Ranu Welum Foundation

Founded in 2016 in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, the Ranu Welum Foundation is a women- and youth-led Indigenous organization empowering Dayak communities through a blend of traditional knowledge and modern technology. Its work spans forest conservation, disaster resilience, cultural preservation, and youth empowerment, operating through four departments: Academy, Community, Conservation, and Media. Signature programmes like Youth Act Kalimantan and the Kalimantan International Indigenous Film Festival have mobilized over 1,000 youth, protected nearly 3,000 hectares of forest, and reached 500,000 people annually. The foundation has pioneered Indonesia’s first haze shelter, restored peatlands, conserved biodiversity, and trained women firefighters, while its storytelling and conservation models have influenced policy and inspired replication across scales. Grounded in community ownership and inclusive governance, Ranu Welum is a leading force for Indigenous-led sustainable development in Kalimantan and beyond.