The partnership, spanning more than 12 years, has reached over 39,000 independent smallholders and supported sustainable management practices across 357,000 hectares. In Indonesia, programmes in Sanggau and Landak have strengthened the capacity of 1,254 farmers and helped 627 smallholders progress towards RSPO certification.
PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — Civil society organization Solidaridad and global consumer goods company Henkel have received the RSPO Excellence Award for Shared Responsibility 2026 at the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) annual conference, RT2026.
The award recognizes the two organizations’ commitment to strengthening sustainable palm oil supply chains while promoting independent smallholder empowerment and environmental protection.
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The RSPO Excellence Award for Shared Responsibility recognizes RSPO members demonstrating leadership in implementing the organization’s Shared Responsibility principles. The assessment considers performance, reporting credibility, transparency of commitments and tangible support for independent smallholders throughout the supply chain.
Partnership Reaches More Than 39,000 Smallholders
The collaboration between Solidaridad and Henkel, which has lasted more than 12 years, demonstrates how the Shared Responsibility principle can be translated into practical action to improve palm oil supply chain sustainability.
The partnership has been extended through 2029, with the aim of expanding its impact across Henkel’s key sourcing regions, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Colombia.
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Over the course of the collaboration, the two organizations have reached more than 39,000 independent smallholders across Asia, Latin America and West Africa, while supporting sustainable management practices across more than 357,000 hectares of land.
The initiative has also connected independent oil palm smallholders in Colombia to Henkel’s global supply chain through the FARM2BAR programme.
In addition, the partnership has encouraged greater adoption of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO) and strengthened independent smallholder participation in the industry’s transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable business model.
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Indonesia Programme Strengthens Smallholder Capacity and Landscape Management
In Indonesia, the strategic partnership implemented in Sanggau and Landak between 2022 and 2025 delivered several achievements in smallholder development and sustainable landscape management.
Solidaridad and Henkel supported efforts to strengthen land legality and traceability across 1,914 hectares of oil palm plantations, alongside the digitalization of data covering 846 independent smallholders organized into 53 farmer groups.
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A total of 1,254 farmers received training in sustainable agricultural practices, while 627 smallholders progressed towards readiness for RSPO certification.
The programme also contributed to improved productivity among participating smallholders and strengthened landscape management initiatives.
One notable achievement was support for the issuance of a Village Forest permit covering 3,929 hectares in Senyang Bentuang, benefiting 740 families.
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The initiative also encouraged multi-stakeholder collaboration through the Sabang Merah Berdompu Forum, providing a platform for cooperation among relevant stakeholders in advancing sustainable plantation management.
Long-Term Collaboration Recognized
Commenting on the achievement, Solidaridad Indonesia Country Manager Yeni Fitriyanti said the award reflects the strength of long-term partnerships in building resilient palm oil supply chains.
She emphasized that the collaboration demonstrates how improvements in smallholder livelihoods can go hand in hand with environmental conservation.
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Vincentius Sudirman, Chairman of KUD Permai Sanggau, added that the programme had improved farmers’ understanding of sustainable cultivation practices, traceability and the importance of maintaining plantation productivity over the long term.
The award was dedicated to the independent smallholders, partner palm oil mills and the Solidaridad and Henkel teams whose collective efforts have helped advance a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable palm oil supply chain.
The recognition at RT2026 highlights the importance of sustained cooperation between companies, civil society organizations and smallholder communities in translating sustainability commitments into measurable outcomes across palm oil-producing regions. (P3)
