Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace (DEEP) En-Gender

Indonesia

Name: Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace (DEEP) En-Gender
Country: Indonesia
Year of establishment: 2020
Type of organization: Ecosystem restoration, Gender equality, Partnerships with public or private organizations, Social and environmental justice

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Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace (DEEP) En-Gender

Indonesia

Name: Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace (DEEP) En-Gender
Country:
Year of establishment:
Type of organization: Ecosystem restoration, Gender equality, Partnerships with public or private organizations, Social and environmental justice

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Description

The Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace (DEEP) En-Gender Circle is a volunteer-based, non-profit, non-governmental organization aiming for social transformation in the Southeast Asia region (Thailand and Indonesia), with a current focus on two key areas: peace and gender justice, as well as food security and ecological regeneration. Our priority is working with marginalized groups, including women in conflict-affected areas and indigenous communities. Main Activities a) Projects on indigenous food systems and ecological regeneration for vulnerable communities in Sumatra, Indonesia (e.g., indigenous Suku Anak Dalam in Jambi and the Karo ethnic group in North Sumatra). b) Development of a transformative multi-sectoral intervention guideline focusing on cultural sensitivity, interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and policy advocacy. c) Implementation of alternative environmentally friendly food sources. d) Promote and advocate for environmental sustainability and conservation by distributing long-lived endemic tropical plants and trees for planting in indigenous lands. e) Cultivation of indigenous knowledge and education on climate justice through a bottom-up approach. DEEP En-Gender's ongoing project is working to empower the indigenous Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) community in Jambi province, Indonesia, to become active agents in environmental protection. The project recognizes the indigenous SAD as natural land stewards due to their deep connection with the forest. Our work addresses the need for culturally appropriate food for the indigenous SAD community. The initiative focuses on training indigenous SAD members in small-scale polyculture techniques to enhance agricultural skills. An inclusive approach integrates a gender perspective, ensuring the active participation of indigenous SAD women in decision-making regarding food production. The project strives to empower the indigenous SAD community by focusing on eco-friendly food production and reforestation activities, fostering a harmonious relationship between their traditional way of life and conservation efforts.

Nature Element: Agricultural, Forests
Type of Action: Ecosystem restoration, Gender equality, Partnerships with public or private organizations, Social and environmental justice
Sustainable Development Element: Food security (SDG 2) , Gender equality (SDG 5) , Peace and security (SDG 16) , Partnerships (SDG 17)

Environmental Impacts

Empowering Indigenous Suku Anak Dalam (SAD) Communities Following extensive dialogues with various stakeholders, including Tumenggung representatives of indigenous SAD communities, DEEP En-Gender has transformed words into action through the comprehensive "Re-Grow" initiative. This initiative was crafted to create a tangible impact. As part of this effort, we visited three distinct living areas of indigenous SAD groups to plant fruit-bearing trees like avocado, mango, and matoa - a total of 1700 trees. This aligns with our commitment to supporting indigenous SAD communities' ecological pursuits and improving food accessibility. Nine indigenous villages across five sub-districts actively participated in this project, benefiting approximately 720 individuals from indigenous groups and 2580 individuals from local communities. The significance of our "Re-Grow" initiative extends beyond tree planting; it embodies a holistic approach to community development. Active involvement of indigenous SAD groups in the planning process, emphasizing collaboration and ensuring their direct participation, was a top priority. This approach contributed to the initiative's success and instilled a sense of ownership and empowerment within the indigenous communities. We have fostered partnerships with local contacts and an indigenous SAD’s teacher to enhance our engagement with these communities. Ensuring a consistent presence in residential areas, we facilitate regular knowledge-sharing sessions as valuable platforms for information exchange and trust-building forums. By combining practical actions with ongoing educational efforts, DEEP En-Gender aims to make a sustainable impact on the lives of indigenous SAD communities.

Sustainable Development Impacts

SDG 1: With access to 1045 hectares of forest resources, additional green jobs are created for the local community. SDG 2: Food security will be improved through the sustainable collection of non-timber forest products. SDG 3. Women and youth are involved in the process of harvesting and processing crops, which allows reaching a large number of women and allowing for gender-balanced decision-making. SDG 12. Through the introduction of traditional and sustainable methods of harvesting, processing crops, costs and anthropogenic impact on the environment are reduced.

RESILIENCE, ADAPTABILITY, AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY

In connection with COVID-19 and the current epidemiological situation in the world, the lack of medicines and access to them, previously acquired knowledge on medicinal herbs was used by local communities, as well as traditional methods of treatment were applied that helped to overcome Covid among community members. Thanks to these actions, the local population overcame the disease in a mild form without loss of life.

REDUCED INEQUALITIES

All members of the local community are involved in this process, including youth, women and persons with disabilities by inviting them to the general meeting of jamaat members to discuss the Charter and select the composition of the local Supervisory Committee to control the implementation of the project, participation in trainings on sustainable management and use of forest ecosystems and discussion of the CFM management plan at all levels. Linked to access to forest resources, youth have been given the opportunity to use forest resources and thereby reduce youth migration. Low-income residents were provided with technical assistance through the purchase of seedlings, seedlings to diversify sources of income. The capacity of members of the Kogoi community and other stakeholders for sustainable management and use of forest ecosystems has been increased (at least 30% of them are women, youth and persons with disabilities).

GENDER EQUALITY

As part of strengthening communities, namely, increasing the capacity of women and girls, trainings were held on practical processing skills such as canning products with added value, etc., which in turn increased the financial stability of the family. Due to the increase in family finances, upon request, financial literacy trainings were held for women and youth for the proper management of finances for both family and business. In the community, women and youth are active in their work, and are also involved in the decision-making process.

Scalability

DEEP En-Gender initiatives recognize the Indigenous SAD community's traditional knowledge and practices. By enhancing the traditional food system, our work aims to promote sustainability and uphold the cultural significance inherent in indigenous traditional practices. This acknowledgement of indigenous knowledge advances understanding of diverse food systems and advocates for integrating traditional practices into the national food system. Our work has the potential to drive transformation in food systems at the national level by highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation.

Replicability

Indonesia is home to hundreds of indigenous communities, with indigenous SAD being just one of them. A common characteristic among these indigenous groups is their traditional way of life, which is closely connected to nature, such as forests and rivers. Therefore, our initiatives have significant potential for being replicated among indigenous groups in various provinces or islands. For instance, indigenous groups in Kalimantan are also facing deforestation issues caused by extensive palm plantations. Acknowledging these shared challenges, our initiative could be applied in Kalimantan as well

Disclaimer: The content presented in this Nature-based Solutions Database is submitted directly by Dialogue, Empathy, Ecology, and Peace (DEEP) En-Gender and does not reflect the views or positions of the UNDP Equator Initiative. We do not edit or endorse the information provided, nor are we responsible for its accuracy. Our platform serves solely as a space for Indigenous Peoples and Local Community (IPLC) organizations to showcase their work and share their stories in their own words.