As a government research institution, LIPI is an ideal project partner for MEPS. LIPI, the government body for science and research (including national CBD focal points), first proposed the MEPS programme. Sugeng Budiharta, with expertise in land-use planning and decision science, coordinates a team of community facilitators. Responsibilities include dialogue with governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as local communities at case-study villages. Budiharta has a track record in Kalimantan, working on decision support tools for forest management.