Mama Bagarak: The Civil and Marginal Community Acts as a Climate Justice Solution

November 10, 2025

 

These groups need capability building, effective learning networks, and platforms to amplify local solutions. Through a multi-stakeholder, innovative approach, the programme aims to create a collaborative network that encourages rights holders’ active participation in just climate action. It is envisioned that a community ecosystem capable of initiating, implementing, and disseminating equitable climate solutions tailored to local contexts in Indonesia will be created.

Through the “Mama Bagarak: Civil and Marginal Communities in Action as Climate Justice Solutions”, Koaksi Indonesia and Pikul laid the foundation for transformation by involving civil society groups, communities, youths, and marginalised groups as the main rightsholders. The implementation of this programme begins with mapping the needs of the target group through participatory discussions and field studies. By understanding their realities and aspirations, capability-building training is designed contextually—whether for policy advocacy, community management, or locally based climate action innovation.

One of the key strengths of implementation is building an effective network node that not only brings groups together but also encourages mutual learning. Each group is given space to share stories, strategies, and challenges in their fight for climate justice. This process continues to be strengthened through mentoring, online and offline training, and the establishment of cross-sectoral action forums. Multi-stakeholder engagement—pentahelix: civil society, government, academia, media, and the private sector—is an important capital to ensure the sustainability of site-level transformation in Kupang City and Regency.

 

SOCIAL IMPACT AND TRANSFORMATION

The main impact felt is the growth of a sense of ownership and confidence in rights-holders. People who were previously marginalised are now emerging as pioneers of solutions. For example, women fishermen who are members of the Kupang City United Fishermen’s Assembly have developed innovations in the management of marine and coastal resources that add value, which are then documented as good practices. In addition, the network has collaborated on both community-based natural resource management and policy advocacy to protect and manage mangrove ecosystems. It has provided policy recommendations at the provincial level through policy memo documents.

The transformation is also reflected in the community’s growing understanding of its right to be involved in development planning and environmental governance processes. Young people, minority groups, women, and people with disabilities are increasingly actively voicing ideas and engaging in policy forums. The existence of a shared learning space facilitates knowledge transfer between communities, enabling solutions to become more integrated rather than partial.

 

KEY LEARNINGS

The main learning from the VCA programme is the importance of intensive coordination, adaptive mechanisms, and continuous knowledge sharing among collaborators. Adaptation, clear role division, and identification of relevant programmes and mandates provide a solid foundation for multi-coalition synergy. In addition, the process of verifying results and recognising contributions prevents overlapping benefit claims, reinforcing a sense of shared ownership. With a collectively agreed global strategy, each alliance member can be more focused on pursuing tangible, measurable goals for change aligned with Voices for Just Climate Action’s vision.

 

INSPIRATION AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

The Mama Bagarak programme is clear proof that big changes can grow from the site level. The stories of the right holders who carry out adaptation actions continue to move, even amid limitations. Building resilience from the formation of the Kupang City United Fishermen’s Council group as a forum for agents of change, strengthening action with the escalation of tiered publications from the site level to the national and even global levels. The expansion of collaborative work networks has inspired many parties to commit to supporting the sustainability of just climate action. Their voices are now echoing in many directions, carrying the message that civil society and marginalised people are the leading actors of change in the future.

 

OUR KEY LESSONS AND MESSAGES

• • Recognition of local climate action and its actors, strengthened by the narrative’s reach from the footprint to the national and even global levels, is a strategic step toward the programme’s success.

• • Strengthening the capabilities of local climate actors is important to ensure a measurable, sustainable impact.

• • The growth of collective action is the primary buffer for the realisation of community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

• • The involvement of many parties, including academia and the private sector, has encouraged community-based climate action innovations, including the use of technology, information, and communication.

• • The implementation of multi-level government policy advocacy from the village to the national level in an inclusive manner to ensure the continuity of support for future development programmes.

• • Strengthening the global network has the potential to amplify local climate action, making it a widespread discourse that can enrich post-program implementation strategies.