Building Climate Resilience by Empowering Communities Through Participatory Action Research on the Island of Buru in Maluku, Indonesia

Asia Justice and Rights aims to equip both local and national actors with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources for their long-term efforts to strengthen accountability.

Between 1969 and 1979, the small Indonesian island of Buru hosted over 10,000 political prisoners, who were forced to cultivate land. In 1972, prisoners’ families were forcibly resettled to Buru and, in 1999, the island was engulfed in religious strife. After gold was discovered in 2011, mining attracted migrants, radically changing its environmental and social landscape.

This project uses participatory processes to document the impact of climate change; human rights violations; and ideas for local innovations that contribute to building green economies in Buru.

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• identify facilitators and map the impacts of climate change using participatory action research methods;
• undertake a needs assessment workshop on climate change and resilience in Buru
• in preparation for a climate action plan; and
• deliver seed funds for a community initiative identified and selected by the facilitators.

Dry Land Regenerative Agriculture for Sustainable Soil Fertility, Water Retention, Food Security and Climate Resilience

Yayasan Ekoturisme Indonesia works to eliminate poverty and promote culturally sensitive, sustainable social and economic development in the impoverished rural communities of East Bali, Indonesia, prioritising the health, nutrition and education of children.

In the village of Ban in East Bali, communities rely on farming, but there are no rivers, and the region is in a rain shadow, which means they are only able to plant during the four-month wet season.

Manikaji is one of the largest sub-villages, only accessed by steep, partly unmade dirt roads and has some of the most difficult terrain.

This project will deliver workshops to farmers and high school students on agricultural techniques to conserve soil and water, increase crop yields and build climate resilience.

With support from the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, the project will:

• identify and purchase suitable trees and vegetables for planting;
• conduct workshops and hands-on field training with a farmers group and high school students; and
• establish terraces with vetiver grass hedges to conserve soil and water, establish
• storage ponds to collect the runoff from behind the vetiver hedges, and plant suitable trees and vegetables.

Community Education and Engagement to Improve Climate Awareness and Soil Health in Bantul, Yogyakarta

Pemberdayaan Perempuan Memerangi Kemiskinan (PPMK) is a grassroots organisation that supports impoverished women through microfinance and broader agricultural, sanitation and education programs.

The Yogyakarta region of Indonesia is experiencing extreme weather events, including stronger rains and flooding, which are reducing agricultural production, soil health and overall economic stability. Bantul is a large agricultural area, where most people work as rice farmers, or labourers. Most farmers in Bantul are women, who have low income and very limited education, vocational training or knowledge about climate change.

This project will support female farmers in Bantul to increase their knowledge of climate change and learn agricultural adaptation approaches such as composting, waste management and community farming.

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• lease a farm-plot for the workshops and hire two local farmers to prepare the farm-plot, including developing dedicated compost and household waste sorting stations;
• deliver two workshops with participants on their experiences of climate change as farmers, and explore the link to weather changes, crop failures, food security, and climate adaptation;
• deliver eight practical workshops to 30 participants on waste management, soil health and composting and building community composts on the farm-plot;
• provide participants with materials to take home to continue skill development, including a rake, bucket, seeds and information manuals; and
• host an event to share learnings and show the community garden to family members.

Aquatic Weed Control to be used for Compost

Yayasan Konservasi Khatulistiwa Indonesia is a non-profit foundation that dedicates all its efforts to maintain biodiversity in various sustainable uses of the landscape.

The Mesangat-Suwi wetlands in East Kutai District provides opportunity for inland fishing, habitat for endangered wildlife, and protection against floods. Most of the surrounding wetlands have been converted to palm oil plantations, making these wetlands crucial in providing food security and resilience against droughts and floods. The growth of aquatic weeds degrades the wetlands by causing water bodies to shrink and blocking fishing grounds.

This project aims to increase the capacity of teachers to integrate social and natural environment context into the curricula, so that aquatic weed control efforts become part of the implementation of project-based learning carried out in schools around the wetlands.

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• deliver a technical workshop for 20 teachers to develop project modules which integrate study in the classroom, self-inquiry, field observation, and practice;
• deliver training to 20 teachers on making composting units for use in schools and the community; and
• set up an exhibition, presentation and video performance to illustrate the impact of the project to the community.

Participation of Persons Living with Disabilities in Disaster Preparedness Programs in Glagaharjo Village 

The Center for Improving Qualified Activities in the Life of People with Disabilities (CIQAL) implements programs for economic empowerment and advocacy efforts to support people living with disabilities to have an independent and prosperous life. 

In Glagaharjo village, Indonesia, people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups do not understand how to prepare and stay safe during a disaster. The local government and the village disaster response team do not maintain data on the number and characteristics of people living with disabilities in the village, and they lack sufficient understanding in how to support these vulnerable groups.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• establish a system for collecting data about people living with disabilities
• establish a system for collecting data about people living with disabilities
• prepare data collection tools and deliver training on their use • collect data about people living with disabilities
• deliver a workshop on the formation of disability groups and the preparation of standard operating procedures for evacuation and rescue in emergency situations, that provide special protection for people living with disabilities
• facilitate focus group discussions on accessibility and special needs for people living with disabilities in refugee camps and temporary shelter locations. 

Empowering Women as Sustainable Tourism Leaders in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area

Empowering Women as Sustainable Tourism Leaders in the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area  Coral Triangle Center invests in people to protect marine heritage, biodiversity and food security.    

Nusa Penida has a stunning and highly diverse coral ecosystem, which is visited by 300,000 tourists every year. Marine tourism provides significant income earning opportunities for locals.   This project aims to support gender equality and empowerment by supporting women entrepreneurs to establish a regional sustainable tourism network.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• establish a women’s leadership network of 10-15 women, who will undertake training in ecotourism topics such as biodiversity, conservation and guide programming
• co-create an eco-tourism trail that will provide sustainable options for tourism activities
• test run the eco-tourism trail with women participants from the network. 

 Disability Job Fair: Walk-In Interview

Disabilitas Kerja Indonesia is a start-up social enterprise which specialises in getting people living with disability into work.   

If people living with disability can find meaningful, paid work then they can make choices in life, contribute to their family and community, and be recognised as equal members of society with their own skills and talents.  

This project aims to help at least 30 people living with disability to get a job.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• deliver a two-day Disability Job Fair Walk-In Interview event, during which 100 people living with disabilities get the chance to have a face-to-face job interview with eight hiring companies
• undertake monitoring and evaluation with candidates and companies. 

Community Based Agroforestry in the Kubung Costumery Land, Central Kalimantan Community

Based Agroforestry in the Kubung Costumery Land, Central Kalimantan  Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) is working to protect wildlife, restore habitat, and improve the wellbeing of local communities in Indonesia.   

Palm oil plantation development in Indonesia – especially in Central Kalimantan – is progressing rapidly and threatening the environment and local culture. Due to the market price for palm oil increasing almost five times more in the previous year, local villagers are now interested in production, in addition to corporations.   

FNPF is supporting Kubung village to maintain and improve their traditional agricultural practices and avoid the temptation of palm oil production. This project will introduce an agroforestry activity by growing native species that have high economic value and improve soil fertility by producing organic fertiliser.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

•  deliver composting training to the Kubung community
• implement pre-planting activities like producing saplings and land preparation
• support at least 23 households to plant native species
• conduct post-planting monitoring and reporting. 

Sexual Health For Men: Sexual and Gender Deconstruction Among Sensitizing of Sexual Diversity for Men  

The Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (IPPA) in Yogyakarta works towards achieving responsible and inclusive families and society.   

A culture of heteronormative patriarchy exists in Indonesia, which causes oppression of women, LGBTQ+ people and people living with disabilities. In the Special Region of Yogyakarta, sexual and gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and people living with disabilities persist.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• deliver a series of seminars for village-based men to understand sexuality, gender, family planning, disabilities, and children's rights
• deliver a series of dialogues between the village-based men and LGBTQ+ people, women, people living with HIV and people living with disability
• deliver a social media and podcast campaign with the village-based men’s community to increase their confidence in fighting for sexual and gender diversity
• deliver a series of advocacy activities between the village-based men’s community and village and district governments. 

Innovative Seaweed Breeding and Seeding for Women’s Empowerment  

The Institute of Resource Governance and Social Change seeks to contribute to international, national and regional debates on resource governance, disaster governance, climate adaptation, health policy, knowledge governance and development studies in general.   

Savu is a remote island in eastern Indonesia, where there are limited job opportunities, particularly for women. While families may earn an income from seaweed harvesting, female-headed households struggle due to a lack of time, as well as physical and financial limitations.  

This project will develop options for realising a faster return on investment in seaweed production, by cultivating seaweed seeds for sale instead of full-grown seaweed. The project will train women to breed and develop seeds in beach huts through simple cultivation pools.  

• With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 
  build a seaweed seeding and breeding facility
• recruit a group of women to participate in the project
• assist participants to develop business plans for the production of seaweed seeds.  

Building Resilience of Women Weavers Affected by the Economic Impacts of COVID-19 in Bali  

Kopernik seeks innovative solutions to social and environmental challenges in Indonesia.  

Research by Kopernik found that women in Nusa Penida have experienced a reduction in income of 72 per cent, while the income of male respondents has been reduced by 52 per cent. This finding highlights the disadvantages that female workers are facing in terms of economic and income generating opportunities, which have been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

This project will advance economic empowerment of women weavers by equipping them with the skills to grow their micro-businesses, boosting their income, and empowering them at individual, household and community levels. Empowering women in the economy is central to achieving gender equality and to creating more sustainable and inclusive economies and societies. By reviving the traditional weaving practices, this project will bring positive benefits to traditional weavers in improving the livelihoods of their families and communities, while conserving Indonesia’s cultural heritage in an environmentally sustainable way.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• deliver training on natural dyeing techniques and develop a natural dyes catalogue
• deliver training and provide support on creative product development, marketing strategy, and promotion materials
• develop a wastewater recycling system to lower pH and colour parameters of wastewater from the yarns dyeing process so it can be discharged safely to the soil.  

Turning the Tide: How Women Can Participate in Marine Conservation Effort in West Sumbawa 

Lembaga Juang Laut Lestari (JARI) is working with communities in Gili Balu, Indonesia, to improve marine conservation in a way that supports local livelihoods and minimises environmental impacts.   Gili Balu’s marine ecosystem supports high value habitats such as seagrass, mangroves and coral reefs, which are home to many threatened species. However, the area is under threat from destructive practices such as dynamite fishing, unregulated tourism activities and land-based domestic waste entering the marine environment.  

This project provides an opportunity for ten local women to be involved in marine conservation and monitoring. The pilot will increase the selected women’s knowledge and skills in scuba and marine conservation activities, with potential for this then to be expanded using a train-the-trainer model.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• run a focus group discussion about the marine environment and conservation
• deliver snorkeling and scuba diving training
• deliver an ecological habitat monitoring workshop
• support women to work with fishers groups to develop monitoring plans and participate in coral and mangrove rehabilitation activities
• develop campaign materials about marine conservation and marine debris
• share photos and experiences in stakeholder meetings. 

Building Youth Groups for the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Padang

Nurani Perempuan Women’s Crisis Center works to prevent violence against women and support survivors of gender-based violence.  

The number of sexual violence cases in West Sumatra has been increasing. Children are vulnerable to being victims of sexual violence by those closest to them, and the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a spike in the reports because of the increase in time children spent at home.  

 This project aims to decrease sexual violence towards children, and to raise awareness in preventing this type of violence. This project will support young adults to protect themselves from sexual violence. Furthermore, the victims that have been silent will have the courage to speak, and the social environment is also expected to support them.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• coordinate with local leaders and youth to identify project objectives and form youth groups for the prevention of sexual violence against children 
• conduct focus group discussions with youth groups on topics relating to sexual violence
• increase the youth groups’ capacity for the prevention of sexual violence through workshops in gender and power relations knowing the body, recognising sexual violence protection against sexual violence digital media campaign training. 

Inclusive Tourism Development in Lombok

PILAR Indonesia is supporting local tourism projects in Lombok to increase the skills, knowledge and economic benefits for the community – particularly women.  

Lombok has experienced multiple natural disasters, which have taken a toll on lives and livelihoods. The COVID-19 pandemic also significantly impacted the tourism sector. One of the consequences of the region’s weak economy is that women are getting married at a very young age. PILAR aspires to create an alternative situation and collaborate with a local program (Muda Bijak) that focuses on empowering young leaders including women, to make a difference and become local champions. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• design and launch a new website to increase the visibility of the local experiences and wisdom
• integrate a booking system that can link to online travel agencies and international tour operators
• connect an e-commerce store to support local artisans establish a mutual partnership with other travel brands and associations. 

These efforts will lead to new tourism activities and opportunities for women, which also protect the environment and preserve culture

Mainstreaming Gender Equality in UIN Alauddin's Curriculum

  Gender equality is not an area of focus in the way UIN approaches teaching, research, and servicing the community.  This project will conduct a series of workshops to integrate gender equality into curriculum in the university and its departments.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• conduct workshops on the importance of gender mainstreaming for lecturers, heads of departments, head of research, head of community services, head of gender studies and child protection and head of quality assurance
• conduct a workshop on the integration of gender mainstreaming into the curriculum
• publish a guidance book of gender mainstreaming for lecturers in every department within UIN Alauddin to apply in teaching, researching and servicing community. 

Publication of Jurnal Perempuan 112 and 113

Jurnal Perempuan (JP) is the first feminist journal in Indonesia, which was developed in response to the lack of knowledge about feminism and gender justice in the country. One hundred and eleven editions have been published, with themes including sexual and reproductive health rights and human trafficking. This year, editions 112 and 113 will be published on feminist knowledge and women and the environment respectively. The journal is provided to more than 600 subscribers and published online in Bahasa Indonesian and English.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• publish Jurnal Perempuan 112 and 113 in printed and online formats
• hold two seminars and public discussions based on each volume, which will be attended by the public, academics, researchers, activists, private and public officials 
• deliver regular digital advocacy through electronic mail, social media and blog posts.  

Community-Based Disability Centre: A Community Based Rehabilitation Program for People with Physical Disability in Bali 

Yayasan Peduli Kemanusiaan (YPK) supports people living with disabilities in Indonesia.   

Through this project, YPK will develop a Community-Based Disability Centre (CBDC) to enable people living with disability to receive therapeutic services in their local community. The centre will also enable local communities to access the facilities, training, toolkits, and resources to strengthen their understanding and skills in how to provide support and therapy at home. This activity will be delivered in collaboration with the Bumi Sehat Foundation which is allowing the activity to be run in their facility in Nyuh Kuning Village, Ubud.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• provide rehabilitation services for 50 people living with physical disabilities at least once a week throughout the project period of 2022-2023
• conduct training and mentoring for 50 family members and five local volunteers 
• provide tele-rehabilitation/online services for consultation, monitoring, and evaluation of home program exercises. 

PUSPADI I coulBali’s Soft and Hard Skill Training Program for People Living with Disabilities

Yayasan PUSPADI Bali is the only non-government organisation in Bali providing high-quality mobility aids, education and training, and advocacy programs to people living with physical disabilities. 

People living with disability are more likely to experience adverse socioeconomic outcomes, such as lower education, poorer health outcomes, lower levels of employment, and higher poverty rates. There is a need to support people living with disability in Bali and East Indonesia to improve their job readiness in areas such as preparing resumes, English, using computers, self-confidence and motivation.   

Through this project, participants will undertake job and life skills training as well as a three-month apprenticeship in a workplace to help them prepare for working in the formal sector.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: • provide 10 people living with disability with training to improve their readiness for formal sector employment • educate employers about people with disabilities’ right to equal employment opportunities and encourage them to consider employing a person with a disability. 

Anti-Bullying Program for Early Childhood and Primary School in Banyuwangi, East Java  

Yayasan Tunas Cerdas Gemilang provides playgroup to Year 6 education services through Sekolahku-MySchool, Library services and training and research to support the education sector.   

Early childhood teachers in Indonesia have a low level of knowledge about gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) concepts and practices, and how to integrate these with educational activities. This causes discrimination and the exclusion of marginalised groups at school and in the broader community. 

 This project will improve the competencies of 40 early childhood teachers in Indonesia.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• support 20 kindergarten and 20 primary school teachers to visit kindergarten and primary school classrooms at Sekolahku-MySchool in Yogyakarta to observe how a model of the GEDSI ideals works 
• support the participating teachers to apply their learnings into their classroom plans, actions and interactions with children 
• support lead teachers to demonstrate their improved understanding, skills and knowledge of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics, through workshops for their local peers
• recruit leaders to become managers of district GEDSI training for new and low-performing teachers. 

Empowering women health volunteers to become agents of social change  

Yayasan Usaha Mulia (YUM) works with communities in Indonesia to provide holistic and sustainable support in the areas of community development, health and education.   

Indonesia is home to over eight million children who are stunted, a condition defined as the failure to reach one’s potential growth and development due to insufficient nutrient intake, poor hygiene and frequent infections.   For most Indonesians, the health post is the only continuous interaction they have with a formal health system. These monthly gatherings are operated by village health volunteers, mostly women.  

This project aims to empower women health volunteers in West Java to become community leaders and train and mentor other women health volunteers to reduce incidents of stunting.   

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• train 15 women health volunteers in leadership, advocacy, networking and how to make existing resources more beneficial to the community
• deliver a series of trainings to reinforce the women health volunteers’ knowledge of stunting, child development and pre and postnatal care
• support at least 10 women health volunteers to become community leaders, who provide mentorship and training on stunting, child development and pre and postnatal care to 40 other women health volunteers in their communities
• promote awareness of stunting in 10 health posts, reaching 1,500 community members, especially families with pregnant mothers and small children.  

Documentary Film Production Training for Staff and Volunteers on Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion Issues

The Indonesian Planned Parenthood Association (IPPA) in Yogyakarta works towards achieving responsible and inclusive families and society.   

A culture of heteronormative patriarchy exists in Indonesia, which causes oppression of women, LGBTIQ+ people and people living with disabilities. In the Special Region of Yogyakarta, sexual and gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people and people living with disabilities persist. 

This project aims to increase the capacity of IPPA staff and volunteers in advocating on the fulfillment of sexual and reproductive rights and health through documentary films. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will:

• deliver training in sexuality, gender equality, disability, social inclusion, reproductive health and human rights for staff and volunteers
• deliver training in research, scriptwriting and video camera techniques
• support the launch of documentaries made by staff and volunteers. 

Strengthening Lembaga Pengkajian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (LP2M)’s Branding as an Organisation that Cares for Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion through Digital Campaigns. 

LP2M is contributing to the realisation of gender equality, disability inclusion and social inclusion in Indonesia. To achieve this, the organisation must advocate for public policies and educate the public through digital campaigns. However, LP2M staff do not currently have skills in creating digital campaign content. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• deliver training to eight LP2M staff and local youth volunteers in campaign content writing, graphic design, podcast and YouTube recording and editing and advocacy
• enable campaign content to be regularly published on LP2M’s social media

Strengthening Organisational Capacities Through Youth Training and Increasing Awareness About Marine Conservation in the Coastal Area of MPA Pieh, Indonesia  

Pieh is a marine protected area which is home to protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Local communities are heavily dependent on fishing as their main source of income, and unsustainable and illegal fishing are threatening the biodiversity. There is little awareness and lack of knowledge about marine conservation in the area. 

This project will provide training in environmental education for youth and local teachers who will implement projects and campaigns on marine conservation in schools. In cooperation with the local government and newly trained experts, a marine conservation school curriculum will also be developed.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

•  train 10 staff and volunteers in marine conservation topics 
• work with newly trained experts to deliver a marine conservation program for 100 students across five schools • create videos, posters, booklets and banners for the campaign 
•  deliver a seminar for local NGOs, government, teachers, trained experts, youth volunteers and universities on the need for marine conservation curricula •
• develop marine conservation curricula and present to all stakeholders.  

Service Strengthening: Improving Access to Palliative Care Education to Benefit Children Living with Serious Illnesses

Yayasan Rumah Rachel (also known as Rachel House) is a home-based children’s palliative care service provider in the Greater Jakarta area, focussing on pain and symptom relief.  Close to 700,000 children diagnosed with serious illnesses in Indonesia are living in pain, and less than 1 per cent have access to pain relief or palliative care. 

This project will provide better access to palliative care support, guidance and education to parents and caregivers of children living with serious and terminal illnesses, particularly in rural areas  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• produce a series of animated educational videos based on the Children Palliative Care: Guidebook for Caregivers, which Rachel House developed in 2020, to ensure these messages reach rural or illiterate families
• produce video training materials and educational booklets to help improve the capacity of health workers in the community
• translate, produce and distribute palliative care textbooks to improve palliative care skills and knowledge for health care professionals throughout Indonesia.  

Addressing the barriers to the Friends of the National Parks Foundation's digital marketing strategy

The Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) works to protect wildlife, restore habitats and help communities in Indonesia. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has halted the flow of international travellers to Indonesia, which has limited the number of volunteers at FNFP centres. As a result, FNPF has invested in digital marketing to communicate about environmental issues to local, national and international audiences. However, these activities have been hindered by a lack of equipment, software and budget. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• purchase digital marketing equipment, software and social media advertising
• provide photography training at the Kalimantan, Nusa Penida, Bali and Besikalung centres to increase FNPF’s photo and video content
• run youth engagement activities in Nusa Penida and Kalimantan to raise awareness of environmental issues and how to use photography to protect local wildlife.

The equipment will be maintained in accordance with product care instructions to ensure the sustainability of the project.

Enhancing technical training to support underprivileged young people find employment 

Lembaga Profesi Teknik dan Manajemen Makassar (LPTM) will deliver the technical training demanded by the local job market to underprivileged youth in Makassar.

In Indonesia, industries such as construction, railways and mining are rapidly growing. Trade skills in heavy machinery operations and mechanics, for example, can help more young people find employment. ‍

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• develop an automation tool to improve efficiency in the program’s administration
• introduce online learning modules to reach a wider audience inclusive of all genders and people with special needs
• engage with the community about the importance of training and education through workshops on training programs, exhibitions, and community family days.

These activities will improve the accessibility of the training program by reducing its administrative costs, making online modules available to more people and supporting community awareness of the importance of skilled training.

Getting young people with disabilities ready for work ‍

Disabilitas Kerja Indonesia (DKI) is a start-up social enterprise which specialises in getting people with disabilities into work. ‍

By providing specialised training in areas that are in demand from employers, young people with disabilities can improve their prospects for work. Once people with disabilities find meaningful, paid work they also tend to make life choices, contribute to society and be recognised for their skills and talents.

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• appoint trainers to deliver training on workplace skills such as teamwork and punctuality; office administration; Excel and warehouse skills
• select 30 young people with disabilities to attend training
• deliver four training sessions to help participants get ready for work Xprepare 50 training manuals, which will include guidance on how the approach can be improved for future training purposes.

The young people will benefit from improved specialist skills and training, which should give them greater confidence and knowledge about employer needs. It is expected that 30% of participants will obtain employment within six months of attending the training.

The project will be located in Jakarta as a pilot scheme which can be expanded to other regions and rural areas when further funding becomes available.

Building early career researchers' scientific writing and publication

Universitas Negeri Makassar (UNM) is ranked 35th in both international and national journal publications among Indonesian universities. As most reputable journals are published in English, it is challenging for the non-English speaking researchers at UNM to publish their work. Researchers at UNM, particularly early career researchers, require support in English academic writing, proofreading, editing, and publishing.
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The proposed project will provide academic publication capacity development to 10 project participants which will include: 1) an English for Academic Purpose course; 2) Publication Mentoring Program; 3) English Proofreading and Editing support and 4) Journal Publication Grant.

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will select 10 participants to take part in academic publication capacity development activities, including:

• a course in English for Academic Purpose
• support in proofreading and editing
• a publication mentoring program
• a journal publication grant
• a series of publication workshops to develop journal manuscripts that follow standards and criteria of accredited international journals.

The project will create a community of early career researchers at UNM by encouraging the project participants to act as mentors to other researchers.

Building a support group for survivors of sexual violence 

The Nurani Perempuan Women's Crisis Center will form a support group for survivors of sexual violence in West Sumatra. It will hold workshops to develop a support group module, build participants’ capacity to understand the needs of survivors of sexual violence and enhance their advocacy skills.  

This project will target women survivors of sexual violence aged 17 to 30 years who have received consultation, assistance and recovery services from Nurani Perempuan Women's Crisis Center.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will deliver: 

• five-day workshops on identifying the needs of sexual violence survivors, understanding gender-based violence and building solidarity among participants 
• a two-day workshop on empowering participants and building advocacy skills  
• a three-day workshop to develop a framework and program for a sexual violence survivors group support 
• support group meetings for survivors of sexual violence on an ongoing basis. 

This project will help participants to strengthen and empower each other, becoming agents of change in their communities. They will understand the causes, drivers and solutions to preventing sexual violence. The support group will become an ongoing platform for survivors of sexual violence to build their self-confidence, social networks and resilience. 

Practical Skills Building Workshop 

PPMK (Empowering Women To Fight Poverty) will improve the earning potential of women and girls living in Bantul, Jogjakarta through practical workshops, microfinance, collaborative online forums and ongoing assistance. It will offer participants the opportunity for greater autonomy and to provide income for their families. 

PPMK (Empowering Women To Fight Poverty) will improve the earning potential of women and girls living in Bantul, Jogjakarta through practical workshops, microfinance, collaborative online forums and ongoing assistance. It will offer participants the opportunity for greater autonomy and to provide income for their families. 

Indonesian women with the lowest incomes tend to have very limited education or vocational training.  This limits job opportunities for these women, forcing them to work extremely low paying jobs. Women who start their own businesses have the greatest earning potential.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will provide: 

• workshops in trades relevant to participants’ interests to increase their earning potential in horticulture, mushroom farming, cooking and marketing 
• microcredit loans for participants to start a business 
• basic materials for participants to expand their businesses 
• opportunities to engage with broader social and professional networks as well as peer support groups for each trade.  

Participants will be selected from PPMK’s current clients. This project will provide participants with strong foundations to expand their businesses and reduce their business overheads.  It will empower participants, improving their self-esteem, decision making and access to opportunities. Ultimately, participants will have greater flexibility, autonomy in their work and personal lives. 

Solemen mental health outreach workshops 

Yayasan Solemen will conduct interactive workshops in rural Bali communities for families currently supporting people with an intellectual disability live. The project will foster greater understanding and care of people with an intellectual disability in these communities. 

Many families in rural Bali communities resort to pasung, the forced confinement of people with an intellectual disability. Although this practice has been banned since 1977, it is rarely enforced, with 15% of people with an intellectual disability reported to have been subjected to pasung at least once. Solemen has successfully identified, treated, rehoused and reintegrated people with an intellectual disability into the community. However, they continue to meet resistance from the community members. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, Solemen outreach workers will run workshops, including: 

• co-design of focus groups to inform the design of the workshop 
• interactive activities and opportunities to explore community members’ concerns 
• a promotional strategy including a booklet, video and resources in Indonesian 
• delivery of tend workshops 
• project monitoring and evaluation. 

This project will build greater acceptance and understanding of people with intellectual disabilities in rural Bali communities, reducing the likelihood of others being subjected to pasung in the future. It will empower people living with an intellectual disability by employing co-design principles that include them in planning, implementation and evaluation of this project. 

Black soldier fly farming for sustainable climate action and food security 

Celebes Global Act will reduce the environmental impact of organic waste in Makassar, Indonesia by recycling it into animal feed using black soldier fly larvae. The project will support small traditional chicken and fish farmers to produce insect-based protein feed. 

Organic content comprises 60% of Indonesia’s total waste. Black fly larvae can process organic waste into highly nutritious and affordable feed for poultry and fish.  

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, the project will: 

• identify the most appropriate black soldier fly larvae farming model for the Makassar community 
• recruit participants most likely to benefit from producing black soldier fly larvae feed for their poultry or fish farms 
• train participants to produce black soldier fly larvae for poultry and fish feed 
• support participants to implement black soldier fly larvae farming on an ongoing basis. 

The project will establish a community of farmers who use black soldier fly larvae to feed their stock. Participants will collect and use organic waste produced by households, markets and street-food vendors. It also aims to increase the Makassar community’s consumption of protein-rich food such as poultry and fish by supporting farmers to produce more affordable options. 

Zero waste initiative and permaculture garden 

The Coral Triangle Center will launch a zero-waste initiative in Sanur, Indonesia. It will incorporate composting, recycling, organic permaculture gardening, community outreach and visitor education. The project will reduce the amount of landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions generated by their facility and demonstrate techniques that promote food security.  

The Coral Triangle Center is an integrated learning space dedicated to marine conservation. It holds education classes and other innovative activities to visitors and local community members. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• develop a waste management plan for the Coral Triangle Center 
• construct a permaculture garden 
• train the program team 
• create visitor programs on waste management and permaculture gardening 
• engage with the local community. 

The Coral Triangle Center will invite their local community, focusing on women and school children, to learn about zero-waste strategies and permaculture gardening. All programs will be accessible to people with disabilities and will be delivered using an interactive and engaging format. 

This initiative will allow the Coral Triangle Center to provide education about waste management and organic permaculture gardening, using hands-on experiences as a powerful tool for learning. The waste management facility and permaculture garden will be designed to be replicated on a household scale, so participants will be inspired to adopt these ideas in their own homes. 

Safe drinking water sanitation and hygiene resilience 

Yayasan Besipa'e will help support the Besa community to move from dependence on short-term relief towards achieving long-term water, sanitation and hygiene outcomes. The project will provide training and resources for training and resources to boost the resilience of the community to future disasters. 

Cyclone Seroja hit Indonesia in April 2021. The Besa community was the most severely affected village in the Timor Tengah Selatan region. During the cyclone, household water sources were affected and residents needed alternative ways to access drinking water. While relief efforts can meet short-term community needs, long-term solutions are required to improve disaster resilience and household water security. 

With the support of the Australian Volunteers Program Impact Fund, this project will: 

• conduct consultation to identify community needs 
• purchase materials to construct household ceramic water filters 
• purchase reusable sanitary kits from local suppliers 
• deliver WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) training 
• deliver reproductive health, menstruation, hygiene and family planning training 
• deliver agricultural training that will help farmers to increase yields and food security, reduce erosion and discourage damaging land management practices 
• ‍construct low-cost hygienic ablution facilities that provide models for community members to replicate 
• conduct review and evaluation activities. 

Community members will be empowered and equipped to make decisions regarding how they will put WASH training into practice. This project will provide follow-up support as community members begin to implement training outcomes. It will prioritise local resources and employ local people, providing income during the disaster recovery period. 

Defending rights during the pandemic: building capacity of human rights defenders and enhancing community resilience during COVID-19

Asia Justice and Rights will support victims, build knowledge and equip change agents with the tools required to challenge abuses of power during the time of COVID-19.

Family food resilience and livelihoods during and after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Celebes Global Act (CEGAT) will help families affected by COVID-19 to enhance their food security and livelihoods, by supplying small aquaponics farming systems and training families in their use.

Measuring family resilience as parental mediation from children’s use of technology during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Bogor region, Indonesia

The Computer Science Department of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Bogor's IPB University will investigate parental mediation of child internet use during the COVID-19 pandemic, to determine the impact of internet use and effective strategies.

Increased income of marginalised communities in COVID-19 situations

To continue supporting small businesses that assist marginalised stakeholders including transgender people, sex workers and disabled communities, the PKBI DIY team will develop online marketing and physical display spaces for products.

Moving together building resilience of grassroots women facing the impact of COVID-19 in three districts in West Sumatra

Through training, workshops and discussions, the LP2M team will build the resilience of local women and help develop businesses and vegetable production, to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19.

Mari berkebun (let's garden!)

Yayasan Emas Hitam Indonesia will support families in their local community with vegetable and fruit seedlings, and train them and their children at workshops on how to care for plants, ultimately helping them become more self-sufficient.