The Voices for Just Climate Action (VCA) program was founded on the principle that climate solutions must center the communities most affected by climate change, who have historically contributed the least to the crisis. Over five years, VCA sought to ensure that these frontline communities had the resources, platforms, and capacity to lead climate action. Job Muriithi and Winny Nyawira of Hivos reflect on the program’s outcomes and highlight lessons for governments and donors to support fair and equitable climate solutions.
In Indonesia’s coastal villages, the program demonstrated the power of listening to and amplifying local voices. Communities in Nusa Tenggara Timur were supported to lead initiatives that integrated traditional knowledge with modern climate adaptations, fostering sustainable livelihoods and stronger local ecosystems. The program emphasized that effective climate action begins with local leadership and respect for community expertise.
A cornerstone of VCA’s approach was the Next Level Grant Facility (NLGF), which funded 62 projects across 11 Indonesian provinces, reaching thousands of people. Over half of the grantees were first-time recipients of formal funding, and many focused on environmental justice, disability inclusion, and gender-responsive community action. Capacity-building support from partners such as the Samdhana Institute and Humanis enabled grantees to strengthen climate literacy, financial management, and adaptive planning. This support allowed women fishers and Indigenous communities to actively engage with policymakers, positioning them as key contributors to climate resilience and sustainability efforts.
The program’s legacy extends beyond projects to policies, people, and places. Coastal communities, once absent from decision-making processes, now serve as advisors to government on climate-resilient infrastructure, environmental protection, and equitable financing. VCA highlighted the critical role of oceans for food security, livelihoods, and cultural identity, bringing maritime perspectives into climate discussions that had largely focused on land-based sectors. Inclusive forums that engaged women, youth, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities helped communities articulate needs, share traditional knowledge, and influence lasting policies.
Despite successes, challenges persist. Civic space is shrinking, funding remains limited, and systemic exclusion continues. Indonesian partners responded strategically by investing in visible community assets such as mangrove cooperatives, fish-processing hubs, and coral restoration sites. These tangible wins strengthened local advocacy and attracted additional funding, demonstrating that community-led development can serve as a bridge to broader policy influence even under restrictive conditions. Nearly USD 400,000 in supplementary funding was leveraged, confirming the efficacy of this approach.
Lessons from VCA Indonesia underscore practical strategies for future climate action: launch grants and governance structures early, scale thoughtfully with adequate coordination, design flexible programs responsive to civic and environmental challenges, prioritize trust through transparent partnerships, and adapt accountability to community capacities. These lessons highlight that resilient, equitable climate solutions are best achieved when local knowledge, leadership, and capacity are central to planning and execution.
The program’s conclusion is a call to action for donors and governments. Communities must be given fair climate finance, protected civic spaces, and recognition as experts rather than mere beneficiaries. VCA’s experience in Indonesia shows that locally led climate action can generate scalable, just, and resilient outcomes. Extending these models globally is essential for meaningful climate justice, ensuring that ecosystem guardians play a central role in shaping solutions that safeguard both people and the planet.
