Local products from Raja Ampat

A social enterprise in Waisai, Waigeo island

Since 2021, Reef Guardian e. V. has been supporting the marketing of ecologically sustainable products made in various villages of Raja Ampat, such as coconut oil, cacao beans, chocolate, sago, handicrafts, and jewellery. These local products can be purchased at the Matenhun store in Waisai , which also serves as a storage facility prior to resale to wholesalers. The marketing of local products is managed by a social enterprise operating under the umbrella of a local non-profit foundation (Yayasan Kamtabai Raja Ampat; YKRA).

The structures in place today result from two small projects that Reef Guardian implemented in 2021 and 2022 in collaboration with the local organisation “Forum Intelektual Suku Ma’ya” (FISM). These projects were originally initiated to compensate for the loss of income when tourism came to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The first project (2021/2022) focused on conducting workshops in four villages in Raja Ampat to raise awareness of the income opportunities offered by sustainable local products. In the second phase, those interested in marketing local products received coaching on market access, pricing, and basic business logistics. 

The first project revealed that transporting local products to Waisai—where daily ferries connect to the Papua mainland—and their subsequent marketing posed considerable, often insurmountable, challenges for producers living in remote indigenous villages. A second project, launched together with FISM in late 2022, therefore provided funding for the purchase of a longboat for transport between villages and Waisai, as well as for the establishment of a store for local products in Waisai. The resulting logistics infrastructure also enables storage for resale to wholesalers. In addition, professional photographs were produced to better present and communicate the local products.

A further project implemented in 2024 enabled several small-scale investments, including a refrigerator, solar power system, boat engine, and small jetty, to further strengthen the social enterprise and optimise its operations. In 2025, with support from local public authorities, a second Matenhun store was opened at Waisai’s new market (“Pasar Baru”).

Promoting sustainable local products indirectly contributes to the protection of Raja Ampat’s unique flora and fauna by reducing pressure on tourism as the primary source of income, while ensuring that local production does not harm the natural environment. The marketing of local products also generates additional resources for local marine and coral reef protection efforts. To underscore this commitment, village heads (“kapela desa”) have signed letters of intent on behalf of their communities, pledging to protect nearby reefs. In addition, YKRA’s team regularly uses transport runs to monitor reef conditions.

What a donation can support..

Reef Guardian e. V. supports the purchase of equipment and the further development of the social enterprise, while running costs are covered by revenues from the sale of local products. Items still needed to fully realise the potential of local production include a refrigerator, a photovoltaic system with battery storage for power outages, and presentation equipment for workshops.