See Nuanu through Social and Environmental Impact Lenses

Nuanu, a 44-hectare creative city on Bali’s southwest coast, is emerging as a model for sustainable, inclusive investment that puts people and the planet first. Throughout 2025, Nuanu is not only cultivating a thriving creative ecosystem but also delivering tangible social and environmental impact across surrounding communities.

With a vision to elevate Bali to the global stage, Nuanu welcomes global partnerships and cross-sector collaboration. Yet at its core, Nuanu remains grounded and empowered by local talents. As per June 2025, 97% of Nuanu’s workforce is Indonesian, with 84% from Bali—making it a space for Indonesians to shape urban planning that puts community and environment first. From projects inside Nuanu to road infrastructure planning, Nuanu’s decision making is a consensus between the management, local governors, and also the central government focusing on Bali’s development path.

“Just to be clear, we are not here to shut the door on investment,” said Ni Luh Djelantik, Indonesia Senator for Bali. “We are always open to working with investors and institutions that are committed to building Bali in alignment with our values and legal procedures. Nuanu is one example of investment done right—especially in terms of the social and environmental impact it brings to the local community. However, this does not mean we will turn a blind eye to future developments. We will continue to monitor and support wherever we can to ensure that Bali’s identity is preserved.”

Social Impact

Through the Nuanu Social Fund (NSF)—allocated from 5% of total business revenue—Nuanu is committed to ensure the community is thriving, creating a self-sustained community from inside Nuanu to the surrounding area. Since Jan-Mar 2025, Nuanu has distributed Rp474 million fund (in 2024: Rp788 million) to the community through various initiatives.

Some of these initiatives resonate with NSF’s value in fostering collective pride spirit through the Bale Ganjur Program, supporting 150 young Balinese drummers from five Sekaa Teruna Teruni (youth groups) with regular performance opportunities and essential equipment. The value goes deeper in paying tribute and respect to Balinese annual most-celebrated tradition where the foundation provided equipment and in kind support worth Rp61 million for 13 Banjars in Desa Beraban to participate in Ogoh-Ogoh creation to celebrate Nyepi 2025. In 2024, during the same occasion, Nuanu’s biggest milestone is to bring Ogoh Ogoh to Burning Man, Nevada, as the first Indonesian art installation ever showcased in one of the biggest global events.

Beyond culture, Nuanu invests in high-impact initiatives led by local changemakers who are tackling urgent community needs with innovation and heart, such as: equipping 15 women entrepreneurs from Desa Nyambu through workshop and tools provision under LASKMI program; support talented 19-year old Balinese innovator Gusde to build pic-hydro electricity to support over than 100 farmers in Subak Uma Kumbuh under Dana Asa Kriya; free medical check up for 729 Desa Beraban residents under community health program; and providing vital women’s personal and sexual health workshop to 310 young women from Desa Kediri, Tabanan.

Environmental Impact

Nuanu’s commitment for the environment is above all, sustaining 70% of its land as green space and strictly no tree cutting policy. This pledge provides solid proof that development projects should never outcast the importance of balance between innovation and tradition. Nature should always be first. Electric vehicles have become the official public transportation.

Nuanu’s approach to waste is meticulously planned from the beginning. This is how Nuanu’s recycling rate has reached 95% of all waste generated on-site. This is possible if we always put nature and circular urban planning as top priority, collectively with the experts building a city that is truly green and community-centric.

Protecting biodiversity remains central to Nuanu’s environmental mission. Recent efforts include: A 20% increase in butterfly survival rates; conservation of 400+ native plants; planting over 15,000 trees using Miyawaki method; and the preservation of 500+ orchids.

“We are eager to do things together and do them in a right way,” said Lev Kroll, CEO of Nuanu Creative City. “One of our ideas behind Nuanu is to prove that investing into community building and nature should be done not just because it’s a right thing to do, but because it’s a valid business strategy. Doing the right things also helps us attract the right people – investors, partners, guests and creates a lot of value for us as a project in the long run.”

Nuanu embraces a double bottom line philosophy—balancing financial sustainability with meaningful social and environmental contribution. This approach serves as the foundation of every decision made, ensuring that economic growth always goes hand in hand with positive impact for both people and the planet.

Lev continues, “Every day is a learning curve for us – getting feedback and ideas help us immensely. We are grateful for every feedback, ideas, and critical view on what we do and we never stop searching for new ways to integrate nature, technology, and the amazing culture of Bali.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Nuanu Creative City