Technical Guidance on the Implementation of the Recovery Program for Anglo-Eastern Plantations

As part of our commitment to advancing sustainable and socially responsible practices, Inovasi Digital, through our implementation partner Earthqualizer, collaborated with Anglo Eastern Plantation (AEP) to hold a Technical Guidance on the Implementation of the Recovery Program through Collaborative Social Forestry Management on 10–12 October 2025 in Bengkulu.

The three-day training brought together representatives from AEP’s Head Office, mapping, EHS, and field teams, those directly involved in implementing the company’s recovery initiatives on the ground.

This capacity-building activity was designed to deepen AEP’s team’s understanding of the Social Forestry approach as a key instrument in realizing the Recovery and Compensation Plan (RACP) and the company’s NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) commitments,  which serves to improve plantation conditions and compensate for environmental and social damages, typically by protecting or restoring areas with High Conservation Value (HCV) in other locations. 

Through this collaborative framework, companies are encouraged to integrate environmental restoration with the social and economic empowerment of surrounding communities.

The program began with opening remarks from representatives of Inovasi Digital and AEP, followed by a presentation by Riza Harizajudin, Landscape Manager at Inovasi Digital, who presented an overview of AEP’s NDPE-RACP Recovery Program.

The first day’s discussion focused on developing a shared conceptual understanding among participants of why AEP is implementing the Recovery Program and how the Social Forestry approach can serve as an instrument to achieve sustainable social and ecological restoration. 

AEP has adopted the NDPE (No Deforestation, No Peat, No Exploitation) principles as part of its sustainability policy and plans to strengthen this commitment by joining the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil). The Recovery Program serves as a corrective measure for past non-compliance with NDPE and RSPO standards, requiring environmental and social remediation efforts. While NDPE refers to this initiative as the Recovery Program, RSPO terms it RaCP (Remediation and Compensation Procedure), which was new to most participants at the start of the session.

Social Forestry was chosen as the recovery mechanism because it aligns with the four core principles required by both NDPE and RSPO’s RaCP. These principles emphasize collaboration and adherence to sustainability standards throughout implementation, ensuring the program contributes meaningfully to environmental restoration and social responsibility.

The second day delved into the technical aspects of Social Forestry facilitation, focusing on three core areas: Area Management, Enterprise Management, and Institutional Management.

Ahmad Shopian, S.Hut, from the Bengkulu Provincial Environmental and Forestry Agency, discussed strategies for effective area management, including spatial planning, forest protection, and community capacity-building.

Meanwhile, Maman Sudirman, S.Hut., MM, from BPDAS “Hutan Lindung Ketahun”, led sessions on developing community-based enterprises, strengthening local institutions, and ensuring transparent and accountable governance.

Interactive discussions and case studies encouraged participants to reflect on real-world challenges and opportunities, bringing the concepts of social forestry closer to practical application within AEP’s operational areas.

The final day centered on integrating AEP’s Recovery Program with government-facilitated Social Forestry schemes. Participants, guided by facilitators from Inovasi Digital, discussed identifying potential sites and community partners while developing a baseline framework to support planning, monitoring, and evaluation.

The sessions concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen coordination among AEP, Inovasi Digital, and other stakeholders in realizing recovery programs that are both socially just and environmentally sound.

Across three days of learning, exchange, and collaboration, participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm and openness to new perspectives. The training fostered a collective awareness that landscape recovery is not only about restoring ecosystems but also about rebuilding relationships between companies, communities, and governments.

This initiative represents a meaningful step in AEP’s journey to uphold NDPE and RACP commitments, and embodies Inovasi Digital’s mission to drive industry transformation toward sustainability that serves both people and the planet.

Inovasi Digital remains dedicated to supporting the agribusiness sector in strengthening capacity, collaboration, and inclusive governance. Because lasting recovery can only be achieved through equitable partnerships and continuous learning.