Sustainability Articles

The Meruang Community organized the “Exploring the Cultural Space of Reksonegoro 2025” program in Reksonegoro Village, Gorontalo Regency, on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The initiative aimed to reintroduce the richness of local cultural heritage to younger generations while creating opportunities for creative economic growth within the local community. The program is part of Jelajah Ruang Budaya’s long-term annual roadmap, held in commemoration of National Culture Day on October 17. This year’s edition focused on preserving the cultural heritage of the Jaton (Javanese-Tondano) ethnic community, whose traditions continue to thrive in Reksonegoro Village. Jelajah Ruang Budaya's Project Manager, Satria Utina, explained that the program was inspired by a desire to reconnect young people with their local culture. “Many children today become familiar with foreign cultures before learning about their own. Through this initiative, we want to create an engaging and enjoyable learning experience directly within the community,” Satria said. The event was designed around an Edu-Fun Tourism concept, combining educational experiences with tourism activities. Participants were invited to explore four educational tourism routes, including Edu-Gastrotourism, featuring the preparation of nasi bulu and dodol rekso; Edu-Heritage Tourism, which introduced visitors to traditional Jaton houses; and a Cultural Tourism Space at the Esa Genang Art Studio. Satria added that Reksonegoro Village was selected because of its rich cultural heritage, strong religious values, and deep historical significance. “The village holds tremendous potential, ranging from its historic mosque and traditional houses to its distinctive local cuisine. The community is also highly committed to preserving its cultural traditions,” he said. Meanwhile, Reksonegoro Village Head, Nonyawati Pulukadang, expressed her appreciation for the program, highlighting its positive impact on local residents. “This initiative has brought new energy to the village. Our traditions and local wisdom are gaining recognition once again, and the community is experiencing tangible economic benefits from the activities,” she stated. Through this program, Jelajah Ruang Budaya hopes to strengthen regional identity while promoting sustainable cultural preservation. “We hope this initiative will become an annual event that engages more communities, schools, and partners in the years to come,” Satria concluded.

GWWM promotes innovation-driven and circular economy-based waste management through the transformation of industrial residual materials into usable products with economic value. One of the initiatives implemented is the utilization of coal FABA (Fly Ash and Bottom Ash) waste as a high-quality concrete pavement material that can be safely and sustainably applied. This initiative not only contributes to reducing environmental burdens through the reuse of industrial waste, but also generates social and economic benefits for local communities. The construction of the access road improves connectivity to tourism areas, enhances community mobility, and stimulates the growth of local economic activities driven by tourism and surrounding community enterprises. Through a community-based circular approach, GWWM encourages communities and partners to collaborate in delivering innovative waste management solutions that are practical, impactful, and economically beneficial for sustainable development. This program directly contributes to the achievement of SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, while strengthening more inclusive, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable development practices.

Gorontalo Eco Wise Initiatives encourages collective action to support the sustainable greening of environmentally vulnerable areas, beginning with natural buffer zones such as riverbanks, coastlines, lakeshores, and roadside corridors. These areas serve as vital ecological barriers that help reduce carbon emissions while restoring and protecting the environment. Reforesting and revegetating these critical landscapes play a key role in maintaining ecosystem balance, strengthening the functions of protected areas, and mitigating environmental degradation caused by coastal abrasion, soil erosion, and climate change. By planting vegetation that is well suited to local land characteristics, these buffer zones can provide long-term ecological benefits while creating healthier green spaces that support the well-being of surrounding communities. In one of our previous projects, together with our partners and the local community of Dunu Village, we planted 2,616 seedlings consisting of fruit trees, mangroves, and ornamental plants. The planting activities were carried out along the coastal buffer zone and the hilly areas of Dunu Village, North Gorontalo Regency. Each plant species was carefully selected to match the site's environmental conditions, ensuring optimal growth while strengthening vegetation cover and supporting the conservation of both coastal and upland ecosystems. This initiative also reflects the strong collaboration between the community, partners, and local residents in fostering environmental stewardship through tangible actions that deliver lasting ecological and social benefits. This initiative contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), creating meaningful and lasting impacts for both nature and local communities. Beyond supporting climate change mitigation and terrestrial ecosystem conservation, the greening program encourages active community participation in environmental protection while creating opportunities to develop sustainable nature-based economic potential. Through continued collaboration and collective commitment, Gorontalo Eco Wise Initiatives hopes to inspire more individuals and organizations to take part in building a greener, more resilient, and sustainable environment for future generations.