Malaka Regency, NTT, August 26, 2025 – An enthusiastic atmosphere was felt at the village-level stakeholder meeting held in Malaka Regency. This meeting is an important step in forming a Community Task Force that will play a role in the management of the Mota Masin Watershed (DAS) at the site level, as part of the implementation of the Timor Island Watersheds Management (TIWA) Program or MITLTW.

A total of 18 participants (7 women and 11 men) were actively involved in the discussion, including traditional leaders, religious leaders, representatives of farmer groups, youth, women, to the border task force of the Republic of Indonesia (RI) – the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (RDTL). They formulated various measures to preserve watersheds, ranging from prohibiting deforestation and slashing practices, encouraging reforestation, protecting customary forests, to including conservation efforts in village development plans. These inputs are in line with the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the Forestry Sector between the Republic of Indonesia and RDTL signed by the governments of the two countries since 2020.

"There are still many people who do not understand the relationship between a healthy watershed and the sustainability of their lives. Education is the key," said one of the participants.

Not only focusing on the environmental aspect, the participants also highlighted the importance of involving vulnerable groups such as women heads of households, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in the planning and benefits of the program. They hope that watershed management will not only protect the ecosystem, but also strengthen the social welfare of communities on both sides of the border.

The discussion also resulted in a proposal for a cooperation mechanism between the Community Task Force and the Joint Forest Working Group (JFWG). The principles of transparency, regular communication, and cross-border cooperation are the foundations that we want to uphold.

"We are ready to support all activities in watershed management, for a better life for the people of Indonesia and Timor-Leste," said the participants at the end of the meeting.

On the same occasion, a discussion was also held on the Accountability and Grievance Mechanism (AGM). Discussions related to the same thing were also held during a Meeting with Stakeholders in Atambua, August 20, 2025. The public is invited to formulate information channels and complaints so that the TIWA program runs accountably and responsively. In addition to telephone, SMS, WhatsApp, and email, participants proposed additional channels in the form of direct reports to InTI staff in the field, village officials, community task forces, and even sub-district heads.

"The important thing is that complaints are followed up within a maximum of one week," said the aspirations of the meeting participants.

This multi-stakeholder meeting of watersheds in Malaka is the first step taken by the TIWA program to map stakeholders in the Mota Masin Transboundary Watersheds to initiate the formation of the Joint Forestry Working Group (JFWG) and also the Community Task Force, and the meeting is also the first step to invite communities in the Mota Masin Watershed Area in Indonesia to not only become beneficiaries of the program,  but also plays a key role in maintaining common natural resources. Through the Community Task Force and mechanisms to maintain accountability, the TIWA/MITLTW Program further reaffirms its commitment: to encourage multi-stakeholder cooperation in ensuring sustainable water and forest governance, to achieve sustainable border communities. (InTI)