Our story

Founded in 2001, Gili Eco Trust (Yayasan Ekosistem Gili Indah) is a non-profit environmental organisation based on Gili Trawangan, dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural environment of the Gili Islands.
Our story began after the devastating 1997–1998 El Niño, when widespread coral bleaching severely damaged the reefs surrounding the islands. At the same time, destructive fishing practices such as dynamite and cyanide fishing were placing even greater pressure on these fragile ecosystems.
Concerned local fishermen, community members and dive professionals came together with a shared vision: to protect the reefs that support the islands’ biodiversity, livelihoods and tourism. Through education, collaboration and conservation, the foundations of Gili Eco Trust were created.
Over the past two decades, our work has expanded far beyond coral reef protection. Today, Gili Eco Trust leads a wide range of environmental and community projects, including:
* Coral reef restoration through Biorock technology and coral gardening.
* Long-term marine monitoring and research.
* Sea turtle conservation through Proyek Penyu.
* Waste management, recycling and glass upcycling initiatives.
* Environmental education for schools, businesses and visitors.
* Community clean-ups and sustainability campaigns.
* Animal welfare programmes supporting horses and cats across the islands.
As the environmental challenges facing the islands have evolved, so have we.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought tourism to a complete standstill for almost two years. Without visitors, traditional sources of local funding disappeared overnight. Instead of giving up, we adapted—developing new conservation programmes, strengthening community partnerships and reaching supporters around the world through grants and international fundraising.
Today, our projects are made possible thanks to the generosity of individuals, foundations and organisations that believe in protecting the Gili Islands for future generations.

Our coasts and beaches are irreplaceable. Let’s save them.

How can you help

Every contribution—big or small—helps us continue our work.
You can support Gili Eco Trust by:
•⁠ ⁠🌿 Joining one of our Eco Tours or conservation activities.
•⁠ ⁠🪸 Becoming an Eco Warrior through our Coral Conservation and volunteer programmes.
•⁠ ⁠🛍️ Visiting our Eco Shop, where every purchase supports our environmental projects.
•⁠ ⁠🐢 Participating in our community events and conservation initiatives.
•⁠ ⁠💚 Making a donation through our international fundraising platforms, including GlobalGiving, Give.Asia or PayPal.
Together, we can continue protecting the coral reefs, wildlife and communities that make the Gili Islands such a unique place.
Protecting paradise isn’t the work of one organisation—it’s a community effort. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create a sustainable island.

To promote ecotourism and provide a healthy environment for working animals.
To restore our coral reefs and to replenish our natural fish populations.
To ensure that all waste created on Gili T is reduced to minimum levels and managed and separated properly for recycling projects where materials can be transported off the island.
To ensure the livelihoods of the local community is enhanced.

Act Now

At Gili Eco Trust, we believe conservation is a long-term commitment. While we are proud of what has been achieved over the past two decades, there is still much to do. Together with our partners, volunteers and local community, we continue working towards a healthier, more sustainable future for the Gili Islands.
Restore and Protect Coral Reefs
Continue expanding and maintaining our Biorock reef restoration programme, coral nurseries and coral gardening initiatives to help damaged reefs recover and become more resilient to climate change.
Protect the Marine Environment
Install, monitor and maintain additional environmentally friendly mooring buoys to provide safe boat moorings, reduce anchor damage and protect fragile coral reefs around the Gili Islands.
Build a Sustainable Waste Management System
Support FMPL in developing the island’s Integrated Waste Management Centre (TPST) into a sustainable resource recovery hub that maximises recycling, composting and upcycling, creates local employment and strengthens the island’s circular economy.
Work Towards Zero Waste
Reduce the amount of waste requiring disposal by promoting waste separation at source, recycling, glass upcycling, composting and innovative waste-to-energy solutions, with the long-term vision of creating a Zero Waste to Landfill island.
Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Expand initiatives such as Refill My Bottle and promote reusable alternatives to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics by residents, businesses and visitors.
Bring the Community Together
Continue organising weekly Debris Free Friday beach clean-ups and community events that bring together tourists, local residents, schools and businesses to improve the island while inspiring environmental awareness and responsibility.

Improve Animal WelfareContinue improving the welfare of Gili’s working and rescued horses through education, veterinary care, owner training and regular free veterinary clinics. We also aim to strengthen our support for cats and sea turtles through our Cats of Gili and Proyek Penyu programmes.

Monitor and Protect Our Ecosystems

Expand our long-term environmental monitoring programmes, including:
•⁠ ⁠Coral reef health
•⁠ ⁠Coral bleaching
•⁠ ⁠Coral nursery growth
•⁠ ⁠Water quality
•⁠ ⁠Marine biodiversity
•⁠ ⁠Anchor damage
•⁠ ⁠Marine debris
•⁠ ⁠Sea turtle nesting

Collecting reliable scientific data allows us to evaluate our conservation efforts, identify emerging threats and produce regular reports that guide future management decisions.
Inspire the Next Generation
Continue educating local communities, schools, businesses and visitors through Eco Tours, workshops, internships, volunteer programmes and Coral Conservation training, empowering more people to become active stewards of the environment.
Our Vision
Our vision is for the Gili Islands to become an internationally recognised model of sustainable island living, where thriving coral reefs, healthy wildlife, responsible tourism and a circular economy work together to benefit both nature and the local community.
Together, we can create cleaner islands, healthier oceans and a more sustainable future for generations to come. 🌿🌊🐢

Our Goals

Challenges & Opportunities

Our Challenges

Conservation on a small tropical island is both rewarding and challenging. Every success requires long-term commitment, collaboration and adaptability
Limited Infrastructure
Many environmental challenges begin with the lack of waste management, recycling and environmental infrastructure available on small Indonesian islands. Developing sustainable solutions often requires creativity, partnerships and long-term investment.
Raising Awareness
Creating lasting environmental change starts with education. Increasing awareness of the long-term impacts of pollution, habitat destruction, climate change and unsustainable development remains one of our greatest priorities.
Changing Behaviour Takes Time
Conservation is ultimately about people. Encouraging new habits and more sustainable lifestyles takes patience, trust and continuous community engagement. Real behavioural change happens gradually and requires education rather than enforcement.
Economic Challenges
For many local families, affordability is a daily reality. Environmentally friendly alternatives are often more expensive than single-use plastics or less sustainable products. Our role is to help make sustainable choices both practical and accessible.
Limited Resources
As a small non-profit organisation, we operate with a dedicated but relatively small team. While we are fortunate to welcome volunteers, interns and researchers from around the world, many stay only a few months. Continuously training new team members while maintaining long-term expertise requires significant time and commitment.
Sustainable Funding
Although tourism has recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic, funding conservation remains an ongoing challenge. Today, our projects rely on a combination of grants, international donations, fundraising campaigns, Eco Tours, our Eco Shop and the generosity of individuals who believe in protecting the Gili Islands.

Our Opportunities

Despite these challenges, we are optimistic about the future. Every year we see more people wanting to become part of the solution.
Responsible Tourism
An increasing number of travellers actively seek destinations committed to sustainability. This growing demand encourages local businesses to adopt more environmentally responsible practices and supports long-term conservation initiatives.
Community-Led Initiatives
We are proud to collaborate with and support inspiring local initiatives that share our vision. Projects such as Cats of Gili, Stud Horse Riding & Rescue, Proyek Penyu, and Suparman’s Treevolution demonstrate how passionate individuals can create meaningful change within their communities.
Volunteers & International Expertise
Our volunteers, interns and researchers bring valuable knowledge, professional skills and fresh ideas from around the world. Their diverse expertise helps strengthen our programmes, improve our conservation methods and build capacity within our local team.
Collaboration
Lasting conservation is only possible through partnership. By working with local communities, businesses, schools, universities, government agencies and international organisations, we can achieve far more together than any one organisation could alone.
Innovation
New technologies, scientific research and creative solutions continue to open exciting opportunities for reef restoration, marine conservation, waste management, citizen science and environmental education. We remain committed to embracing innovation while sharing our experiences with other island communities facing similar challenges.
Every challenge is an opportunity to innovate, collaborate and create a more sustainable future for the Gili Islands. 🌿🌊