Land conversion and unsustainable livelihood have been the main drivers of the deforestation of the remaining South Sumatra’s mangrove in Sungsang area of Banyuasin Regency. CIFOR Indonesia, University of Sriwijaya, and South Sumatra Watershed Forum (Forum DAS Sumsel) are undertaking a Participatory Action Research (PAR) to develop locally accepted and sustainable business models in Sungsang Area that will eventually allow communities to generate sustainable incomes from mangrove restoration, strengthen local policies for mangrove restoration, and contribute to national and global mangrove restoration agendas. The project, which runs from 2021 to 2025 is supported by Temasek Foundation, Singapore. A total area of 15.28 ha in Sungsang IV and Marga Sungsang Village has been planted with mangrove seedlings, with overall survival rate of 55% as recorded in April 2024. Mangrove-based community businesses that have been growing are mangrove seedling production, ecotourism, tree adoption, and crab silvofishery. Engagement with local government to establish Mangrove Working Group (Kelompok Kerja Mangrove Daerah – KKMD) and village regulation for mangrove ecosystem management and protection has been initiated. Collaboration between CIFOR and partners in this project, including with local university, showcases the importance of role of science and multistakeholder collaboration to improve community-based practices in mangrove restoration.