PRESS RELEASE: HCSA and Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation Announce Future Stewardship of the HCS–HCV Simplified Smallholder Toolkit for Indonesia

Kuala Lumpur, 14 May 2026— The High Carbon Stock Approach (HCSA) and the Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F), an Indonesian not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting smallholders to map and protect their forests, jointly announce an agreement under which 4F will become the future steward of the HCS–HCV Simplified Smallholder Approach Toolkit for Indonesia.

“The availability and accessibility of localised cost-effective tools for mapping and managing valuable forest patches are crucial for communities and small farmers to prevent deforestation linked to the production of agricultural commodities and contribute to their conservation. As future stewards, and because of their mission to supporting smallholders to map and protect the forests in their communities, the Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F) are the perfect partner for HCSA to ensure that this accessible tool is not only readily available but also adequately promoted and widely used in Indonesia.” said Jesús Cordero, Executive Director of HCSA.

“Now more than ever small farmers need support to map and protect their remaining forests, as well as secure their traditional rights. The HCS-HCV smallholder toolkit is an important part of the practical implementation of that support.” said Tirza Pandelaki, 4F Executive Director.

The agreement was formally endorsed by the HCSA Steering Group Executive Committee on 29 January 2026, with the change of governance taking effect on 14 May 2026.

From this date, 4F will assume full ownership and stewardship of the Smallholder (SH) Toolkit, including oversight for its use, further development, modification, and promotion. 4F will also safeguard the toolkit as a key resource supporting Indonesian smallholders and other relevant stakeholders in forest protection and sustainable land management.

Under the new governance arrangement:

    • 4F will serve as the primary point of contact for all enquiries and requests related to the SH Toolkit;
    • 4F will take over governance of the application, including any future review, consultation on and evolution of the toolkit to ensure it remains relevant to field realities and smallholder needs;
    • The toolkit will continue to be made publicly available.

    The HCS–HCV Simplified Smallholder Approach Toolkit for Indonesia is available in Bahasa Indonesia and English. It is currently hosted on the 4F website, and HCSA intends to continue making the latest version of the toolkit available on its website as a downloadable resource, with a clear link to the Farmers for Forest Protection Foundation (4F) website and contact details.

    This transition reflects HCSA’s commitment to ensuring continuity, accessibility, and effective governance of its tools as the organisation prepares to conclude its operations as a membership body. Entrusting stewardship of the SH Toolkit to 4F supports its continued relevance and long-term impact for Indonesian smallholders.

    🔗 Access the toolkit HERE

    For further information, please contact:
    📧     info@highcarbonstock.org

    📧 secretariat@farmers4forest.org/adm.petanipelindunghutan@gmail.com

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Development Manager

Natalia Merchan

Natalia Merchan joined HCSA as a Business Development consultant in 2020. She is responsible for fundraising in general and building relationships with new donors. Natalia has over 10 years of fundraising experience with foundations, major donors, institutional and corporate donors. Prior to joining HCSA, she worked with Greenpeace as a major gifts’ advisor raising funds for the forests campaign. She holds an MSc. in Environmental development from the University of Amsterdam.

Digital Designer & Communications Officer

Kirsti Drain

Kirsti joined in 2022 and is responsible for visual digital content production for HCSA’s new website, digital assets for all communication channels, as well as design for corporate reports and bids. She has over 20 years of experience in design and content across web, digital and print channels in a broad range of sectors. She previously worked as senior graphic designer for Capital City College Group in London and digital designer and content editor for the Commonwealth. She has a BA in Film and Photographic Arts from the University of Westminster.

Outreach Executive

Saffira Mohamed

Saffira Mohamed joined the High Carbon Stock Approach in 2022 as Membership Officer. She supports the Membership Outreach Manager and Membership Committee. Saffira has experience in avifauna surveying and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry from University Putra Malaysia with a focus on Forest Management.

Communications Manager

Leslie Jewell

Leslie is responsible for producing and managing HCSA’s internal and external communications. Her background is journalism, starting as a reporter and then current affairs producer with BBC World Service Radio and BBC Radio 4. She moved into international TV news, working in Russia, Ukraine and Central Asia as Bureau Producer in Moscow for BBC News and covered New York and Washington as North American Bureau Producer for Reuters. She studied politics at Cardiff University and speaks French, Italian and Russian.

Head of Development

Jesús Cordero

Jesús Cordero is our Head of Development. He leads on the development and deployment of our Membership Strategy, coordinates the Membership Committee, and supports the development of our Information Management, Communications, Fundraising and HR functions. Jesús has extensive experience with membership and communications management and innovations as well as promoting smallholders’ livelihoods in the tropics via sustainable land use management approaches. Jesús speaks English and Spanish, and he holds a degree in Forestry, an MSc. in Agroforestry (Cranfield University), an MSc. in Communications for Innovation and Development (University of Reading) and an M.A. in Translation Studies (University of Portsmouth).

Landscape and monitoring manager

Jonathan Byers

Jonathan Byers is responsible for managing the HCSA Global Forest Watch Pro monitoring platform. Jonathan has a diverse background in natural and physical science research, cartography and GIS, non-profit management, education, and digital storytelling. Most recently he led a National Geographic funded project to study the habitat and behaviour of the endangered Matschies’s tree-kangaroo in Papua New Guinea to assist community conservation efforts. He previously worked on cartography projects for Panthera to provide high-resolution maps for tiger anti-poaching efforts in Malaysia, and for the National Park Service mapping glacier retreat in California and Alaska. Jonathan holds an MSc. Degree in Geography from the University of Montana.

Administrative Officer

Anis Farhana Wahab

Anis Farhana Wahab is the Administrative Officer of the High Carbon Stock Approach. She supports the HCSA Executive Director, HCSA Executive Committee and working groups on HCSA governance and priority workstreams. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Major in Biology with Minor in Psychology) from Carleton University.

Quality manager

Daneetha Muniandy

Daneetha Muniandy joined the HCS Approach in 2020 as the Quality Assurance Officer. She is responsible for supporting HCSA Grievance Mechanism Unit, HCSA trial applications and other HCSA QA work. Daneetha has experience in forest conservation and holds both, a diploma and degree in Forestry from University Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Finance Manager

Lee Kuan Lih

Lee Kuan Lih joined HCSA as a Finance Manager in 2020. He is responsible for the company’s bookkeeping, budgets, and cash flow control. Prior to joining HCSA, he was a finance manager in Helikonia. He was also in charge of financial matters at Apple Crumby & Fish, a start-up e-commerce platform for essential baby products and had previously worked as an auditor. Kuan Lih holds a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (majoring in accounting and finance) from Monash University, Malaysia. He is also a Certified Practising Accountant as a member of CPA, Australia.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Adrian Choo

Adrian Choo is the Executive Director of the High Carbon Stock Approach. He leads the development and implementation of HCSA’s strategic business plan, oversees the HCSA membership and Secretariat and fosters partnerships to drive HCSA’s impact and growth. Adrian has extensive experience in tropical forest certification, palm oil sustainability and high conservation value areas. He led the Sustainable Markets Programme Strategy at WWF-Malaysia and was Chair of FSC Malaysia for several years. Adrian has a BA in Forestry and a PhD in Biocomposite Technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia, where he was also a Post-doctoral Research Fellow.