Aceh Besar, Indonesia Climate change is no longer a distant challenge for young people in Aceh. Rising temperatures, coastal erosion, declining biodiversity, and increasing environmental degradation are becoming part of everyday life. Addressing these challenges requires more than scientific knowledge alone—it also demands recognition of the Indigenous wisdom that has guided Acehnese communities in living sustainably with nature for generations.
To respond to this need, DEEP EnGender, through the support of the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) under the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM) initiative funded by the European Union, implemented Reusam Sri Musim: Youth Goes to School in Aceh, a youth-led initiative that connects climate education with Acehnese Indigenous knowledge.
The program began with an intergenerational dialogue in Lampuuk Village, bringing together young people from Sekolah Adat Sri Musim, traditional elders, the Village Head of Lampuuk, and community members. The discussion explored the environmental values embedded in Sri Musim, a local knowledge system that has long guided communities in managing natural resources, understanding seasonal changes, and maintaining harmony between people and nature.
Rather than treating Indigenous knowledge as a cultural relic, participants reflected on its continued relevance in addressing today's climate crisis. Stories shared by community elders demonstrated how traditional ecological practices continue to offer practical lessons for environmental stewardship, resilience, and collective responsibility.
Building on this dialogue, the initiative expanded into schools, where students participated in interactive learning sessions on climate change, environmental protection, and the role of local wisdom in strengthening community resilience. Through discussions and collaborative learning, young people explored how Indigenous knowledge can complement modern environmental education and inspire locally rooted climate solutions.
Learning then moved beyond the classroom into direct community action. Students, teachers, volunteers, and community members joined a coastal clean-up activity, transforming environmental awareness into collective action. Working side by side, participants demonstrated that protecting the environment is not only about understanding climate issues but also about building habits of stewardship through shared responsibility.
Throughout the program, 40 young people actively participated in educational activities that encouraged critical thinking, intergenerational learning, and environmental leadership. By integrating dialogue, cultural knowledge, and practical action, the initiative strengthened the relationship between youth, local identity, and climate resilience.
The success of Reusam Sri Musim reflects the importance of creating learning spaces where Indigenous knowledge and contemporary environmental challenges can inform one another. As climate risks continue to affect communities across Indonesia, empowering young people to value their cultural heritage while taking meaningful environmental action offers a pathway toward more resilient and sustainable futures.
DEEP EnGender extends its sincere appreciation to the students, facilitators, teachers, community leaders, traditional elders, and local partners whose commitment made this initiative possible. Special thanks are also extended to the Youth Empowerment Fund, Global Youth Mobilization, and the European Union for supporting youth-led initiatives that empower communities to take meaningful climate action.
