The group discussed the dynamics behind the growing challenges being faced by Indonesian communities, and did an evaluation of existing natural and human resources nationwide. Based on this initial investigation, the decision was made to focus attention on enhancing established NGO programs’ abilities to address the challenges on the ground, in as many areas of Indonesia as possible.

The next concern was how best to achieve this challenging goal, and it was decided to facilitate a ‘Training of Trainers’ in Permaculture Design, which would offer these NGOs the understanding and tools needed to assist their local communities and program beneficiaries to provide food, shelter, energy and other needs in a sustainable way.

One of the world’s primary Permaculture experts, Robyn Francis of ‘Permaculture Education’ at ERDA Institute, was invited to facilitate. The workshop trained participants from some of the top NGOs throughout Indonesia, selected from over 200 applicants. At the end of a very intensive 3 week training, they all graduated with Permaculture Designer Certification. To enable this to happen, funds were generously donated by local businesses and private supporters.

The course was well-received, and the experienced participants gave feedback on the curriculum’s appropriateness for application in Indonesia. It became apparent that there was a very real need, and demand, for more projects focusing in these areas of education and sustainable development. Yayasan IDEP and Yayasan MACK (Membina Api Cinta Kasih) were officially founded to continue this important work.

Many of these first participants began to integrate the new techniques for sustainable design into their own programs and requested that Yayasan IDEP develop reference and support tools in support of these programs on the ground.