forest Ecosystem Services) is a non-profit organization in Indonesia that focuses on community-based forest management. CFES was established as an initiative of a network of civil society organizations that encourages cooperation among various stakeholders. Its goal is to provide incentives to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) who successfully protect forests from deforestation, rehabilitate forests, and manage natural resources sustainably.

CFES was established to respond to the needs of communities living in and around forests, ensuring they receive recognition and tangible benefits for their efforts in forest protection. Through performance-based Payment for Environmental Services (PES) mechanisms, CFES provides concrete support to communities, especially vulnerable groups and women, so they can improve their well-being while preserving forest ecosystems.

As a bridge between communities, government, and the private sector, we provide tangible support through financial incentives for conservation actions, facilitation and training to strengthen community capacity, and by ensuring transparent, participatory, and equitable governance. In addition, we also provide access for communities to secure funding commitments from various national and international sources, enabling forest conservation efforts to go hand-in-hand with improved livelihoods.

PES is a performance-based incentive mechanism, whereby communities receive financial rewards after fulfilling mutually agreed conservation commitments. PES funds are used, for example, for forest patrols, ecosystem rehabilitation, women's enterprise empowerment, and support for vulnerable groups. This scheme ensures a balance between nature conservation and community well-being improvement.

CFES creates space for collaboration with a wide range of parties from individuals, institutions, and companies to international organizations. Support can take the form of funding, technical cooperation, research, or the development of community-based programs. Through this synergy, we can work together to protect Indonesia’s forests while also promoting the well-being of the communities that depend on them.