PKSPL IPB University Together with Bappeda Jepara Ready to Guard the Focus Program
The Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (PKSPL) IPB University held a meeting with the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Jepara Regency, Central Java (14/6). This activity is a follow-up related to the implementation plan of the Fisherfolk Empowerment for Climate Resilience and Sustainability (Focus) program.
The Focus program is a collaboration between the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) with the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation (affiliated with Hivos), the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), the People's Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA) and PKSPL IPB University. The implementation location of the Focus program is carried out in the Central Java Province area, including Semarang City, Jepara Regency, Demak Regency, Kendal Regency, and Batang Regency.
The meeting was held at the Jepara Regency Bappeda Office (14/6), attended by the PKSPL IPB University team, the ranks of the Jepara Regency Bappeda (Sub-Coordinator of Natural Resources and Territory, Natural Resources and Territory Planning Analyst, Analyst of Science and Technology Utilization / Science and Technology) and Hivos.
Nisrina Nugroho as Project Officer of the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation explained that the initial initiation of the Focus program began in 2021, and only in 2023 it was implemented. Focus itself has a target of how to strive for the creation of an integrated and integrated system in coastal areas related to climate change mitigation, food insecurity, and the involvement of women.
Muhammad Qustam Sahibuddin the head of the PKSPL IPB University team added that the Focus program was carried out in the form of a consortium led by the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation and consisting of WALHI, KIARA, and PKSPL IPB University. From 2023 to 2026, there are several stages of the Focus program plan that will be carried out, namely lobbying and advocacy, capacity building, collective campaigns, monitoring and evaluation, institutional approaches, and coordination of partnerships of various parties.
"This initial stage is how we, PKSPL IPB University, collect, and track existing data and information, especially in Jepara Regency related to aspects of coastal governance and aspects of sustainable development. Later these data will be formulated into a state of the coast document of Jepara Regency related to future policy recommendations," said Qustam.
He said that PKSPL IPB University is strongly committed to overseeing the implementation of the Focus program in realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets, especially SDGs goals 2, 3, 13, 14, and 17.
Agung Nugroho as Sub Coordinator of Natural Resources and Territory of Bappeda Jepara Regency said, "We welcome the arrival of the team from PKSPL IPB University and the Humanist and Social Innovation Foundation in Jepara Regency regarding the implementation of the Focus program."
"One of the serious problems that exist on the coast of Jepara Regency is abrasion. There is one village, Bula Village, which was relocated due to abrasion that had submerged the village, it happened around the 1980s," Agung explained.
Agung further said that Jepara Regency also has activities carried out by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) from Japan. In addition to focusing on mangroves on the coast of Jepara Regency, the NGO also conducts educational training programs for children and is regularly conducted twice a year.
"Bappeda of Jepara Regency also conducted a study this year related to the development of protection in coastal areas. We are committed to supporting the implementation of this Focus program in Jepara District. The output of the Focus program is very useful for us in formulating policies and programs in coastal areas that have not been maximized," Agung said.
He also stated that his office is ready to facilitate coordination with other agencies in Jepara Regency (MQS/Rz) (IAAS/TNY)
