The CRPP 2025 Forum will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in February 2025 and will invite all organisations involved in the project. The project places grassroots women's groups in a position of collective leadership in tackling poverty and the impacts of climate change. Supported by the Huairou Commission and funded by the Asian Development Bank, this project involves women's groups in Gunungkidul such as Cahyo Tangguh, the Jurangjero Women's Group (KPT), the Mertelu Women's Group (PT), Harjo Manunggal, and Mulyo Mandiri.
Musidah, representing Mulyo Mandiri, had the opportunity to attend the event. At the forum, she was involved in data collection and surveys related to climate change conducted by the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES). She and Ika Rachmani from the Harjo Manunggal group had the opportunity to describe the conditions in Gunungkidul, which has also been affected by climate change. The impact is certainly felt by the people of Gunungkidul, especially during the dry season. Drought has long been a recurring problem in this region, but climate change has exacerbated the problem. In the past, people were able to adapt by planting certain crops during periods of reduced rainfall. However, under current conditions, they struggle to predict the optimal time to plant rice and other crops, leading to crop failures and longer, more unpredictable dry seasons.
Learning for Musidah and the Girimulyo Community
In an interview conducted by the YEU team, Musidah reflected on the knowledge she gained from participating in the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) survey and the CRPP Forum in Bangkok. She reflected on stories from various countries, noting that climate change is clearly being felt by many people, so prevention needs to be carried out at the grassroots level starting now.
He also learned how other countries utilise limited land for cultivation, so he tried to apply this in his village. Now he is able to encourage his friends in the Women Farmers Group in his village to use polybags or used gallon bottles as a medium for growing vegetables in their own yards. He named this programme Gertamsu (Vegetable Planting Movement), which is implemented in small pots, polybags, or used gallon bottles. The aim is to meet the community's need for vegetables or chillies so that they do not have to buy them.
In terms of economic resilience, Musidah is attempting to implement an inclusive financial system inspired by one of the countries participating in the CRPP Forum. In that country, several regions offer easier access to loans, allowing community members to borrow money without collateral to develop small businesses. Musidah is now pioneering a similar model through the Tri Manunggal group in her village. She has begun to implement this through the Tri Manunggal group in her hamlet.
This inclusive financial model operates through savings groups, where members can borrow from a collective fund. The lending system is designed to be easily accessible, with low service fees and simple procedures, relying on mutual trust rather than formal requirements such as stamps or official documents.
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Author: Devina Prima Kesumaningtyas – Information and Communications Officer