Field of Change - People’s Stories on Sustainable Livelihood Development

Field of Change People’s Stories on Sustainable Livelihood Development

www.esp.or.id

Environmental Services Program (ESP) 2009

Field of Change People’s Stories on Sustainable Livelihood Development

Executive Summary From Ridge to Reef This publication intends to take the reader across Indonesia, from Aceh to Eastern Indonesia, to share over five years of experience from the Environmental Services Program (ESP). Each story is written by an ESP partner, stakeholder, or staff member and relays their personal experience working directly with ESP program activities. These voices from the field introduce you to their rural and urban communities, as well as their offices, treatment facilities, government agencies, and municipal water companies.

The following field stories have been carefully selected and pieced together to reflect ESP’s ‘Ridge to Reef’ approach. This approach ensures the availability of clean water by protecting upland sources, while working with water providers and users in the lowlands to increase access to water and sanitation services. This ‘Ridge to Reef’ approach emphasizes the intersection between the environment and health and, as a result, directly links upper watershed and urban poor communities.

The structure of this publication illustrates this ESP approach. The first National chapter introduces program management approaches and cross-cutting components that make up the backbone of ESP programming. This is followed by three chapters which take the reader from upland Ridge, to intermediary Village, to lowland Reef.

Each chapter begins with an introduction to guide the reader through the selected stories. By using local testimonies and pictures taken by stakeholders in the field, these stories capture the essence of ESP programming from every regional field location. Read as a whole, all four chapters are testament to how dynamic and innovative stakeholders have worked together to secure safe and affordable water and sanitation while protecting and conserving the environment.

Field of Change People’s Stories on Sustainable Livelihood Development

Editor-at-Large

: Reed Merrill

Writers

: ESP Team

Editors

: Bryony Jones Primatmojo Djanoe

Art Director

: Irfan Toni Herlambang

Graphic Designer

: Pryatin Mulyo Santoso

Research and Documentation

: Siska Doviana

Introduction ESP Development Pathways

The Environmental Services Program (ESP) is a sixty-four month program (December 2004 through March 2010) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented under the leadership of Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI). ESP works with government, private sector, NGOs, community groups and other stakeholders to promote better health through improved water resources management and expanded access to clean water and sanitation services.

In Indonesia, approximately100,000 children die annually from diarrhea related diseases and nearly one-third of Indonesia’s population lacks access to safe and affordable drinking.

Meanwhile, deforestation poses an alarming threat to biodiversity and the availability of resources, including water. These realities cannot be tackled independently.

ESP developed an integrated ‘Ridge to Reef’ approach that recognizes the inextricable connection between health and the environment. This approach ensures the availability of clean water by protecting upland water sources (ridge), while working with water providers and users in the lowlands (reef ) to promote access to water and sanitation.

To promote the holistic ‘Ridge to Reef’ approach, ESP focuses on four distinct components: • • • •

Watershed Management and Biodiversity Conservation seeks to stabilize and improve the supply of raw water by promoting sustainable land use practices; Environmental Service Delivery aims to improve the provision of services – including water supply, sewerage, and solid waste – in the lowland population centers; Environmental Services Finance seeks to leverage necessary investment in infrastructure and environmental service rewards; and Strategic Communications for Behavior Change stimulates awareness and action on ESP issues from the individual, to the general public and national-level decision makers.

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ESP has implemented integrated program activities in most High Priority Provinces – including Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, North Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, East Java – in early 2005. ESP work in Aceh has been more dynamic. Prior to developing the ESP integrated program approach in mid 2006, the Aceh program was primarily focused on responding to 2004 tsunami relief, recovery and reconstruction. In October 2008, ESP supplemented activities in Aceh to enhance implementation of Aceh Green, a development vision that balances forest conservation and sustainable land use with economic development and job creation, focusing specifically on excombatants. In late 2008, ESP commenced activities in Papua and Eastern Indonesia. In Papua, ESP supports the provincial government and their development of an effective Integrated Spatial Plan that balances sustainable natural resources management with people-driven development.

In Eastern Indonesia – including Ambon, Manado, and Jaypura – ESP focuses on increasing access to clean water and sanitation services.

ESP works with a wide range of stakeholders including the Government of Indonesia, the private sector, NGOs, community groups and other stakeholders. The goal is to strengthen capacities to advocate for expanded delivery of key environmental services and to expand opportunities for participating more effectively in local management of those services.

ESP has developed a number of key approaches to achieve program objectives in an integrated manner. These have been adapted to the cultural and ecological differences that occur across Indonesia, yet the results have been uniform and of high quality. Three of the most prominent approaches are Field Schools, Clean Green and Hygiene, and the Master Meter.

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Field Schools are an educational approach that makes use of a water ecology-based Sustainable Livelihoods Development Assessment and Action Plans to help rural and urban communities gain greater control over their livelihoods and the environment in which they live.

Clean Green and Hygiene (CGH) is an ESP approach that optimizes synergies between solid waste management, clean water and sanitation infrastructure, re-greening, and hand washing with soap activities to prevent diarrhea. ESP’s Clean Green and Hygiene approach evolved to focus most significantly through school programs.

Master Meters are innovative partnerships between municipal water companies (PDAM) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) that result in access of piped water for poor communities. Once a contract is agreed upon with a CBO, a PDAM provides piped water to a single point that ends at a bulk or Master Meter, and the CBO manages the household piped network system.

The field stories contained within this publication intend to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and promote the continuation of successful approaches. Awareness and support must come from local stakeholders, regional decision makers, and international partners embarking on similar programs. Your support will facilitate the adaptation and rolling-out of significant best practices and lessons learned.

Most importantly, these stories would not exist without the enduring motivation and dedication from all ESP stakeholders to work together. The ESP team would like to take this opportunity to thank the many contributors who helped develop the field stories contained in this publication: local field assistants, ESP regional staff, local beneficiaries, the private sector, community-based organizations, partner NGOs, and local, regional, and national government. Their cooperation and determination has been the driving force behind ESP’s success.

It is our sincere intent for this publication to support the dialogue and commitment necessary to foster sustainable development approaches in the future. Coupled with the ESP Partner’s Directory, a reference of partner contacts, ESP hopes to mobilize continued cooperation for a healthier and greener Indonesia.

Contents National Four Integrated Approaches for A Thriving Watershed Master Meter System: Water Access as an Entry Point For Community Empowerment Turning On The Taps With Micro-Credit Schools As An Entry Point For Health and Hygiene Behavior Change Monitoring And Evaluation: From The People, For The People Gender Mainstreaming: Integrating Awareness Into Everyday Activities ESP Internship Program: Transforming Knowledge Into Practice STBM: Coordinating An Integrated National Sanitation Strategy

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Ridge Forestry Education: Maximizing Reforestation Results Field School Graduates: Never Stop Learning From Nature Curbing Deforestation With Village Ordinance Multi-Party Approach: Linking Upstream And Downstream A Nursery’s Success: Seedling Development In Aceh Creating An Energy Independent Village: Community-Based Biogas Initiative Putting People In The Plan: A “Swakelola” Approach To Spatial Planning Information Resource Center: Promoting Transparency

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Village Put Down The Guns, Pick Up The Pruning Shears: Cocoa Farming In Aceh Field School Solutions: Raising Cattle Communally Water Catchment Collaboration: Water Users Promote Conservation Efforts Local Water Regulation: Cultivating Understanding Through “Reboan” Forum Living Problems: Field School Produces High Hopes Building An Organization: Farmer Groups Develop Management Skills Reef The Urban Field School: Tackling Sanitation And Solid Waste Responding to Customer Demands Water Companies Improve Their Image and the Quality of Services Building Doesn’t Guarantee Use: Sustainable Sanitation Facilities Mad About Garbage: Leadership In Recycling Hygiene Champions: Leading Sanitation Efforts Reducing Debt: Enabling Water Companies To Expand Services An Environmental Education Curriculum Born Out Of Concern

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National The National chapter sets up the core foundation of ESP programming. It introduces ESP’s four distinct components: Watershed Management and Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Service Delivery, Environmental Services Finance, and Strategic Communication for Behavior Change. In addition to these four components, this chapter discusses two of ESP’s crosscutting technical support components, including Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Gender concerns. The ESP internship program story emphasizes the importance of developing local capacity while the final entry illustrates the complex nature of facilitating a collaborative and effective National Strategy.

Four Integrated Approaches

FOR A THRIVING WATERSHED

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We shouldn’t rely on a single government ministry for watershed management. Instead, all relevant ministries must work together

Across Indonesia, 30.3 million hectares of land is classified as degraded, aded, while 6.9 million hectares of this total is classified as critically degraded. aded.

The impact of land degradation, especially in upstream watershed shed areas, negatively effects the lives of upstream land stewards, as well as downstream water users.

One of the main consequences of land degradation is a reduced supply of clean water in water catchment regions known as watersheds. A watershed serves two important functions: conserving biodiversity and controlling water quantity and quality.

Optimizing these watershed functions requires an integrated approach to watershed management, including integrating policy, strategy selection, coordination, and implementation.

Sustainable land use efforts must be tailored to support both local socio-economic and physical environmental conditions.

Environmental expert and presidential adviser Emil Salim explained, “We shouldn’t rely on a single government ministry for watershed management. Instead, all relevant ministries must work together and jointly manage the watershed.”

In other words, downstream communities and stakeholders should understand that they too play an important role in the conservation of downstream regions and the prevention of land degradation.

In addition, upstream communities should also be aware of the consequences of exploiting natural resources in protected watershed areas. Both downstream and upstream stakeholders have a strong incentive to work together to promote watershed conservation efforts.

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To support this integrated, multi-stakeholder concept, ESP and relevant parties have developed four watershed management models. These include: (1) Payment for Environmental Services (PES), (2) Conservation Village Model (Model Desa Konservasi, or MDK), (3) MicroWatershed Model (Model DAS Mikro, or MDM), and (4) E-DAS (E-watershed database system).

PES is a market-based approach to conservation based on the principle that those who generate environmental services should be compensated for providing them.

Those who benefit from environmental services, such Field School participants engaging in a transect activity as downstream buyers of clean water, are expected to during the non formal schooling compensate upstream residents for measures taken to safeguard and improve the watershed. In Magelang, for example, the municipal water supply company has contributed over Rp. 800 million for three years to directly support watershed conservation and rehabilitation activities.

The Conservation Village Model (MDK) is a program pioneered by the Ministry of Forestry, aimed at combining conservation efforts with welfare improvement activities for communities living near protected forests or national parks. MDK activities, such as raising rabbits and goats, composting, biogas production, and planting vegetation to prevent landslides and to provide economic returns, are a collaboration of ESP and local community efforts. The results speak for themselves. ESP-mentored communities no longer cut timber within protected forest areas and more importantly, they now have additional income.

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Ensuring the sustainability of these activities requires a good data support system capable of identifying actual field conditions

To manage watersheds larger than 1,000 hectares, ESP and the central government implemented a Micro-Watershed Model (MDM) that emphasizes the community’s active participation in managing forest and land rehabilitation, land and water conservation techniques, as well as agricultural cultivation. The upper sub-watershed of Cisadane River, West Java, has benefitted from MDM activities. Two farmer’s groups, numbering 60 farmers in total, were formed in this area to manage the watershed. They have successfully rehabilitated 25 hectares of degraded private land. The farmers have raised over 60 sheep and also developed a nursery that has produced 120,000 seedlings ready for planting.

Ensuring the sustainability of these activities requires a good data support system capable of identifying actual field conditions. ESP is facilitating the creation of E-DAS (E-watershed), an electronic database system that contains information on physical, social, and biological conditions of every watershed in Indonesia. It presents a simple yet informative geographical display of current watershed conditions. This tool helps decision makers target specific field locations to determine which sustainable management program is appropriate for a particular watershed.

Master Meter System

WATER ACCESS AS AN ENTRY POINT FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

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Now, the average family spends Rp. 15,000 a month and I get piped water straight to my home!

Belawan is a flood-prone community lying adjacent to the River Deli eli in Medan, North Sumatra. Over 18,000 households are densely situated ated here, many on stilts and teetering precariously over an ever-growing wing pile of muddied refuse. Of these families, 13,375 (75%) are considered poor or very poor, with an average income of Rp 500,000 (USD $50) a month.

Like many poor households in Indonesia, Belawan residents rely on contaminated shallow well water or buy water from water vendors for a price much higher (usually 15-30 times more) than the average price charged by local water utilities, known as PDAM. PDAMs are often hesitant to increase access to piped water in these poor neighborhoods. They fear problems related to illegal resident or land status, water theft, leakages, inefficient water billing, and an inability of poor households to pay the connection fee.

In 2006, ESP piloted an innovative collaboration, linking low-income community members with PDAM Tirtanadi Provinsi Sumatera Utara through a community managed piped water system, known as a Master Meter. This win-win situation alleviates both parties’ problems by generating business and new customers for the PDAM and by supplying communities access to clean water at an affordable rate.

The key to the Master Meter’s success in Belawan has been the ability of a local Community -Based Organizations (CBOs) and a local NGO, known as Jaringan Kesehatan Masyarakat, or JKM, to operate and maintain the community-managed piped water system.

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After participating in ESP’s capacity building program, JKM took responsibility for maintaining the Master Meter system. JKM spearheaded community facilitation, establishment of the CBO, and design of the network.

They provide financial, technical, and institutional trainings to the CBO and the community.

Ibu Eti of the CBO PokMair (Kelompok Pemakai Air) is responsible for organizing and managing the water distribution and payment collection for 168 households. She was elected by the community to be a CBO Treasury. She reads and records household In Belawan, Medan, North Sumatra, the Water for the Poor meters, collects money, and handles late payments program helps by providing safe water to low-income families or repair problems. “[Prior to the Master Meter system installment] I spent roughly Rp 4,000 day for about 300 liters/day, totaling roughly Rp 60,000 a month. Now, the average family spends Rp 15,000 a month and I get new piped water straight to my home!” Much to the surprise of the PDAM, the CBO and community are very responsible and reliable customers. ”Late payments hardly ever happen,” explained Pak Julian Syah, a Regional Community WATSAN Manager from the ESP North Sumatra team. “The community would not dare to jeopardize clean piped water access.”

Since work began, the CBO has grown to a group of 30 members who organize and mobilize around water issues. Each CBO manages 100-200 house connections. Access to clean water has become a proven entry point for community empowerment. Community members, most often women, are applying their organizational skills to address other problems such as hygiene and sanitation. ESP is currently working with JKM and CBOs to train communities in solid waste management, composting, hand washing with soap, and safe water treatment and storage.

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Late payments hardly ever happen. The community would not dare to jeopardize clean piped water access

The success of this pilot has impressed local government officials, who have committed to continuing the program for the next five years. Central government, Pemko Medan and PDAM Tirtanadi are adopting the Master Meter system in large scale for 2 consecutive years. Such major stakeholder collaboration, facilitated by ESP, resulted in a National-level Water for the Poor program. In 2008, the Master Meter served 3,543 urban poor households in Belawan. This year, 2009, the Master Meter will reach an additional 3,500 households, spread over 9 villages in Medan city.

Now that the CBO-managed piped water system is up and running, government funded programs are following. Programs with PNPM Mandiri, P2KP, and NUSSP work alongside local CBOs. At Ibu Eti’s location in Yong Panah Hijau, the improvement is clear. Transformations include concrete pathways, 4 public toilet units equipped with a waste water treatment system, a drainage system, a public school under rehabilitation, and health promotion programs for mothers and children.

ESP’s Water for the Poor toolkit serves as a reference point, highlighting basic approaches that can be adapted to other challenging environments throughout Indonesia including Jakarta, Bandung, Surakarta, Sidoarjo, Surabaya, and Eastern Indonesia.

Turning on the Taps WITH MICRO-CREDIT

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I used to rely on well water. With the Micro-Credit loan, I can finally enjoy cleaner and healthier water from the water company

Clean water service coverage in Indonesia remains at a low 40% due to o the limited capacity of municipal water companies (PDAMs) to supply clean water. This is complicated by expensive water connection fees that range ange from Rp. 750,000 to 1,500,000 (USD$ 75-150) per connection, pricing it out of reach for low-income households.

Urban areas rely heavily on municipal water companies for their clean water supply. Numbering almost 400 business units, these city-owned or regency-owned water companies have varying levels of performance: 10% are classified as have ‘good’ performance, while another 60% are currently being restructured. The remaining 30% are classified as performing ‘badly’.

This performance must be significantly improved if the government intends to meet its own ambitious target of installing an additional 10 million new connections to serve 50 million Indonesians by 2013.

Aimed at low-income households, these 10 million connections would help many low-income households who depend on the purchasing of water at a price ten times what PDAM customers usually pay. Oftentimes, these households are also forced to rely on water from rivers, wells, or other sources that are considered unsafe and unreliable.

To promote Micro-Credit, the loan application process has been streamlined and made more accessible. Prospective customers need only to fill out a new application form at a water company with a Micro-Credit agreement with a partner bank. The application is then followed by a letter of introduction, allowing the beneficiary to apply for Micro-Credit loans at the bank.

Once the bank assesses the borrower and approves the loan, the bank directly deposits money

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into the water company’s account. The water company proceeds by connecting pipes to the customer’s home.

Currently, ESP’s Micro-Credit program has facilitated the successful cooperation between 12 water companies and several local banks including Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Bank Jatim, Bank Sumut, BPR Al Salam, and BPR BKK Kebumen. ESP’s main role in this program is to bridge the communication gap between water companies and banks, explaining the benefits of Micro-Credit and highlighting the revenue potential for water companies and banks. Through this program, water companies are also slowly rebuilding their images, which have been tarnished as a result of mismanagement and poor financial performance.

Thanks to the new piped water distributed by PT Air Manado, Meiske Manumpil now leads a healthier life

Jayadi, President Director of Delta Tirta Sidoarjo, a municipal water supply company in East Java explained the benefits of taking part in the program. “Thanks to Micro-Credit, our cash flow has improved. We receive cash payment from customers who have taken MicroCredit loans at BRI’s branch in Sidoarjo.”

As of now, nearly 10,000 families, or approximately 50,000 people, from Sumatra to Eastern Indonesia, have gained access to clean water from local PDAM through Micro-Credit schemes.

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Whenever I want water, I can just turn on the tap

Yetti is a new customer of the Bogor City water company. She is benefitting from the MicroCredit scheme. “I used to rely on well water, but the water has become dirty and smelly. With the Micro-Credit loan, I can finally enjoy cleaner and healthier water from the water company,” she explained.

Meiske Manumpil, who lives at a fishermen’s settlement in Bahu, Manado, is glad that she can finally get clean water from PT Air Manado through BRI’s branch in Malalayang. “Previously, we were using well water, but the volume would diminish during the dry season and cleanliness was always questionable. But now, whenever I want water, I can just turn on the tap,” Meiske said.

Micro-Credit has offered a glimmer of hope for the improvement of water services in Indonesia.

It provides alternative solutions for two difficult problems facing most PDAMs: their inability to finance new installation networks and their inability to supply affordable connection fees for lowincome households. For local banks, the Micro-Credit program has opened up new markets by introducing alternative banking services. With the success of these initial pilot programs, both the banks and the PDAMs have an incentive to continue promoting Micro-Credit into the future.

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Schools As An Entry Point FOR HEALTH AND HYGIENE BEHAVIOR CHANGE

HWWS ambassadors are very helpful in promoting behaviorchange, as children like to learn and be reminded by their friends

The CGH School approach has revolutionized the way hygiene iene promotion is perceived and implemented within the school system m in Indonesia. The school is a place where community resources convene vene and integrated action takes place. This makes it an ideal entry point for Health and Hygiene promotion.

The innovative and participatory approach conceptualized by the ESP Health and Hygiene (H&H) team to promote improved hygiene behaviors in 366 sites across Indonesia, has resulted in an extensive amount of accumulated knowledge and experience.

Formative research, conducted in 2006 through Forum Group Discussions (FGD), utilized a set of participatory research tools to analyze the basic motivations for and impediments to sustained hygiene behaviors. This included the identification of gateway behaviors for hygiene promotion and existing community practices that the program could use to ground healthy hygiene practices.

ESP’s “Health and Hygiene Behaviors in Indonesia: Results of the Formative Research” revealed that children play an important role in changing community behavior. For example, adults are more likely to learn about health and hygeine issues from their children, rather than their spouses. As a result, the Clean, Green and Hygiene (CGH) School was developed as one of the main anchors of the integrated H&H communication strategy.

The CGH School is an integrative, school-based strategy with the purpose of engaging schools’ headmasters, teachers, school committees and students. The strategy offers learning

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opportunities that encourage the development of healthy and hygienic behaviors, including environmental health. The ultimate goal is to prevent diarrhea and avoid other common illnesses including the flu, avian influenza, dysentery, and respiratory tract infections.

Teachers are preparing materials for an environmental-based school curriculum

The CGH School strategy works in tandem with other ongoing initiatives such as the School Health Unit (UKS, Unit Kesehatan Sekolah) and “student doctors” (dokter kecil), two national government programs which directly promote students as leaders in hygiene-related behavior change.

In West Java, Hand Washing with Soap (HWWS) Ambassadors, also known as Water Police, further advocate for hand washing and waste management. The Petiwi Elementary School in Bandung has supported HWWS Ambassadors, and their teachers to visit neighboring communities and train young mothers on CGH-related behaviors. “HWWS ambassadors are very helpful in promoting behavior change. Children like to learn and be reminded by their friends,” explained Ade Sobarudin, Vice Principle of Curriculum Affairs of SD Pertiwi.

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Local media attention has been key to disseminating H&H messages, increasing awareness and encouraging further support

In addition to aiding in the dissemination of CGH messages, from school, to parent, to the community, the CGH School leverages significant National support, in the form of curriculum development, increased allocation of funding, and institutional commitment. In Malang East Java, Kota Batu district, the Head of the Sub District Education Office, Sukistiono, has mobilized young teachers to prepare a curriculum based on sanitation and environmental principles.

Through this curriculum, schools are encouraged to be “greener” and to adopt clean and healthy behaviors. “The high number of diarrhea cases and the recent decrease in the quality and quantity of water are relevant to ESP’s concept of the CGH School,” Sukistiono says. The success of Sukistiono and his team of young teachers in developing an integrated and comprehensive curriculum inspired by the CGH approach, encouraged the Head of the Education Agency to institutionalize the CGH curriculum in 89 schools in Batu.

Local media attention has been key to disseminating H&H messages, increasing awareness, and also encouraging further government support. For example, local media coverage of a CGH Festival in West Java encouraged the Vice Regency of West Bandung, Mr. Ernawan, to commit to the full adoption of the CGH School theme over a five-year period. Politicians and other local stakeholders have made these commitments to reporters, in front of the camera, and in writing, to bring credibility to the CGH program and reassure continuous media involvement.

The CGH School approach has become one of ESP Health and Hygiene’s main pillars for sustainability. By working from already established local resources, encouraging the development of local leadership, and sparking National-level attention, CGH schools have been successful at leveraging significant awareness, funding, and support to create lasting impact.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

FROM THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE

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It was truly an eye opener, the community used to refuse planting tree crops in their vegetable plots

Monitoring and evaluation are two crucial program components. ents.

They help track a program’s development and success and provide a feedback mechanism to ensure program approaches, ches, models, and activities appropriately respond to community needs.

ESP’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities are divided into two classifications: qualitative and quantitative. Quantitative M&E is carried out periodically, and contributes directly to ESP’s routine reporting deliverables, including Quarterly and Annual reports.

Qualitative M&E consists of narrative-focused field stories and testimonies from communities who have benefited from ESP program activities. Several qualitative M&E outputs include longitudinal studies, community impact assessments, diarrhea monitoring, and participative water quality monitoring. All of these take a subjective perspective from the angle of local partners engaged directly in program activities.

One of the most prominent qualitative evaluations is the community impact assessment.

In this particular monitoring activity, communities from ESP program locations rate and identify improvements and successes they’ve experienced. These are documented to serve as promotional materials and discussion topics to encourage involvement from partners and stakeholders. The documentation includes a one page essay describing monitoring results, complete with supporting data and photos. This monitoring information is useful for leveraging further support for community-planned programs.

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Eson, a villager from Mekarwangi Village, West Bandung Regency, West Java, has been actively guiding the community impact assessment process in his village.

These activities allow Eson to reflect on just how much has changed.

Monitoring and evaluation are two crucial program components, they help track a program’s development and success and provide feedback

“It was truly an eye opener,” Eson remarked. “The community used to refuse planting tree crops in their vegetable plots. However, after participating in ESP activities, they became aware of the benefits from planting tree crops, especially for the ecosystem of their plots.”

The villagers of Mekarwangi wrote a simple essay and included a map showing the village’s improved spatial layout. The essay was distributed by Field School participants during a village event and presented to the village government. Field School participants were happy to have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas with local government officials. It re-invigorated their determination to continue their important work.

“We hoped that this spatial layout presentation will provide us with some support for water resource management in Mekarwangi as part of Cikapundung River sub-watershed,” Eson said.

During ESP’s program life, community impact assessments have been conducted in 10 villages in Lembang Regency, West Java, and in 7 villages in Sibolangit and Lau Petani sub-watershed in North Sumatra.

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Seeing things change with our own eyes makes us believe that we’ve done something positive

The community impact assessment has improved the ability of communities to self-monitor the impact of community-based activities. As these monitors hone their analytical monitoring skills and gain more confidence in their abilites, they will become increasingly important to their fellow community members. By sharing their experience with others, more community groups are improving their capacity to conduct M&E activities in their own villages.

“Seeing things change with our own eyes makes us believe that we’ve done something positive. The tree crops are now taller than most farmers who have planted them. They are able to provide shade and are making the soil more fertile to absorb more water,” Eson said.

By involving community members in the process of M&E, ESP has encouraged local stakeholders to take an active role in the development of effective program activities.

Gender Mainstreaming: INTEGRATING AWARENESS INTO EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES

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Gender awareness activities benefit not only ESP staff, but also ESP partners

With a “Ridge to Reef” approach, water is the overarching theme that bridges all component activities together. Gender is inextricably cably tied up in how water is perceived, accessed, and managed. ged.

ESP developed the Gender sub-component to focus directly on gender awareness and mainstreaming. Since then, Gender has become an integral part of all ESP internal and external activities.

The development of gender awareness is always adapted to the social systems and conditions of the ESP program implementation site. An analysis of the division of labor between men and women has revealed that gender roles vary, and must be addressed accordingly.

In upstream watershed areas, for example, where farming and agricultural activities dominate, men and women’s roles are relatively balanced. The difference lies in the division of labor for activities that require physical strength. Men are more dominant during land cultivation and harvest, while women deal more with crop planting and nurturing. In regard to the family’s clean water supply, however, women usually carry a heavier burden, as they are expected to travel long distances to obtain water.

In urban areas, especially in densely populated areas, low-income families usually purchase clean water from vendors or use public taps. Like the upstream watersheds, women, usually mothers and daughters, are responsible for providing clean water for household use. Mothers

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are also responsible for prioritizing the family budget to ensure basic needs, like access to water, are met.

The development of gender awareness is always adapted to the social systems and conditions of the ESP program implementation site

Most often, husbands are reluctant to change habits, like cigarette smoking, for the sake of the family’s economic welfare. As a result, women look for alternative sources of income to meet their household needs. In this situation mothers are expected to play the role of caregiver, family accountant, and must also shoulder the additional burden of finding income.

Awareness of gender pressure helps bring attention to these unfortunate circumstances and encourages both men and women to work together to find gender appropriate solutions.

Gender awareness activities are intended to serve not only the beneficiaries of ESP activities, but also ESP partners, organizations receiving grants from ESP, government agencies, and sectoral agencies such as the municipal water companies.

This strategy is important as most ESP partner organizations are dominated by men.

Rahayu Naningsih, General Director of the municipal water company in Gresik Regency, explained how she used the experience acquired through the ESP gender training to improve gender awareness at her company.

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Women must have the courage to voice their opinion and help shape the future of their communities

“Regarding employment policies, Gresik Regency water company considers one’s professionalism, knowledge, and skills; not one’s gender. ESP gender training materials support this notion.” As of December 2009, ESP has conducted gender workshops for partners in six provinces, including Aceh, North Sumatra, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, and East Java. ESP has trained at least 850 ESP partners on gender awareness and ways to integrate gender in activities related to water resources management and the provision of clean water and sanitation.

Apit, a villager in Citemen Hamlet, Kertajaya Village, Sukabumi Regency, explained, “Women’s participation in community activities should not be limited to preparing food. Women must have the courage to voice their opinion and help shape the future of their communities. The ESP gender training has made us aware of this. It is very important for men and women to share roles because it can ease everyone’s burden.”

ESP has developed a gender analysis tool that can be used by partner organizations to strengthen gender integration in their organizations’ program activities. The tool consists of an analytical process which describes gender roles and the resources available to men and women.

This gender analysis aims to strengthen the gender perspective in the implementation of ESP activities. In order to find solutions, ESP must first determine “who does what, who controls what, and who makes decision about what.”

As for the communities, ESP has set a minimum target of increasing women involvement in every activity including Field Schools, the drafting of local policy, promotion of healthy and hygienic behaviors, community-based waste management, provision of clean water, and community-based sanitation facilities.

ESP Internship Program: TRANSFORMING KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE

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I have gained quite a lot of insight into environmental issues, as well as developed my professional abilities

ESP works to involve university students and academic institutions tions in internship programs covering a variety of disciplines. In addition ition to honing student’s skills and giving them the experience and confidence they need to succesd in their future endeavors, ESP also gains support in implementing and evaluating program activities.

Since April 2009, 21-year-old Eyki Yulhaida Agistiyanti’s routine has been anything but normal.

In addition to doing homework and attending classes in the Faculty of Communication at Mercubuana University, Eyki has become a very welcome part of ESP. Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday she joins the ESP Communications team in the Jakarta office.

Eyki’s initial duties included searching for news articles about water and sanitation in magazines and newspapers and analyzing their contents. This information helps give ESP feedback on its programming. Along with two other interns, Eyki has documented over 700 news clippings, making the ESP website one of the most reliable sources for water, sanitation and environment news.

Over the course of her work, Eyki has diversified her interests by taking part in a variety of communications related work. For example, she has directly supported Siska Doviana, ESP’s Public Outreach Specialist, by conducting media relation activities, such as contacting journalists in preparation of an event. Eyki has also directly engaged in field activities. She collects data, photos, and testimonies and works with the Communications team to compile and analyze information for publications, toolkits, and manuals.

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“My knowledge about water, sanitation and other environmental issues was sorely lacking. However, since I began my internship at ESP, I have gained quite a lot of insight into environmental issues, as well as developed my professional abilities,” Eyki confidently explained.

Eyki is one of 15 local and international students who have taken part in the ESP internship program.

Towards the end of ESP programming, ESP has made a concerted effort to provide opportunities for students seeking professional work experience. In addition to introducing them to a professional office atmosphere In addition to honing student’s skills and giving them the and preparing them to enter the work force with skills experience and confidence they need to succeed in their future endeavors, ESP gains additional support and confidence, the internship also allows students in implementing and evaluating program activities to bridge the gap between practice and study. The variety of technical and non-technical components at ESP has allowed the interns to be selective in choosing work that suits both their studies and interests.

The Service Delivery component, for example, has welcomed the helpful support of 7 student interns. These interns actively campaigned for health and hygiene behaviors at ESP program sites by taking part in urban Field School trainings, discussions, and events. Working alongside the Jakarta WATSAN Coordinator and other Service Delivery staff, the interns conducted field surveys, helped develop community-based Action Plans, and facilitated discussion sessions with community groups.

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Direct interaction with communities has increased my sense of empathy

Ajeng Rahmani Rijadi, an intern from the University of Indonesia, and intern with the Service Delivery component, recognizes that interacting with low-income communities has had a significant impact on her. “Direct interaction with communities has increased my sense of empathy. Furthermore, the close collaboration between ESP, NGO partners, and communities has developed my professionalism and ability to cooperate in a team,” explained Ajeng.

Nur Endah Shofiani, Jakarta WATSAN Coordinator, admitted that involving interns in operational activities was initially time consuming. The staff was required to invest time and energy into explaining and clarifying ESP program activities and approaches. “However, as time went by,” Endah explained, “the investment came back to us. The students began contributing more and more to help programs run smoothly. Eventually, they were confident enough to fill in when my team was busy with other tasks,” said Endah.

The ESP internship program proved beneficial, not only for the students, but also for ESP. The program represents one medium for communicating ESP activities to the general public. It has also built important relationships by connecting organizations with potential partners in the academic world. For the various components described above, the interns provided much needed support for ESP program development. The intern program also contributes to the professional development of ESP staff. For example, Siska Doviana, the ESP Program Outreach Coordinator admitted, “I learned a lot from this experience because it was my first opportunity directly supervising others.”

STBM:

COORDINATING AN INTEGRATED NATIONAL SANITATION STRATEGY

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ESP has recognized the importance of increasing community group capacities to promote STBM campaigns

The development of a clear, integrated sanitation strategy is crucial ucial for Indonesia. According to 2007 World Bank figures, roughly 100,000 0,000 children die from diarrhea every year, at an economic loss of 2.3% GDP. The National government is working with various stakeholders, including ESP, to coordinate a National-level approach for improved sanitation.

STBM (Community-Based Total Sanitation) is a five pillar approach to improve sanitation at the household level. In 2008, the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched STBM in 10,000 villages spanning 29 provinces in Indonesia. By focusing on behavioral change and awareness raising, STBM’s goal is to increase the demand for improved sanitation, primarily at the household level.

The Government of Indonesia (GOI) recognizes its role as a facilitator, not implementer. The STBM approach emphasizes the significance of communities and their responsibility in planning, constructing, managing, and co-financing initiatives for improved sanitation.

To ensure this approach is successful and sustainable, various partners, government agencies, international organizations, and NGOs must collaborate closely to both integrate their approaches and to ensure there are strong community-based initiatives.

Up until recently, the five STBM pillars have been implemented by several agencies, NGOs, and organizations with various strategies, approaches, and priorities. These five pillars include (1) stopping open defecation, (2) washing hands with soap, (3) household water treatment and safe storage (4) household waste water management, and (5) household solid waste

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management. According to the WHO, integrating the above initiatives will reduce diarrhea by 94%.

According to 2007 World Bank figures, roughly 100,000 children die from diarrhea every year, at an economic loss of 2.3% GDP

ESP took a lead role in facilitating an STBM workshop in April 2009 to promote an integrated and collaborative approach to the STMB policy. The main objective was to lay the foundation for how donors could best support the MOH. Donors and government agencies worked together to design an integrated STBM approach by discussing program initiatives, best practices, lessons learned, and identifying gaps in the MOH’s STBM strategy.

Local provinces have been keeping up the momentum.

In mid-2009, STBM was introduced to Water and Sanitation Working Groups (Pokja AMPL) in Jayapura and Ambon. These ESP-facilitated workshops were attended by urban stakeholders that include city government bodies, community representatives, press, and partner programs such as Safe Water System (SWS), WES UNICEF, Mercy Corps, and CARE. The commitments of city governments were reflected during Global Hand Washing with Soap Day. On October 15, 2009, the Mayor of Jayapura launched STBM as Jayapura’s development priority. In Ambon, the Mayor lead the event by introducing Hand Washing with Soap and the importance of safe drinking water and solid waste treatment, to over 2,000 students.

In addition to partner collaboration at the National, Provincial, and District level, ESP has recognized the importance of increased community group capacity to implement STBM campaigns. STBM and the promotion of effective behavior change is only effective if it promotes community involvement and ownership at the household level.

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Securing the involvement of donors and stakeholders is crucial to implementing an integrated policy initiative

At the community level, ESP conducted STBM trainings for community cadres in Ambon, Jayapura and Manado, equipping the cadres with comprehensive understanding of STBM pillars. Following the trainings, cadres designed Actions Plan to present to the Pokja AMPL. In Jayapura, for example, the Pokja AMPL has already agreed to integrate the community’s Action Plan into their City Sanitation Strategy. The immediate execution of the Action Plan will be apparent in Jayapura city government’s 2010 budget year.

ESP is also offering practical communication skills and simple media communication production training to the cadres. By the end of the trainings, these cadres are expected to convey STBM messages to their community in a more effective way, using their own communication language, channels, and resources.

Securing the involvement of various donors and stakeholders is crucial to implementing an integrated and holistic National policy initiative. By linking various program initiatives and advocating from the National level all the way down to community level, ESP has played an integral role in promoting improved household sanitation.

Ridge Ridge will introduce you to ESP programming in upstream watershed areas. The approach focuses on land management, rehabilitation, and protection to improve the quantity and quality of raw water sources. Sustainable land use activities are spearheaded by the Field School, a participative approach that involves land stewards in hands-on analysis, problem solving, and action planning. In this section, Field School participants reect on their eorts to learn from nature, educate others, and develop environmentally friendly sources of energy, like biogas. Improved land use planning and forestry management is supported by local regulations and through people-driven Spatial Plans, like that described in Papua. This section also highlights how upper watershed stakeholders have worked alongside water companies to safeguard the environment and promote improved water quality for downstream users.

Forestry Education: MAXIMIZING REFORESTATION RESULTS

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Representatives of farmer’s groups have begun to work with private institutions concerned with forest conservation

Reforestation failures often result from a lack of awareness, ness, understanding, and technical expertise. Tree planting and other reforestation activities can serve as alternative, environmentallytallyfriendly livelihood options, especially when initiatives are supported by the private sector and local government.

“I’m not sure whether these reforestated trees will be well cared for or provide much benefit,” announced a skeptical Imam Oetomo, the previous governor of East Java, at a ceremony five years ago, celebrating the National Movement for Forest and Land Rehabilitation.

Imam’s skepticism is justified, considering the less than successful impact of past reforestation activities. Due to a lack of awareness amongst communities and other stakeholders, the act of tree planting developed a reputation for being merely a celebratory, ribbon-cutting event, followed by withering and neglected trees.

This perspective has been shifting, mainly due to the improved awareness for forest preservation. This has resulted in increased participation by the communities, private sector, and the government. Representatives of farmer groups and community groups, such as the Forest Village Community Institution, have begun to work with private institutions concerned with forest conservation.

Arief Lukman Hakim, ESP’s Watershed Management Specialist in East Java, explained the paradox of tree planting ceremonies. “They [the community] planted strong water-absorbing trees in high slope regions, a practice that often triggers landslides rather than preventing them.

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They also planted reforestation trees in areas where the topsoil was too thin, causing trees to die within a year or two. I know they mean well, but their methods were misguided,” he admitted.

Degradation of critical land like that shown above may result in various disasters in downstream areas

Awareness, understanding, and technical expertise plays a major role in forest preservation. That’s why new approaches to forestry education are becoming increasingly important. One of these approaches is the Hutan Asuh (Forest Care) Concept. It invites all parties to educate communities about the many issues regarding forest conservation.

Amongst other locations, the Forest Care Concept is being implemented on the slopes of Arjuna Welirang Mountain. From a hydrological standpoint, these forests are part of a very important upperwatershed that feeds the Brantas River. This particular watershed is part of R. Soerjo CommunityBased Forest Park (Taman Hutan Rakyat) that provides water resources to 14 districts and cities in East Java. In other words, 60 percent of East Java’s population depends on Brantas watershed for their food and water supply.

Currently, 3,300 hectares of forest around Arjuna Welirang Mountain are in critical condition,.

However, the government is limited to pursuing conservation efforts in a mere 300 hectares of forest per year. At that rate, it would take 11 years to restore the degraded forest.

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Awareness, understanding, and technical expertise plays a major role in forest preservation

“The numbers make it clear that it’s impossible to rely only on the government,” explained MH Dardiri, head of Tahura Farmer’s Group (Paguyuban Kelompok Tani Tahura - PKTT).The rural community’s livelihoods, such as farming, hunting, and charcoal making, are dependent upon forest resources. These conditions have prompted the Kaliandra Foundation and ESP to create the Forest Care Concept, to not only help speed conservation efforts, but to also guarantee sustainability.

Agus Wiyono, a member of Kaliandra, discussed how the Forest Care Concept emphasized the synergy between increased forest preservation and improvements in the communities’ quality of life. “They must diversify their sources of income,” Agus said. However, it’s not easy to encourage people to stop relying on the forest for their economic livelihoods. Other parties, including the private sector, have to be involved to ensure improved quality of life for the forest communities.

PT. Tirta Investama (TIV) Pandaan has been helping manage 10 hectares of forest in Arjuna Welirang Mountain. The program, which has been running for a year, considers Aqua bottled water their number one supporter. They have assisted in rehabilitating degraded land and have supported tree planting initiatives for those reliant on charcoal making for livelihoods. Lately, there has been a surge of interest from companies such as HM Sampoerna, Coca Cola, and others that want to follow in Aqua’s footsteps.

Most importantly, the communities, represented by the Forest Village Community Institution are responsible for overseeing the implementation and sustainability of these programs. The economic status of communities living around the forest has begun to change: they can now fulfill their economic needs with environmentally-friendly forestry activities.

Field School Graduates: NEVER STOP LEARNING FROM NATURE

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How things have changed. I used to be considered crazy because whenever I come across organic waste, I picked it up!

Field School participants never stop learning from nature. They pass on their knowledge to community members, sharing their environmentally friendly farming methods, and encouraging others thers to take action.

Villagers of Sikeben, Sibolangit, North Sumatra, no longer consider Ibu Dewi Beru Sembiring crazy. Quite the contrary. At 43 years old, Dewi has suddenly become famous in her village. She feels like the local medicine maker for organic agriculture.

On a daily basis, local farmers crowd to her home and ask her to concoct organic compost and ‘local micro-organisms’. “Initially I specialized in liquid organic fertilizer, giving it away for free to those who wanted to try it,” Dewi said. “Some wanted to buy it, but I told them this was unnecessary, since it is made from organic waste available for free everywhere.”

“How things have changed. I used to be considered crazy because whenever I come across organic waste, I picked it up!” Dewi said. This mother of three has no patience for fellow villagers who refuse to learn. By giving away liquid compost, she hoped people would proactively seek ways to learn about organic farming through farmer Field Schools in Sikeben Village.

“If these farmers are not lazy, I can teach them. Or they can enroll in a farmer Field school to learn to make it easily. If they use organic fertilizer, they will always make a profit from their crops, and be free from expensive chemicals.”

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Dewi is excited about environmentally friendly farming.

She spends her time from morning until late afternoon in the field, doing a number of mini experiments to solve her farming problems. In fact, her children, who used to hate going into the field, now follow her there everyday.

Field School participants are agents of change who can encourage their fellow villagers to take action in improving their life

To Dewi, organic agriculture is more than a money saver. She finds pleasure in working with nature. She is constantly carrying out new experiments amidst her 300 rubber trees (Hevea Braziliensis), grown as a mixed garden along with ginger, green beans, and chives (bawang batak). At the edge of her land, she has also planted fruit trees, such as mangosteen and durian. The agroforestry method produces a variety of crops and is proven to be environmentally friendly.

“The rubber trees help prevent erosion by breaking the rainfall before it hits the ground,” Dewi explained when asked why she grows rubber trees on her land. “I can use some of the ground cover crops such as Titonia as a base for natural pesticides, and some other herbal mixes to stimulate plant growth,” she explained.

To stimulate bud growth, Dewi used a mixture of finely ground cassava leaves, golden snail eggs, and Indonesian bay leaves. The mixture is aged for a week before being sprayed to the plants.

“These natural pesticides aren’t just effective, they’re also cheap and has helped me reduce my farming costs,” Dewi said.

Surbakti from Doulu Village, North Sumatra is engaging in similar activities. Since 2007, he has been planting strawberries in an area less than a quarter hectare using environmentally friendly farming concepts that maintains the natural food chain system.

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If we can lead a healthier life, we can also stop poisoning the next generation

To fulfill his needs for fertilizers and pesticides, he utilizes waste from other farms and ranches around his land. Spoiled fruits and vegetables are fermented for fertilizer, while goat manure and urine are mixed with coconut water to be made into liquid compost.

With such natural farming materials, Posman has managed to grow fresher strawberries with a vibrant red color and sweeter taste. According to him, they are more marketable because they last longer and don’t require storage in the refrigerator.

At a time when the price of fertilizer is skyrocketing and supplies are scarce, the momentum to reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides is stronger than ever. Posman is often asked to provide guidance to other villages. He has even independently spread the knowledge he gained from ESP’s Field School program to more than 10 other villages in Tanah Karo. “I taught them for free,” Posman said.

Natural fertilizers and pesticides aren’t just cheap, but also healthier. “If we can lead a healthier life by developing environmentally friendly farming methods, we can also stop poisoning the next generation,” he said.

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Curbing Deforestation WITH VILLAGE ORDINANCE

Ngargomulyo’s village ordinance has also inspired other villages in the Merapi slopes to enact similar ordinances

Rampant illegal logging and sand mining have decimated half of the forest in Gunung Merapi National Park, Magelang, Central Java. The Field School helped residents share and analyze solutions to existing environmental pressures. The resulting Village Ordinance is a source of pride and accomplishment for all stakeholders involved.

From the total 485 hectares of community-managed forest in the Gunung Merapi National Park, about 50% is considered degraded land. Of the already degraded 233.88 hectares, about 50 hectares now constitutes barren land.

Fortunately, over the past two years, communities have begun to realize the importance of conserving the Merapi region. One such environmentally aware community is the Ngargomulyo Village in the Dukun Sub-District, Magelang District. The village lies on the west side of Mount Merapi and is only seven kilometers away from the volcano’s peak, making it a part of Merapi’s most disaster-prone area. Over the years, Ngargomulyo village has observed the increased damage to state-managed and community-managed forest.

Widodo, one of the villagers, explained how awareness begins with concern that the picturesque beauty of Merapi’s slope, which has a great potential for ecotourism, will soon vanish if the forest is poorly managed.

In mid 2009, a fresh breeze of hope emerged from Ngargomulyo. The Ngargomulyo Village Ordinance No. 3 of 2009, regarding Environmental Management, was finally enacted.

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“The youth and a number of village elders frequently held informal discussions at my house. As we talked about the Merapi region, we began developing the idea for the village ordinance,” Widodo said.

Initially, discussions regarding the village ordinance stalled because people argued over technical matters, instead of trying to find a common ground. A breakthrough happened after some of the villagers joined ESP’s Field School for Central Java and Yogyakarta regions in 2007.

Ngargomulyo Village sign detailing sustainable forest regulations

Field School participants are encouraged to review their villages’ potential, including its natural and human resources, as well as social, physical and financial potentials. The participatory nature of the Field School’s learning method has enabled the participants to examine and identify the problems they are facing.

The push for simple, practical regulations began. The drafting process for the village ordinance began slowly, involving the community, village administrators and organizations, and relevant government services.

“We tried to involve the leaders of loggers and sand miners in the process. Making them realize the urgency of the situation was quite difficult, but eventually, they agreed to join our cause to improve our village,” Ngargomulyo Village’s youth leader Sutarji said.

The finished draft was submitted to the village government and to Magelang District’s Environmental Office, Mining and Energy Office, and Government Administration Office. After a deliberation process lasting five months, Ngargomulyo Village Representative Council enacted the village ordinance on June 4th, 2009.

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People are becoming more confident about what they should do when they see environmental damage

However, implementing the village ordinance has been an unanticipated challenge. Village Secretary M. Muji explained that public dissemination of the new ordinance was still needed.

This includes enforcement, using signs and distributing stickers with ordinace-related information.

At the moment, river ecosystem conservation signs are present, forbidding people to catch fish using electricity or poison. “Soon, we will also put up warnings against hunting, logging, and sand mining in the Merapi slopes,” Muji said.

Muji said that thanks to the new village ordinance, villagers are becoming more aware of protecting the forest and environment around Merapi.

“The people are becoming more confident about what they should do when they see environmental problems. Whenever they see deforested land, they are compelled to begin reforestation efforts, either in groups or individually,” he said.

“Ngargomulyo’s village ordinance has also inspired other villages in the Merapi slopes to enact similar ordinances. I’m hopeful that through this village ordinance, the forest ecosystem will be restored.”

Multi-Party Approach: LINKING UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM

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ESP helped us connect with the upstream communities and relieved some of our work load

Stakeholders in West Java were brought together under ESP-facilitated tated conservation initiatives. A multi-party approach, linking upstream and downstream communities, as well as government officials from relevant offices, has helped improve environmental quality.

Tardan Setiawan, Director of the Clean Water Supply Department at Bandung municipal water company, acknowledged that cooperation with communities, especially those living upstream, have greatly helped the company.

“ESP helped us connect with the upstream communities and relieved some of our work load,” Tardan said.

Tardan felt that ESP conducted its program with impressive consideration for the community’s socio-economic conditions. Such approach has nurtured positive local attributes, including gotong royong, or mutual assistance.

“Conservation does not simply consist of re-greening or tree planting activities; it also consists of many other activities suitable to specific local conditions. And I believe this is what ESP is doing. They are educating the community and encouraging them to work for a better future,” he said.

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Tardan knows that persuading vegetable farmers to plant tree crops on their plots is a challenge, but through the Field School, the community learned how tree crops can also serve hydrological functions. Overtime, they overcame their reluctance, and were willing to plant trees.

A multi-party approach, linking upstream and downstream communities, as well as government officials from relevant offices, has helped improve environmental quality

One of the activities conducted by Bandung municipal water company with upstream communities is a joint effort to reduce water loss. According to Tardan, many large cities tend to have considerable levels of water loss. The ideal limit for water loss is around 20 percent, but some have experienced losses of up to 50 percent.

The cause could be attributed to both technical and administrative factors.

To prevent excessive water loss and ensure long term water availability, the water company has conducted regreening in Cikapundung River’s upstream region, in collaboration with communities around the area. For the short term, the company helped by providing Biopori, a simple method to improve absorption. They also constructed infiltration wells to absorb water run off. At this moment, Bandung municipal water company needs 4,600 liters of water per second. However, current production can only supply 2,620 liters of water per second.

Tardan hopes that in the future, these multi-party collaborations can be maintained with assistance from professional institutions, including universities. He is concerned that without supervision and assistance, the community’s goodwill might be misused by irresponsible parties.

“Through ESP’s programs and activities, working with the communities actually feels fun,” he said.

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Through ESP’s programs and activities, working with the communities actually feels fun

A Nursery’s Success:

SEEDLING DEVELOPMENT IN ACEH

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With knowledge of plant propagation, Husin and his partner Asnawi developed highquality seedlings

ating The Jruek Balee nursery in Aceh is consistently expanding, creating strict new jobs, and positively impacting the community’s economy. District heads, local and international NGOs, students, lecturers, and even Free Aceh Movement’s ex-combatants, have visited the nursery to learn about producing seedlings and developing organic farming.

Jruek Balee is a village in Jruek sub-District, Aceh Besar District. The Krueng Aceh (Aceh River) flows through the village on its way to Banda Aceh.

When ESP began its Sustainable Livelihood Assessment (SLA) in this village in May 2006, the villagers suggested that ESP carry out environmental conservation activities. One suggestion was to create a nursery so that empty plots and abandoned plantations could be replanted and made productive again.

No one was willing to offer their land for the nursery, until a villager named Husin stepped forward. He allowed part of his land to be used, free of charge. Husin’s land is located quite far from the villagers’ homes. Due to the armed conflict at the time, visiting the nursery felt almost like entering a war zone.

Husin and his partner Asnawi were invited by ESP to attend a nursery training in Medan.

They also supplied 3,500 high-quality rambutan seedlings and polybags, or black plastic bags where the seedlings would grow. Jruek Balee villagers were given the seedlings, provided that they trade one high-quality rambutan seedling for 20 seeds of another fruit (mango, durian, etc).

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The program was met with an enthusiastic response.

One villager even brought a sack ďŹ lled with fruit seeds to be exchanged for the high-quality rambutan seedlings. Tens of thousands of seeds were collected in a short period of time. These seeds would be grown and used in the grafting process. With knowledge of plant propagation learned in Medan, Husin and his partner Asnawi developed high-quality seedlings.

A number of activities, such as orders for seedlings and organic fertilizer, sending out trainers to teach seedling techniques, and providing ďŹ eld laboratory facilities, Jruek Balee community-based nursery has become a learning have generated income for Jruek Balee villagers. place, visited by people who wants to know more about planting Sawdust, rice husks, and animal waste, which was previously thrown away without any consideration for the environment, are now being collected by the villagers and used as raw materials to produce organic fertilizer. Vegetables planted by Jruek Balee farmers have been selling well because customers value quality produce using organic fertilizer.

This success has convinced the Aceh branch of Bank Syariah Mandiri to provide Rp. 100 million in soft loans for Husin and his friends. The farmers group produces an average of 50-100 bokasi (organic fertilizer) per month. Approximately 60% of their revenue is given back to the community, as payment for their collection of organic fertilizer raw materials.

Activities are continuing to expand, from seedling development and the harvesting cocoa, potatoes and organic vegetables, to the production of bokasi, liquid fertilizer, and biopesticides. Through these practices, the plantation has evolved from a terrifying place and become a center of action and hope.

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The plantation has evolved from a terrifying place and become a center of action and hope

Creating An Energy Independent Village: COMMUNITY-BASED BIOGAS INITIATIVE

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This biogas idea is great, but we didn’t have the money to make it a reality

Arisan is a familiar term in Indonesia, especially among housewives. wives.

The arisan is a community initiative that gives individuals or families milies the opportunity to access a large amount of capital at one time. This promotes investment in seemingly expensive endeavors, such h as constructing a bathroom, renovating a home, or in the case of Argosari Village, generating biogas.

In Argosari Village, Malang District, East Java, the arisan has become the community’s preferred method for creating an energy independent village. Over the course of the arisan, each member contributes to a large pool of money by paying specified amounts at set intervals (usually monthly). At each interval, members take turns hosting gatherings whereby members compete to win the jackpot. With capital collected from the arisan, the villagers are able to invest in generating energy.

Argosari is a remote village in the eastern part of Malang District. It faces plenty of environmental challenges including degraded forest areas, pollution, diminishing springs, and an increasing amount of unmanaged cow manure. A survey conducted by a farmer’s group revealed that, on average, each family requires half a bundle of firewood for their daily needs. According to this average, each family consumes approximately 180 bundles of firewood in a year, destroying 4 trees aged 10 - 15 years old.

To tackle these environmental problems, ESP facilitated meetings between villagers to develop solutions. They analyzed potential local resources that could be further developed in the village.

One of their ideas was to turn cow manure into biogas.

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“Strange, how is it possible to use animal waste as fuel?” asked one of the dairy farmers from Bendrong Hamlet, as he observed a plastic biogas installation. Their curiosity led the villagers to eagerly explore the use biogas as a viable alternative fuel source. However, they lacked the start-up capital to begin constructing a biogas installation of their own.

“This biogas idea sounded great, but we didn’t have the money to make it a reality,” said Buono, one of the villagers.

To tackle environmental problems, ESP facilitated meetings between villagers to come up with solutions and discover potential resources that can be further developed in the village. One of the ideas was to turn cow manure into biogas

Eventually, the villagers agreed on the idea of a biogas arisan. Each arisan member must contribute Rp. 75,000 to the pool every month. With 25 members contributing to the pool, the monthly winner will win almost USD$200, giving them the opportunity to invest in a household biogas unit. Over the course of the arisan, every member will build their own unit with the assistance of their fellow Argosari neighbors.

In addition to meeting their daily fuel needs, the biogas unit also allows them to sell excess energy to supplement their family income. Today, the unmanaged piles of cow manure have been organized by the community members. Every day, the manure provides cost-effective energy and environmentally friendly benefits for the entire community.

Construction of the first biogas installation began in January 2009. The community estimated that they would require approximately two years to construct the 25 anticipated biogas units.

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“When every dairy farmer has a biogas installation, I’m sure this village will be energy independent

The biogas produced by Argosari has inspired others to implement similar environmentallyfriendly initiatives. For example, in early 2009 the chemical manufacturer PT Petrokimia Gresik provided two pregnant cows valued at Rp. 30 million to each farmer’s group in Argosari.

“When every dairy farmer has a biogas installation, I’m sure this village would become energy independent,” said Slamet, an Argosari villager.

“There are many advantages to using biogas,” said Wasis, the arisan member who had won the first lottery. Before his biogas installation, his daily activities involved gathering grass for his livestock, transporting animal waste to a place far from his home, and searching for firewood in the forest 3 kilometers away. Now, the waste from his livestock replaces his need for firewood. Wasis can now focus on gathering grass and also has time to pursue his other interests. According to Wasis, cooking with biogas also keeps his cooking utensils clean and maintains their quality. “I no longer have to scrub the utensils when I am finished cooking,” said Misna, Wasis wife.

Today, Argosari is slowly transforming into a clean and beautiful village. Residents are proud observers of the visible impact they have made. More importantly, housewives no longer have to trek to the forest in search of firewood. They have an environmentally-friendly energy source at their fingertips.

Putting People In The Plan:

A “SWAKELOLA” APPROACH TO SPATIAL PLANNING

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A Spatial Plan that can accommodate interests and desires of the community is necessary for putting people into the Plan

The drafting of Papua’s Provincial Spatial Plan uses an innovative ative “swakelola” or self-reliant approach. This approach diverges significantly antly from conventional consulting practices. It gives the Regional Development ment Planning Agency, or Bappeda, the core responsibility in drafting the Spatial Plan.

Papua Province is endowed with abundant natural resources. It has vast forest, gas and mineral reservoirs, fishery and plantation prospects, as well as tourism potential. Ironically, even with so many natural resources, most Papuans still live below the poverty line.

A Spatial Plan that can accommodate the interests and desires of the community is necessary for putting people, especially indigenous Papuans and marginalized populations, into the Plan.

The Indonesian Government, through The Spatial Planning Law No. 26/2007, mandated Papua Province draw up a Provincial Spatial Plan to be enacted no more than two years after the Spatial Planning Law was passed. The Provincial Spatial Plan will be Papua’s Spatial Master Plan, guiding the next 20 years and accommodating the utilization of space for all Papuans.

“We hope that the Spatial Plan can answer the Papuan paradox, where population is small and natural resources are abundant, yet its people remain poor,” said Alex Sumasap, head of Papua Provincial-level Bappeda. A third party was requested by Bappeda to help facilitate open communication between the government and the people, a role taken by ESP in late 2008.

The swakelola approach to Papua’s Spatial Plan was introduced by ESP and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom (FCO) at the request of Governor Alex Suebu in 2008.

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One map included in Papua’s Spatial Plan using an innovative “swakelola” or self-reliant approach

ESP’s swakelolah approach is expected to guide subsequent District and village-level spatial planning in ways which engage key stakeholders and ensure lasting respect by government agencies, the private sector, and local communities. It encourages closer and more dynamic inter-institutional linkages, horizontally with other provincial government agencies, as well as vertically, down to Sub-districts and up to National agencies, yielding more reliable and efficient information sharing about plans, programs and databases with spatial implications. Bappeda has further strengthened inter-institutional linkages by inviting NGOs and other partners into the information-sharing and response process.

ESP’s approach is notably different from the past. Previous Spatial Plan drafts submitted by third parties were rife with problems. In the interest of being quick and cost effective, these Spatial Plans lacked accurate data and provided limited consultation with important stakeholders.

Oftentimes data produced by consultants was inconsistent with observed field conditions, creating discrepancies in resulting land utilization.

A bottom-up approach for drafting the Spatial Plan would enable specific approaches that conform to the community’s interests, needs, customary rights and indigenous patterns, with special attention to land-use practices.

“As the community maps their regions, there will be discussions to secure mutual approval. This is crucial to avoid conflict.” Abner Mansai said.

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A bottom-up approach for Spatial Planning enables specific approaches that conform to the community’s interests

The end product of this swakelolah spatial planning process is a Provincial Regulation outlining Papua’s Spatial Plan. At this moment, the generated reports and maps are being formatted in legal language to become the draft Provincial Regulation. Produced by experts from various backgrounds, with support from ESP, Provincial-level Bappeda, District-level Bappeda, and Provincial Administrator Work Unit (SKPD), these reports will be released in December 2009.

Daswil Bakar, Head of Monitoring and Development for Bappeda says, “We are so excited because we have achieved our aspirations. Moreover, if this system can be extended to the district level, we see the possibility of agreements between the districts over accurate data.” This is an important factor, as local data often varies significantly from official statistics.

ESP’s emphasis on a swakelolah approach helps bridge differences that arise between various institutions involved in the drafting process. As a result, it resolves conflicts that were once considered unsurpassable. Most importantly, it promotes mutual ownership and responsibility for the future development of Papua.

Information Resource Center: PROMOTING TRANSPARENCY

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Without Lab Simtaru, the new Spatial Plan would have no reliable method of enforcement

ieves Nofaldi, ESP’s Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist, believes ut an that it is impossible to prepare Papua’s Regional Spatial Plan without iders Information Systems Laboratory. Known as“Lab Simtaru”, Nofaldi considers the laboratory a resource center that plays an integral part in promoting transparent implementation and enforcement of Papua’s Spatial Plan.

Papua’s Spatial Plan is the direct responsibility of the Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda). ESP offers institutional capacity building and expert assistence to support their work.

Nofaldi and other ESP GIS experts are tasked with re-activating the under-resourced Spatial Information System Laboratory (Lab Simtaru) to support spatial planning at the provincial, district, and city level.

Lack of human resources at the Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda) caused Lab Simtaru to lay dormant. It was last used during the Land & Marine Resource and Evaluation (LREP & MREP) project in the 1990s. However, with the fresh exchange of knowledge with ESP in 2008, and the goal of developing the capacity of Bappeda’s staff to prepare Papua’s Provincial Spatial Plan, Lab Simtaru underwent an enormous transformation.

The laboratory now serves as a data and information compilation center, where people can access and contribute up-to-date information about population, income level, and maps as reference tools. The resources contained within Lab Simtaru are very valuable for the analysis necessary to prepare Papua’s Spatial Plan.

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For comprehensive coverage, the lab also integrates maps from various organizations including Conservation International, WWF, Samdhana Institute, Association for Assessment and Empowerment of Indigenous People (Perkumpulan Pengkajian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Adat), and Environmental Foundation (Yayasan Lingkungan Hidup).

The laboratory now serves as a data and information compilation center, where people can access and contribute up-to-date information

“Without Lab Simtaru, the new Spatial Plan would have no reliable method of enforcement. For example, if I want to open a palm oil plantation in Jayapura District, I can now refer to the Spatial Plan document to find out whether the site I’ve selected is part of a national park and thus, off limits.”

“With help from the database and maps in Lab Simtaru, I wouldn’t just find out why I can’t locate my plantation in a national park. I would also discover suitable locations for my plantation that are specifically allocated for such use,” Nofaldi said.

Nofaldi added that the Spatial Plan does contain geographical information, but other data such as dynamic maps, in either printed or digital form, are centrally stored at Lab Simtaru.

“Various departments and institutions hold maps that only suit their specific needs. The Public Works Office has a development map, while the Forestry Office has a conservation map. We can only imagine how many different maps are being generated for the same area. Centrally storing the maps at Lab Simtaru helps open up information about the general direction of Jayapura’s spatial use,” said Nofaldi.

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For optimal operation of the laboratory, it must build the quality of its human resources

Abner, a law and policy expert from WWF Indonesia, also agrees that the Spatial Information System Laboratory should be re-activated. “For optimal operation of the laboratory, it must build the quality of its human resources.”

In the future, Lab Simtaru will face numerous challenges, especially funding issues for the maintenance of maps, equipment, satellite images, Papua’s aerial photos, and other stored materials. The existence of the laboratory must also be publicized to the public and promoted through the internet. Furthermore, the laboratory will need staff to serve public requests for data.

This way, Lab Simtaru can fulfill its main purpose, as an open information center, available to everyone.

Village Village focuses on the innovative activities being implemented by robust community groups. These stories illustrate how local farmer groups, like those formed in Aceh by excombatants, oer environmentally-friendly sources of income. Stories from Central and West Java show how informal discussion forums, and nature rehabilitation movements advocate for environmental issues at the regional and National level. East Java introduces us to how community groups have found win-win solutions that protect and conserve the environment by working alongside local water supply companies. These farmer groups are continually working to improve their organizational and management capacities, like JAE in Sumatra, in order to promote long term impact for generations to come.

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Put Down the Guns, Pick up the Pruning Shears: COCOA FARMING IN ACEH

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I have nothing to lose if I fail, but if I succeed, I’ll have extra income

The peace agreement between the Free Aceh Movement and Indonendonesian Government, signed on August 15th, 2005, left ex-combatants ants for the Free Aceh Movement in a difficult situation. Many were without employment and forced to work menial jobs to support their families. The cocoa farming program is a part of ESP’s support for the Aceh Green program initiated by Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf.

One such ex-combatant is 35-years-old Masri MD, a resident of Pantee Kuyun Village, Aceh Jaya. To make ends meet, he took a job as a truck driver that only provides meager income.

One of his customers is ESP’s branch in Aceh. One day, at the end of 2008, they asked him to deliver cocoa seedlings to be planted by the members of Krueng Lageuen Concern Forum, a community group that focuses on conservation efforts in the area around Krueng Lageuen River.

“As I saw people hauling away cocoa seedlings from the truck to the planting area, I began thinking that I should try to plant cocoa too in my yard. I have nothing to lose if I fail, but if I succeed, I’ll have extra income,” Masri said.

Eventually, he picked up several cocoa seedlings that were left unplanted and planted them in his yard. His new hobby turned out to consume a large amount of his time. ESP staff who visited Pantee Kuyun Village were impressed by Masri’s dedication in caring for the cocoa seedlings and supplied him with 300 additional seedlings.

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The cocoa farming program is a part of ESP’s support for the Aceh Green program initiated by Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf.

ESP also sent Masri and other Pantee Kuyun villagers on a training and comparative study trip to a cocoa plantation in Medan on February 2009. “I’ve learned quite a lot,” Masri recalled, “from propagating cocoa plants to making compost and controlling pests with natural pesticides.”

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I hope that my cocoa garden can help me give my family a better future

Masri is currently heading the Pioneering Cocoa Farmers Group in Aceh Jaya, which consists of ten farmers from throughout Aceh Jaya. For at least ten days a month, members of the group are invited by NGOs, donor agencies, government offices, or academic institutions in Aceh to provide trainings about cocoa farming. The cocoa seedlings are now thriving in Masri’s yard.

However, another year is needed before the plants are mature enough to be harvested.

Tengku Miswar, another ex-combatant living in Teunom Sub-District, has begun to devote more time to cocoa farming.

“My cocoa trees have not produced fruit for two years and I thought they would never bear fruit again. So I started to plant rubber trees in the gaps between cocoa trees to eventually replace them. However, after I learned some cocoa farming techniques and received some help from the Pioneering Group to care for my trees, it turned out that the cocoa trees can still flower. I was amazed to see so many flowers blooming on my cocoa trees. I hope that my cocoa garden can help me give my family a better future,” Masri said.

Field School Solutions:

RAISING CATTLE COMMUNALLY

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Everyone wants to do well, to have a lot of cattle that sell at a high price

The Field School approach initialized the mobilization of community munity groups to address both economic livelihood and sanitation challenges llenges in Magelang, East Java. As a result more than 70 families take shared responsibility for communal cattle pens, increading their incomes and keeping their homes free from cattle.

Approximately 3,000-square meters of land belonging to the village head, and commonly known as bengkok, has undergone a transformation. The village head has erected bamboo sheds which surround a large central gazebo structure.

The gazebo serves as a meeting hall for the locals and is frequently used by the ESP Field School (FS) program for neighboring villages. The bamboo pens function as a communal animal pen owned by the residents of Citrosono Village, Gabrak Sub-district, Magelang District. ‘’Everyone wants to do well, to have a lot of cattle that sell at a high price. Also, the neighborhood is clean because the pen is situated here, far from people’s homes,” said Mutafiin, 27, when asked about the purpose of building the pen and gazebo.

Mutafiin owned one cow which was hosted at one of the communal sheds. The cow is the result of his hard work. His initial herd of three goats eventually grew to nine goats, all of which he then sold to buy a cow.

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Raising cattle was Mutafiin’s side job. While tending to his dry field, he searched for grass in the Mount Telomoyo forest. After attending the ESP Field School in early 2008, Mutafiin described how he and a number of local villagers envisioned the construction of a communal pen separate from the locals’ homes.

Mutafiin feeds cattle in one of the communal cattle pens as a result of the Field School’s community Action Plan

The idea, laid down in a village program proposal, was met with positive feedback from many other village residents. One of them was the village chief, who supported the concept by providing a 3,000-square meter plot of land. In less than a month, the bengkok plot, which was formerly only planted with corn once a year, had turned into a more lucrative communitymanaged cattle pen.

More than 70 families take responsibility for maintaining the cattle pens. The area is further equipped with a village nursery unit, sanitation facility, and bamboo-based meeting hall. The Dlimas Manunggal Cattle Group functions as a cooperative and often gathers in the meeting hall to discuss management and maintenance of the cattle pen.

Muntafiin explained how the bengkok plot was then compartmentalized into 4x6-meter lots.

He took up one lot and built a shed on it with old pieces of wood. “We only have to pay Rp. 20,000/year to occupy that plot. All of the lots are taken, but not all of the villagers have opted to build sheds. If they had, there would be hundreds of them,” he said.

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The house also looks cleaner and flies don’t show up like they used to

The community made use of the rich vegetation surrounding the area as a source of cattle feed. Almost all families who lived on the forest perimeter owned cattle or goats. They shared their living space with their herd, sometimes only separated by a wall or bamboo weaving.

Despite frequent bouts of diarrhea and malaria, the community was reluctant to connect their illness to their proximity to their livestock understand the unhygienic cattle’s effect on their health. They argued that sharing their home made it easier for them to watch over their herd.

“It makes it easier for us to feed them or give them water in the evening. If they’re far away, feeding them would take extra effort. Worse still, if the cows are pregnant or calving, the owner would have to work extra hard for them if their shed is far away from the house,” said Zaenuddin, 45, the Chairman of the Dlimas Manunggal Cattle Group.

Dlimas Manunggal has 20 members so far, all of them keeping their herds in the communal pens. They also share night watch duties to keep away thieves.

Zaenuddin admitted that he felt the benefits of having a cattle pen separate from his house. ‘’We now use one of the old sheds for storing farming tools and equipment. The house also looks cleaner and flies don’t show up like they used to,” he said.

Water Catchment Collaboration: WATER USERS PROMOTE CONSERVATION EFFORTS

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Bumiaji is a part of Brantas River. If the environment is damaged, repair efforts must be conducted immediately

Water resources are often exploited beyond the ability for preservation. tion.

Keeping water flowing requires cooperation from all parties, especially cially the direct beneficiaries. This is exactly what Bambang Parianom,, the Head of Environmental Office, Malang, had in mind when he invited a number of parties to join his initiative to preserve water resources.

Bumiaji Sub-District is a highland area adjacent to Mojokerto District and Malang District. The area contains at least 57 springs. They serve as the principle raw water supply for municipal water companies (PDAM). As years go by, these springs have lost their capacity by up to 50 percent. If the situation is not immediately corrected, these water resources will dry up within 20 years and the residents of Malang Raya (comprised of Batu City, Malang City, and Malang District) will experience severe water crisis.

Based on the available data, at least 4,000 hectares of forest in Bumiaji Sub-District have been lost or converted for other uses. Forest belonging to State Forest Company (Perhutani) suffered even worse, with more than 6,000 hectares being lost or converted for other uses. These losses affect the amount of water flowing from Sumber Brantas Arboretum, decreasing its debit from 12 cubic meters per second to merely 2 cubic meters per second. In 2002, water completely stopped flowing due to landslides from the surrounding hills.

Sumber Brantas Village is part of Bumiaji reservoir. The source of Brantas River is springs from this village. The hydroelectric dam at Karangkates, Malang District, also depends on the water supply from the area.

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“Bumiaji lies on the upper part of Brantas River. If the environment around these parts is damaged, repair efforts must be conducted immediately,” he said.

Tree-planting activities are not just about burrying seedling in the soil, but also about maintaining and taking care of them

For months, Bambang Parianom went in and out of villages around Bumiaji, trying to determine the cause of forest destruction and the roots of environmental problems in the area under his administration. Bambang also encouraged the villagers to preserve their springs.

However, without cooperation from other stakeholders, Bambang and the Bumiaji residents’ efforts would be futile.

By the end of December 2006, Bambang managed to organize approximately 1,000 volunteers from various backgrounds to join the Bumiaji Nature Rehabilitation Intensification Movement (Gerakan Intensifikasi Rehabilitasi Alam Bumiaji - GIRAB).

The movement aims to develop and utilize Bumiaji’s potential so that natural resources can be used sustainably. Also involved is PT Pembangkit Jawa Bali (PT PJB), which has been using the Brantas River to power its Sutami Karangkates Hydroelectric Plant in Malang District. PJB is a subsidiary of State Electricity Company (PLN) that supplies 6,530 MW of electric power for Java.

At the time, PJB allocated about 110 million Rupiah to support environmental conservation activities in Bumiaji. The fund was then used to buy about 2,000 seedlings to be planted in critical degraded areas.

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With knowledge of plant propagation, Husin and his partner Asnawi developed highquality seedlings

Eventually, more and more stakeholders became involved in Bumiaji’s environmental activities, including State Forest Company (Perhutani), PT Jasa Tirta, and Raden Soeryo CommunityBased Forest Park (Taman Hutan Rakyat Raden Soeryo), resulting in more than 100,000 trees being planted in degraded land around the villages of Sumber Brantas, Tulungrejo, Bulukerto, Sumbergondo, Punten, Gunung Sari, and Giripurno.

Today, three years have passed since the momentous cooperative movement. More time is needed for the trees to grow big enough to serve as an effective water catchment area.

Communities should also be continuously encouraged to maintain the planted trees.

To prevent conservation activities from becoming merely ceremonial events and to make their impact last longer, the local government should enact regulations to better manage water resources. The regulations should also include rules to preserve water resources. Unfortunately, existing regulations are only concerned with water use levies, and lack obligations for preserving water resources. The regulations should involve all stakeholders, from local government, residents, water companies, and water resources managers.

“It takes patience and determination to run a sustainable conservation program,” Bambang said.

Local Water Regulation: CULTIVATING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH “REBOAN” FORUM

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When the community needs something, they plan for it through the Village Action Plan

When it comes to conservation and environmental protection, tection, Magelang District Government has shown us the importance e of an integrated effort. The Village Action Plan is a result of informal, mal, yet robust, discussion forums which have garnered significant local & national level attention.

Spearheading Magelang’s conservation initiatives is the Coordination Team for Planning Fund Utilization to Conserve Water Resources, from Magelang District Government. The Team has created and implemented environmental conservation programs in a clear, targeted, and sustainable manner, using conservation funds provided by the Magelang District’s water utility (PDAM).

Conservation funding is quite strong. In fiscal year 2008, the amount provided was Rp. 800 million (USD 80,000), with an implementation team comprised of 6 government agencies and 3 non-governmental organizations. In 2009, the amount provided was increased to Rp. 1.3 billion (USD 130,000), with an implementation team comprised of 10 government agencies and 6 non-governmental organizations, including, among others, The Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda), Environmental Service, Animal Husbandry and Fishery Service, Administration of Merbabu National Park, Administration of Merapi National Park, Office of the Ministry of Mining and Energy, NGOs (Gaspari, Mentari, and Parikopi), and ESP. However, the availability of funds doesn’t automatically translate to effective implementation of conservation programs. In fact, team leader Bambang Dono Kuncoro revealed that problems arise from the bureaucracy itself.

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“Bureaucrats are used to carrying out programs by breaking it down into projects. A program is considered done when every activity has been carried out with the accompanying formal record as evidence,” he said.

Bambang added that another problem is that development planning was often conducted without considering regional conditions and only from the perspective of each agency.

“There is not yet an integrated planning system to deal with environmental problems in a region,” he said.

Field School participants conducting a water quality monitoring activity

Faced with such obstacles, the team moved quickly by organizing an informal discussion forum held on each Wednesday. To emphasize the informality, the meeting is dubbed “Jamaah Reboan,” meaning “the Wednesday get together”. The forum becomes a medium for sharing insights, lessons learned, and ideas about how to carry out water source conservation in a realistic manner.

“We needed a year before the bureaucrats began to put aside their institutional ego. To break through the often imaginary barriers that limited them to their own main duties and functions, and made them willing to accept criticism from NGOs. Difficult as it is, we view it as a dynamic and necessary process for moving forward,” Bambang Dono Kuncoro said.

The Wednesday meetings have managed to break down walls between members with differing opinions. By the second year, the meetings’ atmosphere had grown less tense and the team held serious discussions, while still cracking jokes. Team member interaction has become more fluid. Oftentimes, a call for a meeting can be conveyed simply by short text message to each team member’s cell phone.

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This way, we can work side by side to improve Magelang District’s worsening environmental condition

Through the debates, the multiparty team found two central themes for their activities: (1) conservation should be a part of overall village development and (2) a good conservation program needs a hydro-geological assessment.

Bambang Heri Subrastowo, a team member and head of the Wana Hijau Lestari Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH) in Sambak Village, said that the multiparty team reflects not just the success of environmental service program, but also the learning process for the community.

“Bottom-up development planning is becoming the norm. When the community needs something, they plan for it through the village Activion Plan,” he said.

He also hoped that the implementation of environmental service activities would not emphasize on theory, but also practice. “This way, the farmers, the community, and the government can work side by side to improve Magelang District’s challenging environmental condition.”

Living Problems:

FIELD SCHOOL PRODUCES HIGH HOPES

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The Field School has given the villagers an alternative solution to development in the village, while still preserving the environment

Environmental awareness can be fostered, as proven by the people le of Tangkil Village in Caringin Sub-District, Bogor District, West Java. The Field school approach empowered Tangkil Village to actively solve “living iving problems” by fostering participation, confidence, dialogue, joint decisionmaking and self-determination.

Tangkil Village lies in an area adjacent to Gede-Pangrango National Park (TNGP). Home to 8,400 people, the 664 area is primarily occupied by seasonally paid farmers and herders of chickens and goats. Towards the end of 2007, ESP conducted a Field School in collaboration with Yayasan Prakarsa and Raptor Conservation Society (RCS), a local bird conservation group in Cibodas, Cianjur.

Ciburial spring is the main raw water resource for the local water company (PDAM) Tirta Pakuan Bogor. The PDAM relies heavily on the spring to expand water services for anticipated piped connections. As part of the Field School, participants identified environmental problems.

Manta, 45, a Tangkil local who joined the Field School in 2007 explained his concerns for his forest. The Field School participants are concerned that villagers are mono-cropping in the forest; this can be potentially damaging to the environment and dangerous for the villagers, due to increased risks of landslide. Trees are important for slowing down rain water so as to promote better absorption in the ground. In addition to increasing water supply for the spring, trees are also serving to reduce landslide risks.

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At the end of their training in early 2008, Field School participants agreed to form Saluyu farmer’s group. This group devised an Action Plan to improve their livelihood while simultaneously fostering forest conservation.

The Field School approach empowered Tangkil Village to actively solve “living problems” by fostering participation, confidence, dialogue, joint decision-making and selfdetermination

At the Field School, participants received trainings about growing endemic seedlings and identifying the best seedling quality. After five years, the farmers harvest some trees and plant other seedlings to replace them.

By acknowledging the important role trees play, farmers are encouraged to maintain a healthy crop and tree balance.

Manta has been serving as the head of the Saluyu farmer’s group since 2008. Together with ESP, they continue to plant trees. Seedlings donated by ESP were sown in a 5-by-2-meters plot and subsequently planted in the land belonging to each group member. The resulting crops will be shared by the village government, landowners, and Saluyu farmer’s group.

With the awareness of the economical value of a tree, and the importance of forest conservation in the long term, the people of Tangkil Village now realize the impact forest conservation directly has on their lives.

The villagers added additional livelihood skills to their Action Plan, including environmental friendly farming like: farming catfish, raising rabbits and sheep, sewing and embroidery, and community-based solid waste management. In addition to the development of Action Plans, the Field School also taught the participants about organizing, implementing and monitoring community-based knowledge and activities.

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Sustainable tree planting can prevent landslides and help preserve water sources

“The Field School has given the villagers an alternative solution to development in the village, while still preserving the environment. Sustainable tree planting can prevent landslides and help preserve water sources,” said Manta.

It is hoped that continuous planting and cultivation in this village will improve the villagers’ welfare. These activities will also minimize unauthorized exploitation of timber and forest land, especially within TNGP, so that water resources will continue to be an asset for the region for years to come.

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Building An Organization: FARMER GROUPS DEVELOP MANAGEMENT SKILLS

We were called crazy when we started the Field School and SLA. So we didn’t care if we were branded crazy again

The sound of spirited discussion in Karo language can be heard from a 6-by-12 square meter house in Tanjung Barus Village, Barus Jahe SubDistrict, Tanah Karo, North Sumatra. Even the pouring rain cannot subdue bdue the fierce debate.

“Let’s set aside discussions about the loan. What’s important is that anyone who loaned any money must pay it back. We should wait for the report in our meeting early next month so we can discuss our next Action Plan,” said Freden Barus, one of the farmers present in the house.

The debate is part of a monthly meeting conducted by Arih Ersada Network (Jaringan Arih Ersada - JAE), a farmer’s organization established as a follow-up to Sustainability Livelihood Assessment (SLA) program and Field School for farmers in 7 villages within Barus Jahe SubDistrict, Tanah Karo. These seven villages: Siberteng, Tanjung Barus, Tangkidik, Penampen, Gurisen, Kabung, and Serdang, make up an area called Lau Biang, and is part of the largest watershed in North Sumatra.

Since the method was developed two years ago, people’s enthusiasm for organic farming has only grown. Eventually, they came to a realization that they must unite and develop a strong network between villages so as to speed up the expansion of ecological farming.

However, managing community organizations is a new experience for most farmers.

Challenges have arisen that require open discussion. One problem for instance, is about money management. The farmers who participated in JAE’s trainings often assume that they will be

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provided with transportation and food allowance during trainings. However, JAE lacks the operational funding capacity to support farmers, leaving them to pay out of their own pockets.

“After several training sessions, we would tell the participants that there’s no budget to buy food and we’ve been training with funds from the organizers’ own pocket,” said Berlin Oke Barus, the head of JAE.

Managing community organizations is a new experience for most farmers; challenges have arisen that require open discussion

A similar situation occurred with Forum Masyarakat Sibolangit (Formasi) Pelita Kasih, a farmer’s organization at Deli upstream watershed, North Sumatra. The organization, which aims to encourage healthy farming for healthy water resources, is managed based on the principle of trust and openness.

Unfortunately, this trust lacks support from a strong management model to attend to the organization’s needs. In addition, a weak administration system is the result of low awareness regarding organizational structure, leaving the roles and functions of positions unclearly defined.

These farmer-led community organizations often require third parties for technical assistance to strengthen their organizational capacity and reputability.

“The main focus is still the community itself. If they’re not ready, then all our efforts will be in vain,” said Rukun Sinukaban, the leader of Formasi.

One of the farmers’ pressing problems is product marketing. “Many Formasi members want to sell produce in markets that value organic products,” Sinukaban continued.

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We should be focusing on how to attain health and welfare together, and we should grow rich together

Farmers are often dependent on prices set by collectors, making them eager to find other marketing outlets. “Take celery for instance. Collectors only paid farmers Rp. 500 per bundle, but in Medan’s Central Market, a bundle of celery is worth Rp. 4,000. Farmers can’t do anything about it because the collectors call the shots,” said Taufik, the head of Ersinalsal, a community group established following Field School and SLA in Sibayak Valley, Tanah Karo.

To counter the collectors’ influence, Formasi Pelita Kasih and Ersinalsal have been actively encouraging farmers to form their own business units. They are now analyzing various farmerbased economic management models.

“We were called crazy when we started Field School and SLA. So we didn’t care if we were branded crazy again. We try to unite farmers to respond to market challenges. We want to become independent and continue helping farmers long after various programs from ESP and other agencies supporting us have ended,” Taufik continued.

Seeing the possibilities from Farmers groups like Formasi is encouraging other farmers to unite and look to the future.

“We should be focusing on how to attain health and welfare together, and we should grow rich together,” said Dina Kartika Sari Nasution, ESP field staff in a discussion with farmers in Sibolangit.

Reef Reef represents the hard work and impressive leadership of stakeholders in downstream urban and peri-urban sites. These downstream water users work to promote effective solid waste management and well-maintained sanitation facilities. This section begins with a story about how urban Field School participants have adapted the farmer Field School approach to address urban-specific problems.

Other stories describe how community members like Bu Iyom in West Java are spreading awareness of solid waste and recycling opportunities to communities throughout Indonesia.

Other community groups, mostly spearheaded by women, promote health and hygiene education and behavior change. These driven leaders have successfully increased their access to safe and affordable water and sanitation facilities and have begun rolling-out a Clean, Green and Hygiene curriculum for greater Indonesia by leveraging government support.

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The Urban Field School: TACKLING SANITATION AND SOLID WASTE

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Those women are usually quiet and shy, so I was amazed at how well they could speak in public, as well as offer solutions

Something interesting happened in Pulo Kandang between July and rning December 2008. When housewives passed each other during morning n the chores, they would inquire, “Are you going to school today?” In afternoon, the housewives would be seen making their way to Al Hikmah Mosque, with bags slung over their shoulders and notebooks in their hands.

Soon after, people passing by the mosque would hear the housewives discussing garbage, the lack of clean water, or ways to keep their children from contracting diarrhea.

Pulo Kandang is a low-income neighborhood located only 100 meters from Mal Artha Gading, a luxurious shopping center in North Jakarta. This densely populated neighborhood is home to about 4,400 people, mostly working as scavengers, laundry workers, factory workers, public transportation drivers, and construction workers. They live among semi-permanent houses made of bamboo, discarded cartoons, wood, and scrap metal, built over a swamp.

The gatherings, scheduled each Tuesday from July to December 2008, were part of a Field School program conducted by ESP and the local NGO Watsan Action (Yayasan Tirta Lestari). Through the Field School, Pulo Kandang residents were assisted to identify a number of environmental problems in their neighborhood.

“As we collected data in our neighborhood, I realized that we have many environmental problems, especially with sanitation, clean water, and garbage. Garbage and human waste is dumped into the swamp, but flows right back to our homes,” said Hadriyah, a Field School alumni.

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Through the Field School, Pulo Kandang residents were assisted to identify a number of environmental problems in their neighborhood

After 14 classroom meetings, the Field School culminated in a Field Day, whereby Field School participants presented their newfound knowledge to local leaders, integrated health post (Posyandu) workers, community unit representatives, NGO partners, teachers, and health clinic staff. Although they appear unassuming, the Field School participants showed that they could identify the problems in their neighborhood and come back with solutions. They sketched maps for the presentation, showing their neighborhood complete with public sanitation facilities, such as public toilets, garbage dumps, and ground water sources.

“Human waste contains bacteria that can be transferred back into the human body through contaminated water, flies, and dirty hands, subsequently causing diarrhea,” explained Iin, a Field School participant as she held a diagram titled “Germ Transfer Cycle” in front of the invited guests.

To overcome sanitation problems identified during the Field School, Pulo Kandang residents created Action Plans for seven main activities: encouraging behavioral change, increasing the number of garbage bins and communal sanitation facilities, training for a community-based garbage processing, water filtration, drainage cleaning, and river maintenance.

By the Field Day, Field School participants had already managed to carry out two of their seven Action Plans: They encouraged behavioral change through a Hand Washing With Soap (HWWS) campaign in which 80 women and children participated, and they made 8 water filtration units, benefitting 19 households. Ten more water filtration units are currently being built. During the Field Day, the Field School alums expertly showed their guests how to use their water filter. Using a sand-based slow filter, they managed to filter swamp water and turn it into clear-looking water for bathing and washing.

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“The local government should collaborate with us and these women to fulfill their Action Plans

H. Miftah, a religious leader and head of Al Hikmah Islamic Foundation, whose mosque was used as the Field School location, was impressed with the participants’ ability to clearly explain what they had learned at the Field School.

“Those women are usually quiet and shy, so I was amazed at how well they could speak in public to explain the conditions in this neighborhood, as well as offer solutions,” he said.

“We have to help them and the local government should collaborate with us and these women to fulfill their Action Plans,” he added.

In the hands of these women, get-togethers have become a way to practice problem solving and organizational skills. In addition to their everyday lives, the women still find ways to address larger health and hygiene issues that plague their neighborhood, and that affect the lives of their families in the long term.

Responding to Customer Demands

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WATER COMPANIES IMPROVE THEIR IMAGE AND THE QUALITY OF SERVICES

I’ve learned a lot from this training. Many things that seemed impossibly difficult now look so easy and attainable

ny is Following years of uncertainty, Jayapura’s municipal water company mentslowly gaining stability. They are preparing to become a local governmenton to owned company, armed with a clear social mission and strategic vision improve the quality of their services. By improving performance, the water company should be able to expand service delivery and provide clean water, and an improved quality of life, to its customers.

The first step is to enhance the staff ’s communication skills. From November 12 to November 16, 2009, SPEAK Indonesia and ESP gave communication trainings for 15 Jayapura water company staff. The goal was to improve their capacity for writing press releases and other communication. As a result, the staff are more confident in their ability to develop materials such as posters and brochures, conduct communication activities such as press conferences, build networks with various parties, and improve media relations.

Meyke da Costa, the water company’s Head of Public Relations took part in the training and reflected on his experience. “I’ve learned a lot from this training,” he said. “Many things that seemed impossibly difficult now look so easy and attainable, such as drafting press releases and dealing with journalists.”

Sulistiono, a staff member in the water company’s Public Relations Division, was a participant in the training. “The training has made me realize that we need to improve the water company’s image, especially because we have increased our activities and staff is more frequently communicating with customers,” he said.

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Aside from increasing capacity, the training also encouraged the production of several communication strategy documents, developed by the participants themselves. The water company’s director supported these documents and integrated them into the water company’s 2010 Work Plan and 5-year Business and Corporate Plan. Furthermore, to improve management and the company’s image, the water company has allocated 500 million rupiah toward an image enhancement program.

Trained participants are currently establishing a Customer Forum, expected to function as a bridge between the water company and its customers. The Customer Forum will be a place where people can gather and discuss customers’ complaints, monitor water use, and receive water bill payments. In order to stay informed about customer’s perceptions towards the company, the Customer Forum has been working to gather the thoughts and opinions of community leaders. These leaders will be invited to take part in the process of establishing a Customer Representative Council.

Training participants conducting press conference in an effort to improve image of PDAM among public and local media

The efforts to improve do not stop there. The water company is also planning to survey its customers’ satisfaction and use the results as a reference for improving service quality in the future.

“Running the water company is easier now. The knowledge learned by our public relations staff, including customer satisfaction surveys and customer relations, has helped us make better decisions,” said Esau Rumkorem, General Director of Jayapura municipal water company.

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Trained participants are currently establishing a Customer Forum, to function as a bridge between the water company and its customers.

Building Doesn’t Guarantee Use:

SUSTAINABLE SANITATION FACILITIES

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The desire for a healthier and more environmentally friendly life greatly improves program sustainability

Residential areas in Indonesia lack centralized wastewater treatment ment facilities, leading people to find the quickest solutions to deal with wastewater and human waste. Donor-driven communal wastewater water treatment facilities are the first step, but local leadership and desire to use and maintain the facilities must come next.

To assist the administration of Medan City in solving their wastewater treatment problem, ESP came up with a concept for communal wastewater treatment in 2005. ESP introduced the model to Medan City Regional Development Planning Board (Bappeda) and Housing and Settlement Office, and to Deli Serdang Regency Bappeda and Cipta Karya Office.

ESP’s first project in 2006 was the improvement of public bathing, washing, and toilet facility (more popularly known as MCK) at Gang Lampu 1, Kampung Baru Sub-District, Medan Maimun.

Most of the people living there were still treating Deli River as a toilet.

In addition to improving the MCK facility, ESP also built a “ring system” wastewater treatment facility, consisting of five sewage and human waste treatment wells for 25 families, with a cost of Rp 50 million jointly shared by ESP, North Sumatra Regional Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda), and local NGOs. The community donated a 1.5-by-7-square meter plot of land, contributed labor, and agreed to self-manage the finished facility.

The next project was a wastewater treatment facility built using DEWATS (Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System) at a flat rate for low-income families located at Blok A in Medan Labuan District. The facility can accommodate the needs of 100 households. With DEWATS,

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the wastewater travels through several layers of filters, making it safe to be flushed into the river.

So far, 13 wastewater treatment facilities have been built in Medan, both facilitated by ESP or through the initiatives of local communities and government. These facilities have provided sanitation benefits for more than 5,000 people.

MCK++ facility in Petojo, Jakarta changed the surrounding communities; sanitation is now one of top priorities in their lives

At a crowded neighborhood ini Bagan Deli Sub-District, Medan Belawan, the administration of Medan City shouldered the cost of building 2 MCK facilities with DEWATS technology for 200 households. The residents participated by donating their land, and managing and maintaining the facilities.

“We need to look after it because it isn’t a maintenance-free facility. The control box must be routinely checked to ensure it is free from garbage, like shampoo bottles or soap wrappers,” said Alamsyah, the Rusunawa manager. Residents are charged Rp 5,000 per month for the maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility, added directly into their monthly rent. Ucok, a community leader in Bagan Deli, admits that some people seem to be resistant to change.

Leaders must demonstrate healthy habits so people can understand why sanitation facilities, such as wastewater treatment or MCK are needed. “Fostering healthy behaviors is a very difficult task.

Some listen, but others remain stubborn. They don’t want to change, and that’s why someone closer to them must set an example,” Ucok said.

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Fostering healthy behaviors is a very difficult task

According to Ucok, there are about 40 to 50 people using the MCK facility to bathe, wash, or defecate with two payment options: either Rp 1,000 per visit or Rp 30,000 per household per month.

Unfortunately, payments from residents are often not enough to cover the total maintenance costs of Rp 300,000 per month. Still, Ucok said diarrhea incidence in his neighborhood has fallen drastically since the construction of the MCK facility.

The story in Jakarta is slightly different. An MCK++ facility at Community Unit (RW) 08 North Petojo has been a success as the users have a great sense of ownership. In operation since September 2007, the MCK facility charges Rp. 5,000 per household, per month. With a monthly payment mechanism and free use of the facility, children can be seen coming and going to the MCK++ with their colorful towels to bathe. To cover maintenance cost, the MCK++ applied per visit charges for outside users.

These stories highlight an important issue: desire for a healthier and more environmentally friendly life greatly improves the sustainability of a wastewater treatment facility. The government and the community must be ready to contribute from the beginning to end.

To ensure sustainability, the community must assume responsibility, from setting the appropriate charges for use of the facility, designing the facility, and ensuring that the facility is properly maintained. A strong sense of ownership translates to a consistently used, maintained, and appreciated sanitation facility.

Mad About Garbage LEADERSHIP IN RECYCLING

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Iyom has provided garbage processing trainings for various community groups, private parties, and even government institutions

By increasing awareness and providing basic resources, residents ents will independently pursue programs that they perceive willl be environmentally friendly and economically advantageous. The simple mple provision of leadership opportunities has led to the development of dedicated and effective, long-lasting program initiatives.

Kampung Bongkaran’s Community Unit (Rukun Warga) 15 and 20 in Tamansari Sub-District, Bandung, West Java are two neighborhoods lying on the banks of Cikapundung River, hidden behind the Pasoepati flyover stretching from east to west.

Everything from food scraps, plastic wraps, to broken furniture has been dumped into Cikapundung River. Most often than not, these items are carelessly tossed in the river, without a second thought.

Neighborhood resident Iyom Rochaeni admits to having partaken in similar behavior. She was unaware of the various consequences of a polluted river. All of her household waste was dumped directly into the polluted river. Iyom also didn’t realize the latent economic value of the garbage she was dumping.

In mid 2006, ESP and a local NGO, Coalition for a Healthy West Java (or KuJBS), provided assistance to both residential units to conduct community-based waste processing.

Beginning with a general discussion, ESP and KuJBS raised awareness about pollution and further encouraged residents to process the garbage themselves. The first garbage processing activity they conducted was making compost from wet garbage. This process

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involved women from Community Unit 15 and 20, including Iyom.

Iyom’s relentless efforts to save the environment through handicraft-making has insipred others to follow in her footsteps

As time passed, Iyom and her friends felt compelled to do more than simple composting. Following a short ESP-supported exchange program to Surabaya, to learn about plastic recycling from ESP cadres in Wonokromo, Iyom began collecting discarded plastic wrappers surrounding her home. The plastic garbage was cleaned and threaded into various products, such as pencil cases, wallets, dolls, folders, handbags, and reusable shopping bags.

Iyom’s activities have brought her to many different places, including Aceh. She has provided garbage processing training for various community groups, private parties, and even government institutions. Focused on sharing her skills, life experience, and her dedication to solid waste recycling, Iyom has motivated others to follow in her footsteps. As a result of her trainings, cadres from across Indonesia are becoming skilled handicraft recyclers, and are passing on their knowledge to others.

Now, Iyom’s house is never without guests. From university students, housewives, and even foreigners visiting Bandung, many people have come to learn about her skill. Her cooperative has allowed her to bring in additional household income. Each group member produces approximately 20 products per month, with an average selling price of Rp. 50.000, roughly USD $5.

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I think the people have become aware ...our neighborhoods are now cleaner and more comfortable to live in

Her cooperative has received many awards and recognition for their hard work, including one from the Mayor of Bandung. She now plans to develop a “garbage bank” for plastic wrappers and other plastic materials so she and her group in Tamansari have improved access to raw materials for creating handicrafts.

“I think the people here have become aware that proper management of garbage has many benefits. Our neighborhoods are now cleaner and more comfortable to live in,” said Iyom.

Hygiene Champions: LEADING SANITATION EFFORTS

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The community has planted 7,000 tree seedlings and every 3 months residents communally gather to clean Krukut River

The importance of local leadership is overwhelmingly clear ar in North Petojo, Jakarta. Positive role models to promote community unity involvement and open communication has been key to creating ng a successful multi-partner program that addresses community needs.

Who could have imagined that the 120 square meter sanitation facility, dubbed MCK++ (Bathing, Washing, and Toilet Plus-Plus) in Community Unit 08, North Petojo, Jakarta would be visited by a world renowned leader such as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton? Or that the man behind the sanitation facility, Irwansyah Idrus, residential head of Community Unit 08, would be the proud winner of the 2009 Indonesia Kalpataru Environmental Award for his efforts to transform his community?

Back in 1997, Community Unit 08 in North Petojo was a typical example of Jakarta’s many slums. The area is populated by 3,200 residents, of which 570 lived below the poverty line.

Many homes are not equipped with bathrooms, forcing residents to use gutters or the nearby banks of Krukut River. High diarrhea incidence among infants and children brought attention to health and hygiene and its intersection with environmental problems in North Petojo.

In 2005, USAID initiated four projects intended to turn North Petojo into a healthier and cleaner environment. ESP’s clean water, sanitation, garbage processing, and personal hygiene programs were implemented in tandem with the Alert Village (Desa Siaga) program for maternal and child health facilitated by Health Services Program (HSP), the clean drinking water program using Air Rahmat facilitated by Aman Tirta’s Safe Water Systems (SWS), and a green village program called “SENYUM” facilitated by Mercy Corps’ Food, Security, and Nutrition program.

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Slowly but surely, residents of Petojo became more aware of health and hygiene and its importance for a healthy life. Over the years, countless activities and campaigns have been held in the community, from local and global Hand Washing with Soap (HWWS) campaigns, clean river initiatives, integrated health posts for infants and the elderly, and “Clean Fridays”, to healthy heart exercises and tree planting. The community has planted approximately 7,000 tree seedlings and every three months residents gather to communally clean Krukut River.

More than 30 residents have participated in the solid waste recycling program under the guidance of 14 environmental cadres. The independent garbage processing program, initiated in April 2008, has so far produced 136 kilograms of compost, which is used or sold to neighboring communities. The local government noticed the program’s success and asked cadres from Community Unit 08 to provide composting training for other wards in Central Jakarta region, including Galur, Cempaka Putih, and Menteng. Irwansyah believes one of the most important factors for sustainable behavioral change is the presence of local leaders. By demonstrating a positive example, local leaders help to consistently emphasize and prioritize healthy living messages.

MCK++ triggered various sanitation activities by communities, including recycling and composting

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This is a proof that our hard work has been well received and recognized.

Hopefully our success can be replicated elsewhere

“Routinely conveying the message through similarly themed activities helps the community to understand and implement changed behavior,” he said. “For example, during the cleaning of Krukut River, local leaders and I took an active role in the activities. This way, we were not just telling people what to do, because we were participating as well. As a result, they agreed to join the communal work,” said Irwansyah.In September 2007, the first MCK ++ (Mandi Cuci Kakus Plus-Plus) building was opened for public use. This is the first public sanitation facility in Jakarta equipped with a Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) technology.

At this facility, wastewater is treated so as not to pollute Krukut River while solid waste can be used to produce biogas as fuel for the public kitchen. The residents actively participated during construction of this facility by donating land and labor.

The success of North Petojo is indebted to local leadership and community involvement. In addition, integration and synergy between various programs focusing on hygiene, health, and environment, have greatly accommodated the residents’ real needs. Importantly, news coverage, social pressure, and government recognition have been key factors in supporting the programs’ long term impact. Coordination efforts to implement multipartner programs cannot happen overnight. Partners must meet regularly to assess community needs and build mutually reinforcing Action Plans. Success can only possible if those involved are determined and motivated enough to reach a common perspective and understanding. This, of course, will only occur if time is taken to emphasize the importance of intense and open communication.

“We are proud because our environmental improvement programs have been successful and are being showcased everywhere. This is a proof that our hard work has been well received and recognized. Hopefully our success can be replicated elsewhere,” Irwansyah said.

Reducing Debt:

ENABLING WATER COMPANIES TO EXPAND SERVICES

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Through debt restructuring, the water company can now invest and add up to 10,000 new connections per year

Bandung municipal water company (PDAM) shows us how w a strong commitment from local government can go a long way in helping PDAMs restore financial health. This allows PDAMs Ms to invest in service delivery expansion to customers who need it most.

The recent success of Bandung municipal water company (PDAM) to restructure its debt and obtain a 73% interest write-off amounting to Rp 252.7 billion is good news, not just for the company, but also for Bandung’s residents. The water company can now invest and add up to 10,000 new connections per year.

It all began in 2006, when the company received help from ESP for its debt restructuring program. This has so far enabled the company to pay back its overdue loans and consequently improve its operational performance.

One of the requirements for debt restructuring is that the PDAM’s average charge to customers must be higher than its basic cost. In other words, the rate charged to current customers must be enough to cover operational expenses.

“Bandung PDAM’s rates were set through a Mayoral Decree in 2001. These rates were not adjusted for five years, until ESP offered its assistance in 2006,” said Hadi Pratama, who heads the Cost Verification Division.

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Low rates were making it difficult for the PDAM to pay operational expenses. They also left the company incapable of making significant investments, such as installing additional pipes from raw water sources to supply new connections.

On the other hand, rate increases are sensitive issues that can potentially cause huge customer protests.

After calculating its needs, Bandung PDAM submitted a request for a rate increase of 51 percent to the City Government. The request was then passed on to the City Parliament. For five months, the PDAM intensively Improved financial condition leads to improved services and technical aspects of PDAM publicized the rate increase to the public through a number of NGOs, water-issue experts, consumer organizations, and the media. The publicity campaign turned out to be quite effective as the rate increase was approved and implemented with limited objections.

“If you’re classified as a level two household customer and you pay an average of Rp 80,000 per month, you will now be paying Rp 106,000 per month as a result of the rate increase,” Hadi said.

Hadi concurs that the PDAM’s revenue has risen since the rate increase. Previously, revenue was estimated at Rp 5.6 billion, but after the rate increase, revenue spiked up to Rp 12 billion Meanwhile, to resolve its Rp 342.7 billion debt burden, the company has been working for 18 months to draw up a performance improvement plan.

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Now that the debt problem is solved, they can start to invest, beginning with a plan for additional distribution pipes

In 2009, the Technical Committee approved the performance improvement plan and indicated it would agree to an interest write-off amounting to Rp 252.7 billion, or US$ 26 million, for Bandung PDAM. This is the largest ESP-assisted interest write-off.

“Large debts and small revenue have left us unable to grow. But now that our debt problem is solved, we can start to invest, beginning with a plan for additional distribution pipes in Dago Bengkok region, a project budgeted at 23 billion Rupiah. These pipes will help us serve another 10,000 new customers per year,” Hadi said.

As of 2009, ESP has assisted 12 municipal water companies across Indonesia in preparing their performance improvement plans needed for debt restructuring. These water companies have a total debt of Rp 528.3 billion, with Rp 377.7 billion potentially qualifying for interest writeoffs.

Bandung City Government has provided the water company with Rp 44 billion of capital participation, helping it repay debts even faster. As a result, Bandung PDAM will pay off its debts in only 5 years.

An Environmental Education Curriculum BORN OUT OF CONCERN

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We must prepare the next generation to become more environmentally aware

In 2007, local educators in Batu city, East Java passionately advocated ated for an environmental awareness curriculum. Empowered by local support and equipped with ESP curriculum development materials,, the curriculum is currently being rolled out to serve a new generations of environmental advocates.

“Protected forests are increasingly converted into farmland, while ponds for fish cultivation are shrinking in size, not to mention the amount of garbage that keeps piling higher. Batu City is experiencing ecological degradation. To prevent more damage, we need to skip a generation and go straight to educating the younger generation,” said Sukistono, a biology teacher at Batu City Public Junior High School 3, commenting on the increasing loss of forest in the area.

Sukistono added that after observing Batu City’s environmental condition, he believes that human behavior is the main cause behind environmental degradation. In 2003, upon hearing complaints from his neighbors, he began measuring water level in wells around Batu. As predicted, well water levels were down in several areas, a sign that ground water levels were shrinking.

“I saw the problem myself when my neighbor was digging for a well,” said Sukistono who lived in Beji Sekolahan ward at the time.

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During the rainy season, he took a hike to Payung - a highland area on the border between Batu City and Pujon - and counted at least 32 to 40 sites along the way where landslides had occurred. Sukistono, who authored 36 text books on biology, also made the Brantas River one of his research subjects.

Bricket making as part of the environmental curriculum developed by Sukistono

“Based on the data from city government, severe environmental damage has occurred between 1993 to 2002,” he said. In 1993, there were approximately 115 springs at the river’s upper watershed. Ten years later, only 82 springs were still flowing. Many springs have reduced water debit and some, like Banyuning, Trongbelok, Gemulo, Kasinan, Coban Rais, and Gunung Biru springs, have completely dried up.

Sukistono feels that the creation of a new environmentally aware generation is a crucial step toward reducing ecological degradation.

In December 2007, he began developing an environmental curriculum on his own. Various lessons listed in the syllabus are designed to help teachers promote a clean, green, and healthy lifestyle for the students in a fun and exciting way. The topics are also diverse, ranging from how to Clean up and Care for Oneself, Hand Washing with Soap (CTPS or HWWS), Environmental Awareness (Sadar Lingkungan/ Darling), to topics about garbage and solid waste management.

Several teachers are now helping Sukistono to perfect the environmental curriculum. The Ministry of Education’s Ministerial Regulation No. 22/2005 on curriculum standardization is being used as an important reference for improving the curriculum. It has help facilitate the creation of a set of standardized syllabi and teaching materials.

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It is only with the next generation that we can pin the hope for a better environment

In 2008, Sukistono presented his curriculum to Eddy Rumpoko, Batu City Mayor. Eddy gave his support for the environmental curriculum. As a result, the curriculum, now consisting of 18 syllabi, is being taught in more schools.

Sukistono admits that getting students to understand and then willingly carry out the things they’ve learned in the environmental curriculum is a challenge in itself. But still, he insists, “We must prepare the next generation to become more environmentally aware. The current generation will eventually fade away and it is only on the next generation that we can pin the hope for a better environment.”

It will come true only if there’s a change in thinking, action, and behavior to view environmental conservation as a necessity. One of the ways to push such change is by instilling it early on during school through the environmental awareness curriculum.