Yayasan IAR Indonesia

Yiari and JPK collaboration: strengthening Gender and community-based Environmental Journalism

Environmental and sustainability issues are now getting more attention, especially in the midst of the rampant exploitation of Natural Resources (SDA) that have a direct impact on ecosystems and people’s lives. To help encourage the role of the media in raising these important issues, Yayasan Initiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) together with Khatulistiwa women journalists (JPK) held a writing workshop at Hotel Neo, Pontianak, towards the end of 2024.

The workshop is designed to strengthen journalists ‘ ability to cover environmental topics in greater depth and meaning. Participants are also equipped with an understanding of the management and conservation of natural resources, plus writing training so that the results of their coverage are sharper, informative, and have a real impact on the community.

“Maybe you’ve seen videos of orangutans who are confused about looking for a place to live because their habitat has been damaged—their land has become empty land. This is still an important issue that needs to be raised. In addition, there is also the topic of One Health , which is no less important. This concept explains how animal, natural, and human health are interrelated. If the animal is not healthy, it can affect humans as well,” explained Hasna, Yiari’s media and communication Supervisor.

The workshop was officially opened by the Secretary of YIARI, Marius Marcellius, together with the head of Khatulistiwa women journalists (JPK), Aseanty Pahlevi. In their remarks, both emphasized the importance of the role of journalists in maintaining public attention to environmental issues. They also highlighted how the media can be a powerful advocacy tool to encourage wiser and more sustainable management of Natural Resources.

JPK co-authoring workshop: enhancing journalist capacity in natural resources coverage

A total of 16 journalists from Pontianak, Ketapang, and Singkawang took part in this activity. Participants come from various media backgrounds, both print, online, and television. Interestingly, the majority of participants are female journalists who do have a high concern for environmental issues.

During the workshop, the participants got a lot of insight from the speakers who are experienced in their fields, such as Ganjar Krisdiyan (Assistant Manager Community Development YIARI), Sapariah Saturi (journalist Mongabay Indonesia), and Aries Munandar (editor Jubi and freelance journalist).

They discussed various strategies for covering environmental issues, the latest developments in natural resource management, and the challenges that often arise when writing conservation and sustainability news. In addition, participants were also invited to explore effective writing techniques and how to compose strong and data-based narratives.

In the next session, the discussion continued to the topic of Environmental Journalism Ethics and issue mapping, which helps journalists understand the principles of ethical coverage as well as the various obstacles they commonly face in the field.

Session 1: Exploring the conservation and management of Natural Resources

Sesi pertama dalam lokakarya ini dibuka oleh Ganjar Krisdiyan, Assistant Manager Community Development YIARI. In his presentation, Ganjar invited participants to understand more about the trend of natural resource management, conservation, and the importance of maintaining biodiversity. This material became the initial foundation to broaden participants ‘ horizons on increasingly urgent environmental issues in Indonesia.

Ganjar explains comprehensively what forests and forest areas are, and why biodiversity is crucial to ecosystem balance. He also highlighted real challenges on the ground, such as land conversion and increasing conflict between humans and Wildlife—phenomena that are increasingly occurring due to forest encroachment and overexploitation of Natural Resources.

Not only that, Ganjar also discussed various regulations related to wildlife protection, and explained the stages in conservation efforts suchas rescue, rehabilitation, and the release of animals back to their natural habitat. The discussion also highlighted the importance of active community involvement in conservation activities, both through community-based approaches and through policies that are more in favor of the environment.

Session 2: exploitation of Natural Resources, Energy Crisis, and Gender perspectives in Environmental Journalism

After the first session, the training continued with an explanation from Sapariah Saturi, a senior journalist from Mongabay Indonesia. In this session, Sapariah raised important issues around extractive industries, energy, and their impact on vulnerable groups—especially women and Indigenous communities.

Sapariah invited participants to take a closer look at the real impact of the fossil energy industry, especially coal, on the environment and public health. He also discussed the urgency of the transition to clean and sustainable energy, such as solar and wind power. On the other hand, he highlighted the government’s energy policy which is still considered too dependent on biomass and less in favor of environmentally friendly energy.

Sapariah also emphasized the importance of gender sensitivity in the coverage of environmental issues. Women are often the group most affected by environmental crises—from limited access to clean water to rising domestic burdens—but their voices still rarely appear in the media or in policy-making.

Through this session, participants are invited to be more sensitive in highlighting social vulnerabilities in the environmental crisis and how journalism can be a tool to fight for ecological justice and equality.

Session 3: Challenges and opportunities of Environmental Journalism

The next session was hosted by Aries Munandar, editor of Jubi and freelance journalist, who discussed various challenges as well as opportunities in covering environmental issues, especially in the West Kalimantan region. According to Aries, ecosystem damage cannot only be seen as an environmental issue, because the impact is very broad—including social, cultural, and economic aspects of local communities.

In his presentation, Aries explained how deforestation and forest degradation contribute to the disruption of the global carbon cycle and the increased risk of disasters such as floods. He also highlighted the complexity of forest management policies that are often influenced by political and economic interests, making the coverage of environmental issues a challenge that is not only technical, but also structural.

Another issue that is no less important is the loss of local vocabulary and traditions along with the destruction of nature. Aries reminded that the preservation of local culture and conservation of endemic animals need to be viewed as one unit in an effort to maintain the environment holistically.

This discussion opened the participants ‘ insight on the importance of exploring issues that often escape the spotlight of the mainstream media. With a more critical and in-depth perspective, journalists can present coverage that is not only informative, but also encourages real change at the community and policy level.

Discussion and exploration: developing impactful environmental coverage

As part of the interactive learning process, the participants also took part in an exploration session on the idea of coverage. In this session, they had the opportunity to consult directly with mentors, developing original, innovative, and potentially impactful coverage ideas for the community.

Not only listening to the material, participants were also actively involved in small group discussions. Through this discussion, they mapped various challenges and opportunities in the coverage of environmental issues. Some of the main challenges that arise include limited access to data, pressure from various stakeholders, to low media interest in environmental issues because they are considered less commercially selling.

However, this session encourages participants to keep looking for gaps and strategies in voicing environmental issues creatively and relevantly. Collaboration among participants and guidance from mentors help reinforce coverage ideas that are not only informative, but also able to arouse public awareness.

Together, let’s write for nature!

Community Empowerment: definition, concept, objectives, and strategy

Dear #konservasYIARI, have you ever wondered if a society can develop without the support and active involvement of its own citizens?

The answer is certainly no.

Community empowerment is the main foundation in creating sustainable change. Through this process, each individual is given the opportunity to independently improve their well-being and quality of life.

Empowerment is not just a slogan, but a real approach that emphasizes the importance of active community participation in development, both from economic, social, and cultural aspects.

Examples of this can be seen in activities such as handicraft exhibitions, cultural attractions, as well as the promotion of local products in tourist villages—these efforts not only strengthen cultural identity, but also become the driving force of the local economy.

In this article, we will thoroughly discuss the definition of community empowerment, the goals to be achieved, as well as concrete examples of its implementation in the field. Check it out!

What Is Community Empowerment?

Community empowerment is a structured process that aims to increase the capacity of individuals and groups in society so that they are able to control and improve the quality of life independently.

This concept focuses not only on providing momentary assistance, but also on improving access to resources, developing skills, as well as strengthening the position of society in decision-making.

In other words, empowerment encourages people to be the main actors of development, not just beneficiaries.

A study states that empowerment aims to create a society that is more independent and able to adapt to the challenges of the times, in order to create better and sustainable living conditions.

Legal Basis: Village Law

According to village Law No. 6 of 2014, specifically in item 12, Village Community Empowerment is a series of efforts to improve the independence and welfare of residents.

This effort is carried out through increasing knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors, and community awareness in utilizing local potential and resources.

The empowerment process is realized through the establishment of policies, implementation of programs, as well as activities and assistance tailored to the real needs and major problems faced by rural communities.

Community Empowerment Concept

The concept of Community Empowerment focuses on increasing the independence and capacity of individuals and groups to be able to take an active role in the development process.

According to the Community Empowerment textbook by A. Hasdiansyah, empowerment includes a number of key principles:

1. Active participation

Empowerment emphasizes the importance of direct community involvement in every decision-making process that concerns their lives.

Citizens are encouraged to express their opinions, provide input, and be involved in designing and implementing programs or policies that impact their communities. This participation is the main foundation so that development is truly in accordance with local needs.

2. Capacity development

One of the main goals of empowerment is to improve people’s ability to face challenges and take advantage of opportunities. This includes increased insight, technical and social skills, and access to relevant information and technology to sustainably improve their lives.

3. Control over resources

Communities need to have equitable access to and control of essential resources, such as land, water, raw materials, education, health services, and basic infrastructure. Control over these resources will strengthen people’s bargaining position and increase their economic independence.

4. Independence

Empowered communities are expected to be able to solve problems independently, take the initiative to innovate, and manage available resources without excessive dependence on outside parties. This independence creates community resilience to social and economic change.

5. Partnership dan kolaborasi

Empowerment cannot be done unilaterally. Collaboration between various stakeholders – such as governments, non—governmental organizations, the private sector, and local communities-is needed to create synergies in designing and implementing development programs.

This cooperation ensures effective and inclusive empowerment.

6. Social and cultural change

Empowerment also demands a transformation in social norms and structures that may limit the participation of certain groups, such as women, young people, or other vulnerable groups.

This change includes a shift in values towards respect for equality, inclusiveness, as well as strengthening people’s rights in various dimensions of life.

Community Empowerment Goals

Community Empowerment aims primarily to create conditions in which individuals and groups in the community have control over their own lives.

This goal covers various aspects, ranging from self-capacity building to the creation of a fair and inclusive social environment.

1. Increase Independence

One of the fundamental goals of community empowerment is to increase self-reliance, both individually and collectively. An independent society is able to manage its potential and resources optimally. In addition, they are no longer so dependent on outside help in solving problems, but are able to take the initiative and find solutions on their own.

2. Creating Social Justice

Another goal of empowerment is to create social justice by expanding access to education, health services, and economic opportunities for all levels of society, including vulnerable groups and communities in remote areas. By providing more equitable opportunities, empowerment can help reduce social inequalities and increase inclusion in the development process.

3. Strengthening community participation in development

Empowerment also aims to strengthen community participation in development. This is done by equipping them with relevant skills and knowledge in order to actively contribute. The community is no longer positioned as an object of development, but as a subject or prime mover capable of designing, implementing and evaluating development programs independently and participatively.

4. Improving Economic Well-Being

Another goal is to improve the economic well-being of the community through the creation of business opportunities, increased productivity, and access to a stable source of income.

With empowerment, people can build independent businesses, utilize business capital wisely, and expand their economic networks, so that living standards increase sustainably.

5. Strengthening solidarity and social cohesion

In addition to economic and capacity aspects, empowerment also aims to strengthen solidarity and social cohesion. Through joint activities such as gotong royong and community discussion forums, people learn to build cooperation and trust.

This is important for creating a harmonious and inclusive environment, as well as enhancing a sense of collective responsibility towards the betterment of the community.

6. Raising awareness of Rights and obligations

Empowerment encourages people to understand their rights and obligations as citizens.

With this increased awareness, people will be more active in social, economic, and political life, and more concerned about environmental issues and public policies that have a direct impact on their lives. This awareness is also essential to create a critical and participatory society.

Community Empowerment Strategy

In order for the goal of empowerment to be achieved, appropriate and contextual strategies are needed. This strategy must consider the needs, potentials, and challenges faced by each community.

1. Capacity building through training and education

One of the main strategies is to increase the capacity of the community through training and education programs. Technical skills training, financial education, and increased social literacy are important tools to strengthen the expertise and insight of the community.

This strategy also includes the development of self-potential so that individuals are better prepared to contribute to economic and social development in their environment.

2. Participation-Based Approach

This strategy places the community as the main actor in the entire empowerment process. Active participation in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program will increase the sense of ownership and responsibility of the community to the results of development.

This approach also rejects top-down methods and places more emphasis on adapting programs based on local needs and contexts, so that the results are more relevant and sustainable.

3. Access to resources and capital

The next strategy is to ensure that communities have adequate access to resources and capital. This includes the provision of business funds, production facilities, technology, and marketing support.

With this access, people can develop productive businesses independently and strengthen the economic foundations of their communities.

4. Community-Based Approach

Building social power through a community approach is also an effective strategy. The establishment of cooperatives, joint business groups (KUB), or local community organizations encourages collaboration, knowledge exchange, and mutual assistance among members.

This strategy strengthens social solidarity and becomes a means to solve problems collectively.

5. Support policies that favor the community

Empowerment also requires supportive public policies. Governments and related sectors need to create regulations that encourage community participation, facilitate access to capital, and protect citizens ‘ rights.

This one-sided policy will create a conducive climate for the growth of small businesses and the capacity building of society at large.

6. Utilization of Technology and innovation

The final strategy is to leverage technology and digital innovation to expand the reach of empowerment. Through online training, e-commerce, and digital financial services, people can access resources more efficiently.

Technology also allows communities in remote areas to stay connected and participate in the digital economy, provided the supporting infrastructure is available.

Examples Of Community Empowerment

Community empowerment can be carried out in various sectors of life such as the economy, education, and health. Empowerment programs typically involve active citizen participation as well as cooperation between government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Here are some examples of implementation of Community Empowerment By Sector:

1. Empowerment in the economic sector

In the economic sector, community empowerment is often realized through the establishment of joint business groups (KUB) or village cooperatives.

This Model encourages people to build small businesses collectively, such as processed food production, handicrafts, to agriculture. The existence of cooperatives facilitates access to business capital, business training, and product marketing.

An example is the cooperative coffee farmers who managed to penetrate the export market due to improved production quality and business management. This form of empowerment not only increases income, but also strengthens the resilience of the local economy.

In addition, entrepreneurial training for women is becoming an increasingly developed program in various regions. Through training in sewing, cooking, to digital marketing, women—especially housewives—are encouraged to have an independent income.

2. Empowerment in the education sector

In the field of education, community empowerment is carried out through community-based initiatives that provide access to learning to children and adolescents in remote areas.

One example is the establishment of reading houses and alternative schools run by volunteers or local communities. This facility allows children who have difficulty reaching formal schools to still get basic education and literacy strengthening.

In addition, the scholarship program for students from underprivileged families is also a form of empowerment that has a significant impact.

3. Empowerment in the health sector

The health sector is one of the strategic spaces for empowerment, especially through the Integrated Service post (Posyandu) program.

Posyandu involves community cadres who receive training from medical personnel to provide basic health services to pregnant women, infants, and toddlers. This service includes immunization, weighing of toddlers, as well as nutrition education and healthy lifestyles.

Other programs such as environmental health cadres are also important in raising public awareness of the Prevention of infectious diseases, such as dengue fever or tuberculosis. Direct citizen involvement in health education has proven to be able to expand the range of information and encourage the implementation of clean and healthy living behaviors in everyday environments.

4. Empowerment in the environment and infrastructure sector

In the environmental sector, the waste bank program is one innovative example.

People are invited to sort out recyclable waste, then exchange it into savings or daily necessities. This activity not only creates a cleaner environment, but also provides economic benefits.

On the other hand, community-based clean water and sanitation programs also play an important role in empowerment. Through the construction of boreholes, clean water installations, and public toilets, people not only get facilities, but are also involved in the planning and management of these infrastructures.

Cover

Community empowerment is not just a concept, but a real process that requires commitment, collaboration, and sustainable strategies.

Through a participatory approach and utilization of available resources—human, natural, Financial, Institutional, and technological—communities can be encouraged to become major actors in development.

The success of empowerment lies in how each party is able to synergize to create inclusive and equitable change. By continuously strengthening local capacity and building collective consciousness, we can realize a society that is not only prosperous, but also empowered and sovereign over its own future.

Sources and references:

• https://repository.penerbiteureka.com/publications/566988/buku-ajar-pemberdayaan-masyarakat 
• https://jurnal.unigal.ac.id/moderat/article/view/3319/2914 

Featured image: exhibition of handicrafts, cultural attractions, and local products in the tourism village as a form of community empowerment to support the local economy (cikoneng-ciamis.desa.id)