Accelerating Climate Action through University Students in Indonesia

The Coastal City Resilience and Heat Action Project (CoCHAP) stands as a testament to collaborative resilience-building efforts supported by the USAID/BHA. Implemented by the American Red Cross in partnership with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), CoCHAP focuses on enhancing urban resilience in the face of extreme heat challenges across Surabaya in East Java and Medan in North Sumatra.

CoCHAP aims to foster collaborative initiatives involving government bodies, educational institutions, and various stakeholders to tackle climate change impacts, particularly extreme heat in urban areas. Recognizing the pivotal role of higher education institutions, CoCHAP integrates with Indonesia’s Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) initiative. MBKM, under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, empowers students to engage in practical learning experiences aligned with their future careers.

Among the nine MBKM programs available, the humanitarian project stands out, allowing students to collaborate with organizations like PMI to address climate challenges. This initiative empowers youth as agents of change, encouraging them to innovate in designing activities related to extreme heat. PMI facilitates these projects, enabling students to turn their innovative ideas into reality while earning academic credits crucial for their transcripts.

To ensure effective collaboration, PMI, in collaboration with the Regional Higher Education Service Institute (LLDIKTI) of North Sumatra, has developed a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for MBKM activities. This SOP guides the implementation across universities in North Sumatra, fostering creativity, innovation, and humanitarianism among students.

On July 10, 2024, PMI North Sumatra officially launched the MBKM SOP and signed MoUs & MoAs with 35 state and private universities. This milestone event was attended by key stakeholders including PMI officials, LLDIKTI representatives, the American Red Cross, IFRC, the Consulate General of the United States Ms. Kristy Mordhost, and the North Sumatra Provincial Government.

Prof. Drs. Saiful Anwar Matondang emphasized the commitment of higher education institutions to implement MBKM, ensuring students have the freedom to engage in humanitarian projects that contribute to community resilience.

The North Sumatra Provincial Government expressed high appreciation for USAID, American Red Cross, IFRC, and PMI North Sumatra for launching the MBKM SOP. They pledged support to integrate this program into the curriculum, enhancing education quality in the region.

Ms. Kristy Mordhost, US Consulate representative highlighted CoCHAP as a beacon of hope in addressing climate challenges, empowering students to educate communities about extreme heat.

This initiative has garnered interest from PMI East Java, indicating the potential expansion of MBKM humanitarian projects in the region. PMI NHQ is committed to ensuring smooth collaboration and evaluating outcomes for national-level replication. Additionally, IFRC Indonesia aims to extend this initiative through the SIAP SIAGA program supported by DFAT and the Australian Red Cross, demonstrating a commitment to scaling up climate resilience efforts nationwide.

Through CoCHAP and MBKM, Indonesia’s youth are not only shaping their educational journeys but also driving meaningful change in climate resilience, setting a precedent for sustainable development and community empowerment across the nation.

List of Universities engaged in the program