Leuser International Foundation (LIF) is a non-governmental organization that strives to conserve the 2,6 million hectares of the national Leuser forest ecosystem located in the Aceh and North Sumatra provinces of Indonesia. The foundation has 30 years of conservation experience in the protection of natural resources and endangered species, community development, and capacity building for environmental stakeholders and policymakers. The foundation was founded in 1994 by several prominent figures, i.e. active ministers, environmental activists, academicians, and regional leaders from Aceh and North Sumatera provinces. As the oldest local conservation foundation in the region, LIF has strong relationships with various conservation stakeholders e.g. universities, local NGOs, and policymakers.
The first and largest program implemented by LIF was the Leuser Development Program/ LDP (1995-2004) funded by the European Commission/ EC - 31 million Euros and the Government of Indonesia/GOI - 6 million Euros. The major achievements of the project included the establishment of the Elephant Patrol Unit, the finalization of the delineation of Leuser Ecosystem boundaries, the rehabilitation of Singkil - Bengkung wildlife corridors, published and distribution of Buku Ajar Leuser (environmental textbooks) for schools in 11 districts located around the ecosystem. Among the major conservation victories achieved were; the closure of several road projects that would have destroyed the Leuser Ecosystem, the cancellation of six logging concessions and three inappropriately sited plantations, the termination of several swamp drainage schemes, and the saving of almost half a million ha of forest that would otherwise have been clear felled and converted to agriculture.
