A series of Advocacy Workshops were held to advocate and disseminate the result of research titled “Towards a Future-Proof Society: Adaptive Social Protection Against Climate Change”. These workshops were conducted at the National Level in Jakarta, the Provincial Level in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province, and the Regional level in Waingapu, East Sumba Regency. This collaborative work among the research partners from the Resilience Development Initiative (RDI), Charles Darwin University, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, The Prakarsa Indonesia, Universitas Kristen Wira Wacana, and the Institute of Resource Governance and Social Change is funded by the Australian Government, specifically Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through the KONEKSI programme (Collaboration for Knowledge, Innovation, and Technology Australia and Indonesia). KONEKSI supports partnerships between organisations in Australia and Indonesia to increase the use of knowledge-based solutions for inclusive and sustainable policies and technologies.
Started in August 2023, this research aimed to understand the formal and informal social protection mechanisms implemented within the community. Through this understanding, it is hoped to address the challenge of integrating the two scenarios of social protection and achieving adaptive social protection. This study was conducted in East Sumba, a location selected for its compelling case study on climate-related disasters, public health emergencies and community poverty. While rich in culture, traditional livelihoods and social structures can increase the island’s vulnerability to climate shocks. Understanding the complex interplay of these factors is essential to developing effective adaptation strategies to withstand multiple shocks.
In these Advocacy Workshops, expert speakers disseminated the research findings. The outcomes of this research are hoped to be relevant and usable by the government at national and regional levels, NGOs, the private sector, communities, and other relevant stakeholders. The findings may serve as input material for formulating the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 and National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) 2025-2045. In the opening speech at Kupang, Dr. Ir. Alfonsus Theodorus, ST, MT (Head of Bapperinda), also highlighted the importance of this research input for the future of NTT. Influential stakeholders from national, provincial, and regional levels attended the workshop. The attendance of local organisations and NGOs was also crucial to foster collaboration in implementing ASP.
Understanding Adaptive Social Protection
Adaptive Social Protection (ASP) is an advanced form of social protection aimed not only at addressing the immediate impact of shocks but also at helping communities recover and evolve to become more resilient to future disruptions. This concept responds to the challenges posed by community poverty through social protection strategies, climate change through climate change adaptation approach and disasters through integration of disaster risk reduction strategies. Despite the importance of its implementation, the concept of ASP has not yet been adopted in the formulating government strategic documents. Formal ASP programmes such as Public Health Insurance Scheme (JAMKESMAS) and Family Hope Program (PKH) have been implemented in East Sumba. However, the effectiveness of these programmes has been limited due to communication, coordination, resources, and infrastructure challenges.
In order to commence the advocacy workshop, research teams, represented by Dr Saut Sagala from RDI (National Advocacy Workshop) and Dr Elcid Li from IRGSC (Provincial and Regional Advocacy Workshops), delivered an introductory presentation of the research, “Towards a Future-Proof Society: Adaptive Social Protection Against Climate Change”. Ms Eri Krismiyaningsih, a Programme Manager from RDI, also introduced Adaptive Social Protection at the National Advocacy Workshop. Following a thorough explanation of the ASP concept and the research, Dr Ayu Krishna from UPI delivered a topic on formal ASP. Mr John Talan from IRGSC presented the informal ASP that developed within the community. Dr Maklon Killa from Universitas Kristen Wira Wacana further strengthened this understanding by discussing household adaptiveness, which provided the audience with insights into the factors influencing household adaptation capacity to climate change in Sumba. To conclude the presentations, Dr Victoria Fanggidae from The Prakarsa delivered an insightful presentation on the integration of formal and informal ASP.
Uniqueness of East Sumba Informal Social Protection
The unique culture of East Sumba adds a layer of interest to this research. While savings are typically kept in banks, in East Sumba, livestock is a form of savings to ensure family viability. In this context, a person is considered low income or poor if they do not own livestock. This is why the aspect of biosecurity is crucial in ensuring informal social protection in East Sumba, as the death of a single pig can result in a loss of approximately two and a half million rupiah—an amount that exceeds the minimum wage in East Sumba.
East Sumba is also renowned for its tenun, where a single piece can take more than six months, or half a year, to create. Sumba weaving features various patterns, each with its own meaning, as well as distinctive colours. This cultural asset is not only a symbol of cultural heritage but also a valuable economic resource. It is considered valuable enough to be used as collateral for loans, with most of the proceeds from sales going towards supporting the family.
Another noteworthy aspect of life in East Sumba is the practice by the Indigenous community of keeping residents' notes to track activities occurring in the village. This is particularly significant because the community still engages in barter. This practice demonstrates the community's commitment to protecting their welfare.
All in all, these workshops successfully advocated and disseminated the purpose of the research and were well-received by the parties involved. Interactive discussions took place, providing insights into East Sumba culture and valuable feedback to the team. It has fostered an understanding of the impact of climate change and emphasised the importance of protecting people from its effects.
