Yayasan Merah Putih

Description

Yayasan Merah Putih is an Indonesian non-governmental, non-profit organization working on advocacy for indigenous rights and sustainable natural resource management.

It was founded on 14 December 1989 in Palu, Central Sulawesi. It began as youth education work, then in 1992 shifted to advocacy and organizing to empower local and indigenous communities in Central Sulawesi. In 2017 it adopted a foundation structure and became known as Yayasan Merah Putih Sulawesi Tengah, headquartered in Palu with a field office in Tojo Una-Una.

The organization works mainly with the Tau Taa Wana indigenous people and local peasant communities, helping them manage natural resources and defend their land against transmigration and development pressure. It runs community organizing, policy advocacy, public campaigns and capacity building through training. It has helped secure government recognition of customary forests and community forest management rights in Central Sulawesi.

It also runs an alternative education program, Skola Lipu, providing village schools for Tau Taa Wana children in North Morowali and Tojo Una-Una districts.