Direct Support and Solidarity

The Borneo Project provides on-the-ground support for communities who are leading the fight against environmental destruction in Borneo. We don’t initiate our own projects on the ground; instead, we work closely with grassroots activists and small non-profits to provide grant funding, garner media attention, and organize communities in America and around the world to support their fight. 

STOP THE DAMS

The Borneo Project supports indigenous-led resistance on the expansion of 12 dams, which threaten tens of thousands of indigenous and frontline community members, as well threaten to flood hundreds of square kilometers of Sarawak’s last remaining rainforests. Click here to read more about the fight against dam expansion in Borneo.

Here is a sample of our support efforts:

  • Building a US-based coalition of NGOs to help fund the initial meeting of the SAVE-Rivers network 
  • Facilitating over US $10,000 in grants to the SAVE-Rivers network
  • Publicizing  SAVE-River actions and organizing efforts to a US audience via our website and social media
  • Organizing with an international network to pressure Hydro Tasmania to sever ties with Sarawak Energy 

 STOP CORRUPTION IN SARAWAK

For the last 30 years, Sarawak has been governed by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud (pictured above, second picture from the left), one of the most corrupt politicians in Southeast Asia. While Taib has profited from the destruction of Sarawak’s rainforest, indigenous communities have lost their land, the source of their livelihood, and have been increasingly marginalized. The Borneo Project is supporting activist efforts across Borneo by bringing attention to Taib’s corruption internationally. Click here to read more about Taib’s corruption in Sarawak.

Here is a sample of our support efforts:

  • Holding protests at Taib-owned buildings in Seattle and San Francisco
  • Publicizing anti-Taib actions and reports on our website and in social media to garner increased attention 

SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM 

The Borneo Project partners with the Global Greengrants Fund, as well as private donors, in order to provide small grant funding  to activists in Borneo.
 
Here is a list of some of our recent grants: 
  • $4,500 to SAVE-Rivers Sarawak to support their founding meeting
  • $4,000 to PACOS to support environmental education efforts in Penan Preschools 
  • $10,000 to fund the Penan Preschools themselves, including school activities, materials, supplies, and food 
  • $3,000 to the Sarawak Dayak Iban Association to help replace computers and other office equipment that was  confiscated by police
  • $2,500 to lawyer Baru Bian to help support communities fighting land rights cases in Sarawak 

 TWO DECADES OF DIRECT SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY

Our on-the-ground work over the years has included mapping workshops, GPS/GIS trainings, micro-hydro projects, tree planting initiative, and community gardens. Click here to learn about 20 years of Direct Support and Solidarity.