PATHWAYS

Local Livelihoods

Local livelihoods are central to community resilience in the remote coastal and island regions where Atlas Pearls operates. In many of these communities, formal employment, reliable income and access to markets can be limited, making local jobs, temporary work, small enterprise and procurement opportunities especially important.

Through our Local Livelihoods pathway, Atlas Pearls supports direct and indirect economic opportunities for surrounding communities. This includes prioritising local employment where practical, creating temporary work during harvests and major projects, purchasing goods and services from local suppliers, and supporting small-scale producers, farmers, fishermen and community enterprises.

Our approach recognises that economic value is strongest when it remains connected to the communities where it is generated. Wages, local procurement and enterprise support can contribute to household income, strengthen village economies and build skills that extend beyond our direct operations.

Local livelihoods also strengthen the relationship between our sites and surrounding communities. By working with local workers, suppliers and producer groups, Atlas Pearls helps create practical income pathways while supporting more inclusive and resilient local economies.

FY26 Achievement

80% of Employees were hired from surrounding areas.

100 Temporary workers were engaged durig harvest and selection activities

  • Impact Project: SME Support & Women’s Economic Empowerment

    Small and micro-enterprises play an important role in local economic resilience, particularly in communities where formal employment and market access may be limited. For many households, small businesses provide supplementary income, build skills and create opportunities for greater financial independence.

    Through its Local Livelihoods pathway, Atlas Pearls supports community enterprises through practical assistance such as training, equipment, mentoring, product development and market readiness. This support is designed to help local entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses while keeping more economic value within the communities connected to our operations.

    SME Spotlight: KWT Dharma Kerti

    In Patas Village, North Bali, Atlas Pearls supports the Dharma Kerti Women Farmer Group, a community organisation that empowers women through local economic development. The group helps women farmers build skills, improve productivity and create small business opportunities using local resources.

    Since 2021, Atlas Pearls has supported the group’s Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) enterprise through training in production techniques, packaging, hygiene standards, business management and marketing. To strengthen production capacity, Atlas Pearls has also provided equipment including coconut grating machines, production containers and work tables.

    Members have developed the skills to produce high-quality VCO using a three-stage filtration process, increasing the value of local coconut resources and supporting small-scale enterprise development. The program has also expanded to include value-added products such as sweet soy sauce made from coconut water, creating additional income opportunities.

    Through training, equipment, product diversification and business development support, Atlas Pearls is helping strengthen women's economic participation, local enterprise growth and more resilient village economies.

  • Impact Project: Fisherman Partnership

    Indonesia’s coastal communities have long depended on small-scale fisheries for food security, income and local economic resilience. Across many of the regions where Atlas Pearls operates, fishing is not only a livelihood, but a central part of community identity and daily life.

    South Sea Pearl farming and fishing share the same coastal environments and depend on healthy marine ecosystems. Building constructive, long-term relationships with neighbouring fishermen is therefore an important part of operating responsibly.

    These relationships are founded on mutual respect, open communication and a shared interest in maintaining productive marine environments.

    Through the Fishermen Partnership Program, Atlas Pearls provides practical support to recognised fishermen groups and village representatives. Assistance is identified through consultation and tailored to local needs, helping fishermen maintain safe, reliable and productive fishing operations without replacing traditional fishing practices.

    During FY26, support was provided in Alor and Banyubiru. In Alor, equipment including fishing rods, nets, ropes, headlamps, floats and other essential items was provided to 79 fishermen across 15 community groups in Moru and Wolwal. In Banyubiru, assistance was provided to six fishermen groups representing 424 members from Kedungrejo and Tembokrejo, with equipment tailored to different fishing methods used in the area.

    The program reflects the broader intent of Atlas Pearls’ Local Livelihoods pathway: strengthening local economic resilience while building trusted relationships with the communities who share the coastal environments where we operate.

    In FY26 the following was acheived:

    79 Fisherman supported in Alor
    15 Community Groups supported in Noru and Wolwal villages
    6 Fisherman groups supported in Banyubiru
    424 members represented in Banyubiru fisherman groups