In Indonesia, youth are a significant demographic. In 2023, 24 percent of the population – over 64 million people – were aged between 16 and 30. Across the country, youth are receiving support to become leaders in social forestry and sustainable agriculture in forest landscapes.
Workshops, capacity-building initiatives and ongoing support for cooperatives are helping empower young people engaged in forest-based livelihoods. RECOFTC’s work with youth in forest communities has had ongoing impacts in the country. We have been providing technical support on agroforestry, business training and coaching, and supporting mechanisms to access finance since the past decade.
Abdul Malik, currently secretary of the Akar Tani Cooperative, a coffee cooperative, joined the group as a young farmer. His first training in coffee roasting was funded through a 2019 Give2Asia campaign that we supported. In June 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture selected Malik to represent young farmers and entrepreneurs from Bantaeng Regency as one of 50 Young Ambassadors for the national Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Support Services (YESS) program.
page break
spacing
Together with relevant government agencies, we are continuing our work with youth in the country. In August 2023, we hosted a workshop on social forestry in Sentul, West Java. The event brought together 12 participants, including five young women, who work as farmers, environmental activists and tourism guides in their respective villages in South Bandung, Sentul and Banten.
Workshops, trainings and youth engagement events impart essential knowledge, help build networks and foster a sense of camaraderie among attendees. In many ways, sustainable forest management depends on young people being able to secure decent livelihoods from local forests.
