AWO International Southeast Asia

15/09/2026

Turning migration into long-term economic independence ✨

GIZ-ZME Indonesia and AWO International collaborated once again to organise a series of workshops focused on economic reintegration through social enterprise and financial literacy.

As a direct follow-up to the joint kick-off event held in Surabaya in May 2026, these workshops brought together the same dedicated partners and community beneficiaries. The first session took place in Madiun (7-8 September) for beneficiaries of partner organisation INFEST from Ponorogo and Blitar. The second session followed in Banyuwangi (10-11 September) for beneficiaries of partner organisation Migrant CARE from Jember and Banyuwangi, engaging prospective migrant workers, returnees, community-based structures, and local village governments.

Throughout the sessions, participants built financial literacy by mastering household budgeting, savings strategies, and remittance management for long-term investments. They explored social enterprise concepts, using the Business Model Canvas to translate migration income into sustainable local business ideas, and drafted tailored Business Action Plans to secure financial independence both before departure and upon returning home.

By shifting the perspective on migration from short-term income generation to long-term asset building, these initiatives help strengthen local support systems and foster lasting economic independence for workers and their families. 🙏🏼

01/09/2026

Knowledge is turning into action with the PROSPER Project in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. ✨

Measuring training attendance or knowledge gained is straightforward. Sustainable change, however, requires application. During our recent monitoring visit, we saw farmers putting climate-smart practices to work in their fields. Across local villages, communities are now producing organic fertilizers and pesticides, using biochar, preparing fermented livestock feed, and planting crops like Java chili and Koro Benguk.

These steps show that learning is taking root.🌱 True progress occurs when project success moves beyond administrative reports and becomes visible in everyday behavior.

The Prosper Project is being implemented by YAKKUM Emergency Unit, with the support of AWO International and funding from Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) and Aktion Deutschland Hilft.

24/08/2026

21/08/2026

𝑭𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝑨𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒂 𝒕𝒐 𝑶𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚: 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏𝑭𝒊𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

On 30–31 July, we joined the “Weaving Resilience: Learning from the Ground, Sustaining the Future” Indigenous Peoples Learning and Sustainability Convergence in Butuan City organized by ECOWEB where Indigenous Peoples, communities, government agencies, development partners, academe, and other stakeholders gathered to share local experiences, good practices, and pathways toward more sustainable and resilient communities. 🙏🏼

For AWO International and Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc. , it was also an opportunity to share the experience of the GreenFiber Project and how communities can build more sustainable livelihoods while strengthening local ownership. Through GreenFiber, farmer organizations and cooperatives have been strengthened alongside investments in renewable-energy-powered abaca processing, technology, and market development.

A key part of the event has been transferring the management of renewable-energy processing facilities to farmer cooperatives, putting the ownership and responsibility for these enterprises closer to the communities themselves.

The convergence recognized GreenFiber as one of the promising local practices with potential for replication and scaling. But the experience also reminds us that sustainable community enterprises are about more than infrastructure. They require strong organizations, good governance, technical mentoring, access to markets, working capital, and leadership that can carry the work forward.

For us, this is what makes GreenFiber meaningful: abaca is not simply a fiber or a product. It is connected to livelihoods, community organization, local enterprise, renewable energy, and the aspirations of farming communities for a more sustainable future.

When communities lead, resilience becomes more than an idea—it becomes something we can build together. ✨

20/08/2026

19/08/2026

We stand together with people affected by crises around the world.

This World Humanitarian Day, we honor:

📢 The community members who are often the first responders, helping their neighbors, sharing what they have, and supporting one another in times of crisis.

📢 The humanitarian workers who selflessly prioritize others, working to save lives, protect dignity, and bring hope to people facing difficult circumstances.

📢 Everyone who keeps showing up, helping others, and choosing compassion over indifference.

Humanitarian action is not only about what we provide, but also about standing with people, listening to their needs, protecting their dignity, and walking alongside them through difficult times.

In times of crisis, let's continue to stand together, care for one another, and .

18/08/2026

17/08/2026

Standing in solidarity with the people of Indonesia as they celebrate 81 years of unity, freedom, and resilience.

Happy Independence Day! 🇮🇩✨

14/08/2026