DANA and Ant International, in partnership with Konservasi Indonesia, launched a new sustainable digital conservation initiative called Ocean Buddy (10/10). This interactive mini program, integrated within the DANA app used by 200 million registered users in Indonesia, aims to support marine conservation efforts, especially the protection of whale sharks along the southern coast of Java. The initiative was announced during the World Conservation Congress 2025, held by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Abu Dhabi.

Ocean Buddy: Combining Gamification with Marine Conservation

Inspired by Ant Forest, a pioneering global environmental program, Ocean Buddy offers an engaging educational experience through gamification and visually appealing design. Users earn cumulative experience points (EXP) and Impact Coins by completing daily digital activities like mini-games, cleaning the ocean, quizzes, and daily check-ins. EXP tracks lifetime scores that place users on leaderboards, while Impact Coins can be donated to real-world conservation projects such as marine mammal rescue training and whale shark habitat protection. All educational content is verified by Konservasi Indonesia, ensuring accuracy and credibility.

Strengthening Climate Resilience through Community Engagement

The Ocean Buddy initiative reflects DANA’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) vision of building climate resilience within Indonesian communities. Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic country, is a critical habitat for whale sharks, a species vital to maintaining marine ecosystem balance. However, Konservasi Indonesia research shows that whale shark populations in the Indo-Pacific have declined by 63% over the past 75 years due to strandings and other threats. By engaging the public digitally, Ocean Buddy fosters a collective responsibility for marine ecosystem preservation.

Ant International’s Role in Driving Inclusive Sustainability

Ant International launched its Sustainability Framework in June 2025, focusing on cross-sector collaboration, inclusion expansion, and trust-building through fintech innovation. The company’s global Programme Sirius also introduced AquaViva at COP29 in 2024, aiming to enhance marine conservation through open collaboration. Leiming Chen, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ant International, emphasized the importance of partnerships: “By developing innovative solutions and sharing knowledge, we can create a greener and more prosperous future, from local to global levels.”

Collaborative Efforts for Long-Term Marine Protection

Vince Iswara, CEO and Co-Founder of DANA Indonesia, highlighted the urgent environmental challenges: “The environmental problem is increasingly real and urgent. Now, it’s time for the fintech industry to actively contribute technology that supports sustainability.” Tinton Galih Yudhianto, Director of Partnership and Communications at Konservasi Indonesia, stressed the collective role of society and sectors in preserving marine health through Ocean Buddy. The partners plan to expand the program’s reach and features, promoting ongoing education and action for marine conservation across Indonesia.

PHOTO: DANA

This article was created with AI assistance.