EIB, EU Partners Lead Cleanup and Reef Restoration Effort in Indonesia’s Islands

The region has faced growing threats from marine pollution, coastal erosion, and declining coral ecosystems, prompting urgent action.

The European Investment Bank (EIB Global), together with Team Europe representatives—including the EU Delegation to ASEAN, embassies of EU member states in Jakarta, Indonesian authorities, civil society groups, NGOs, researchers, students, and local residents—conducted a large-scale environmental initiative in Indonesia’s Thousand Islands archipelago. The region has faced growing threats from marine pollution, coastal erosion, and declining coral ecosystems, prompting urgent action.

The effort, organized under EU Green Diplomacy Week, showcased the power of international collaboration in addressing environmental challenges while supporting local communities in safeguarding marine ecosystems.

Cleanup and Coral Restoration on Gusung and Macan Islands

The EIB worked closely with the Langit Biru Pertiwi Foundation to carry out two major activities:

Gusung Island Marine Cleanup

Participants collected more than 130 kg of marine waste within the first 30 minutes, highlighting the scale of pollution affecting the archipelago. Debris included plastics, fishing nets, and other materials that threaten marine life and accelerate coastal degradation.

Macan Island Coral and Habitat Restoration

Teams helped restore damaged coral fragments by securing them onto artificial substrates to stimulate reef regeneration. The initiative also included the release of juvenile clownfish raised in protected nurseries, aiding the recovery of vulnerable reef habitats and restoring ecological balance.

Combined, the activities demonstrated practical, community-driven environmental stewardship that contributes to long-term marine health.

Leadership Remarks: Small Actions Driving Big Change

EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer, who oversees EIB operations in Indonesia, emphasized the shared responsibility of protecting marine ecosystems: “Global change often begins with small actions taken by committed people on the ground.” She reaffirmed EIB Global’s strong partnership with Indonesia to advance sustainable development and promote environmental resilience.

Sunita Lukkhoo, Head of EIB Group for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, who led the on-site campaign, noted: “These activities may be small in scale, but they show how targeted action contributes to broader environmental goals.”

EU Ambassador to ASEAN H.E. Sujiro Seam drew inspiration from the late Kofi Annan, highlighting that seemingly small contributions can spark meaningful impact: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven’t spent the night with a mosquito.” He stressed that the EU is committed not only to local initiatives like coral planting but also to large-scale climate and environmental cooperation involving governments, private sector actors, and community organizations.

Local Government Commitment to a Blue Economy

Representing the Thousand Islands Regency, Tri Indrawan welcomed the delegation and highlighted both the region’s potential and its daily struggles with plastic pollution and climate change. He reiterated local authorities’ commitment to developing a blue economy, in line with President Prabowo’s Asta Cita vision—leveraging sustainable resource use and community expertise to boost economic and ecological resilience.

A Model for International Environmental Cooperation

The initiative reflects how EIB Global, Team Europe, and Indonesian partners can work together to deliver tangible environmental benefits—from cleaner coastlines to revitalized coral ecosystems. It also demonstrates the importance of grassroots engagement, scientific collaboration, and cross-border partnership to protect marine environments across Southeast Asia.

As environmental challenges intensify, such collaborative actions serve as a blueprint for scaling up conservation and climate resilience efforts across the region.