- Posma Sariguna Johnson Kennedy*
- The Center for Defense Economics, Environmental, Social, and Governance Studies, and Toba Caldera (CEDESG-TC)of the Faculty of Economics and Business Universitas Kristen Indonesia
Crowd planting is a community‐based approach to environmental restoration that emphasizes active local participation in project planning and implementation. This paper examines a crowd planting initiative in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, where community involvement is crucial to the success and sustainability of reforestation efforts. By leveraging local knowledge, building trust, and providing socio‐economic incentives, the initiative aims to foster a sense of ownership, enhance local welfare, and strengthen ecological resilience. The study reviews the participatory strategies implemented, the socio-cultural dynamics influencing community engagement, and the challenges encountered, ultimately offering insights and recommendations to bolster community‐driven restoration efforts in Lembata.
