Civil Society in Eastern Indonesia

In Eastern Indonesia, civic space isn’t simply shrinking—it’s uneven, contested, and constantly negotiated. This research explores on how civil society organisations and community groups work across Papua, Maluku, and North Maluku, and what helps—or hinders—their ability to organise, advocate, and sustain their work over time.

Using a qualitative approach grounded in conversations with civil society and youth groups, alongside mapping of local support and funding dynamics, we found sharply different pressures across the region.

Yet this is also a story of resilience. CSOs continue to adapt, and youth-led movements are increasingly visible—advancing environmental advocacy, cultural preservation, and civic participation, often through digital tools and new networks.

Strengthening civic space in Eastern Indonesia will require support that is fairer, more locally led, and more realistic: simplified administrative processes, sustained capacity-building (including staffing), stronger legal protections, and rapid-response mechanisms—especially for grassroots organisations working in remote and under-served communities.

Read the research report here.