GoTo Impact Foundation

At GIF Innovation Day 2024, Hans Patuwo, COO of Gojek, shared an inspiring perspective on how technology and culture should go hand-in-hand. Early in Gojek's journey, it faced significant challenges, including sudden backlash from drivers over changes in incentives. Rather than just addressing the symptoms, Gojek digged deeper to identify and solve the core issues. By understanding the underlying causes, Gojek know known as GoTo Group developed solutions that integrated technology with the local culture of their driver community. Hans emphasized that true innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it needs to align with the values and realities of the people it serves. “We can’t use technology as an excuse to overlook local wisdom,” he said. “It’s not the end goal but a powerful tool that must be used thoughtfully to bring about meaningful change.” There are a lot of tools that we can use to do the RCA, the fishbone tool for example. It helps us to dig deeper into the reason on why something is happening and get the core cause. The story of Gojek from Hans Patuwo shows how RCA can guide problem-solving by looking beyond surface-level issues and creating solutions that resonate with local needs. Curious about further stories on how technology and culture can create impactful solutions? Watch more on YouTube.

In the spirit of Youth Pledge Day, let's ignite the passion for unity and collaboration. Roda Hijau and Aksata Pangan, two different organizations embody the power of coming together to develop Kenegerian Sihotang with Samosir Mallatam project CCE 2.0. At the heart of this project are two young and inspiring leaders. Siti Suci Larasati, a dedicated #youth, initiated Aksata Pangan, an organization that transforms food waste into valuable resources for the community. On the other hand, Christella Suwongso founded Roda Hijau, focusing on waste management in the city of Medan. Despite coming from different backgrounds, their unbeatable spirit of #unity is something we should all have, as it reflects how we can join hands to build a better #Indonesia. Youth is about having a united spirit, no matter our diverse backgrounds. Youth is about the drive and relentless effort to bring about change. Youth is about us. Let’s celebrate the Youth Pledge by recognizing the power of young people to lead, inspire, and make a difference. Happy Indonesia’s Youth Pledge Day! #YouthPledgeDay

Meet one of our changemakers from CCE 3.0, Berikan Protein Initiative! Berikan Protein Initiative is an NGO focused on addressing malnutrition through the innovative use of low-value fish often discarded by fisherman. By processing these underutilized fish into Fish Protein Hydrolysate Powder, they create a long-lasting, odorless, and protein-rich supplement that can easily be added to various foods, enhancing their nutritional value. Using efficient, end-to-end #technology, Berikan Protein Initiative converts bycatch into a valuable source of nutrition, aiming to make high-protein food supplements accessible to communities in need. Beyond production, they also engage in #educational initiatives to raise awareness about balanced nutrition and the benefits of protein. As part of the Berikanesia Lestari consortium, Berikan Protein Initiative has been recognized under the CCE 3.0 program for its impactful, #sustainable practices. Their work demonstrates how innovation can turn waste into a solution, contributing to better public health and nutrition. Curious to learn more about their story? Watch the full explanation in the video!

Mangkunegaran has been a pioneer in innovating while deeply connected to local culture for centuries. Since its establishment in 1757, Pura Mangkunegaran in Solo has been a cradle for groundbreaking ideas that often led the way. Since the beginning, Mangkunegara as the palace leader broke the usual practices, such as prioritizing the value of togetherness, and gathering people inside the palace. One of the most notable achievements came from Mangkunegara VII, who founded Solosche Radio Vereeniging in 1933 the first radio station in Indonesia, now known as RRI Surakarta. This step revolutionized communication, showing how Mangkunegaran has always been ahead of its time. But innovation started even way earlier. Mangkunegara IV in 1861 established two sugar factories to boost the economy of the Solo region. This strategic move laid the foundation for local economic growth, showing Mangkunegaran's commitment to modernization and development. A few years later, Mangkunegara IV continued this progress by building the first railway tracks in Solo, setting the stage for Indonesia’s rail network and further enhancing connectivity and commerce in 1870. Speaking at Innovation Day 2024 in an inspiring talk show session moderated by Zensa Rahman, Managing Director Pemimpin.id, Sri Paduka Mangkoenagoro X shared his thoughts on this spirit of innovation. For him, innovation isn’t just about technology but a mindset that turns challenges into opportunities. "Culture must be developed in a way that is relevant and fits the context" he said, emphasizing the balance between tradition and creativity. He also encouraged the younger generation to keep innovating by using local culture as the foundation for sustainable projects. Want to hear more about Mangkunegaran's journey of innovation? Watch the full story on our YouTube channel.

We are incredibly grateful for Sharon's remarkable eight months as a Partnership Intern at GIF! Sharon Majesty (21) is an accomplished graduate of the International Economics Program at Universitas Padjadjaran, earning cum laude honors. Her academic journey was enriched by an exchange program at La Rochelle Université in France, where she gained a global perspective on economics, management, and languages. Sharon has shown outstanding leadership and teamwork skills beyond academics. She led Hima ESP FEB Unpad and BEM Kema Unpad for over two years during which she actively contributed to student life and community engagement. Moreover, she participated in over ten voluntary and committee activities, reflecting her dedication to growth and social responsibility throughout the university. Sharon’s passion for social impact, gender equality, and youth participation has been evident throughout her journey. Her thesis, "Unveiling the Workforce Dilemma: Factors Shaping Employment Choices of Married Women," emphasized the importance of female workforce participation, earning her opportunities to present at two international conferences, as well as inclusion in an international book chapter. Earlier this year, she was honored as a YLI Awardee, one of Indonesia's prestigious leadership programs, recognizing her exceptional potential. She then also launched her initiative, Womenpowered, equipping students with personal branding skills to better prepare for their careers. Over the past 8 months as a partnership intern at GIF, Sharon has tracked trends, managed projects, and built strong collaborations. Reliable, eager, and motivated, she has positively impacted our team. We deeply appreciate Sharon's dedication, hard work, and the valuable time she has invested with us. We look forward to seeing all she will continue to achieve. Good luck, Sharon!

Indonesia's true strength lies in its deep-rooted cultural wisdom, yet rapid technological advancements are slowly pushing these values aside. Have you ever heard of a story about the sea tribes that believed that their ancestors could catch fish with only a flick of a finger? It turned out that they crafted unique boats from tall trees, specifically designed for efficient fishing. These boats had different heights on their left and right side, so when the fish came towards them, they jumped directly onto the boats. This highlights that Indonesia has a long history of innovation, demonstrating our ability to adapt and create. However, today, this invaluable tradition is at risk of being lost as modern practices and materials take over. As local innovations get overshadowed, there's a risk of losing our unique identity. Monica Oudang, Chairperson of GoTo Impact Foundation, emphasizes that "Indonesia’s strength lies in the richness of its cultural knowledge." She believes that true innovation doesn’t mean leaving our heritage behind but instead finding ways to integrate it. Monica’s reflection calls for a collective effort to rethink how we innovate in Indonesia. Now, a question, how can we strengthen local innovations that respect and celebrate our cultural roots? Watch the full video on our YouTube.

When Olivia started to path her way into the waste management industry, it clearly was not an easy process. Her decision to focus on this field faced skepticism, even from her own family, whose background was quite different. But she was determined to prove herself. With hard work, she gained her family’s support and successfully built Bali Waste Cycle into a growing initiative, helping communities across Bali with sustainable waste solutions. Looking forward to what she does now from managing waste at Bali's Besakih Temple to combining technology with local traditions, Olivia Padang is the driving force behind Bali Waste Cycle, one of the consortiums within the Sukla Project under CCE 2.0. During Innovation Day 2024, Olivia shared her journey in a heartfelt discussion moderated by Dita Guritno, inspiring fellow changemakers preparing for their presentations. One thing Olivia values most about the CCE program is the spirit of teamwork. Through CCE 2.0, Bali Waste Cycle has partnered with Rebricks Indonesia and Wastehub®, combining their efforts for a bigger impact. For Olivia, success means sticking with your goals, always learning, and being ready to adapt. “Challenges are always there,” she says, “but that’s where planning, data, and flexibility make a difference.” Want to learn more about Olivia’s journey and her insights on waste management? Watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/dm4Cbuqt

GIF recognizes that accelerating local innovation is a key solution to addressing challenges in Indonesia. Thus, on October 1st, 2024, we organized GIF Innovation Day 2024 under the theme of "Igniting the Spirit of Innovation Across the Archipelago." The event gathered diverse stakeholders, including policymakers, startups, non-profits, corporations, funders, academics, communities, and media, to foster discussions and collaborations driving local innovations. The day began with an inspiring session led by Olivia Padang from the Sukla Project, moderated by Dita Guritno, followed by semifinalist consortiums presenting their work plans, evaluated by judges Romy Cahyadi, Yanuar Nugroho, and Monica Oudang. They assessed how well the innovations addressed real-world challenges. To explore local innovation further, the event featured three panel sessions. The first one focused on integrating innovation with local culture, featuring Sri Paduka Mangkoenagoro X, Hans Patuwo, and moderated by Zensa Rahman. The second explored the role of technology, culture, and resources, with insights from Alex Sihar, Erik Hormein, and Liris Maduningtyas, moderated by Aristiwidya Bramantika. Then the final session covered financially sustainable innovations, with Hargo Utomo, Vitri Sekarsari, Katrina Inandia, moderated by Swietenia Puspa Lestari. Following that,  a monologue by Ricardo Simanjorang from the CCE 2.0 Samosir Mallatam Project was a highlight, celebrating the resilience and creativity of changemakers. The event concluded with the announcement of four winning consortiums from Belitung, Malang, Central Lombok, and Magelang. We’re thrilled that we held GIF Innovation Day 2024 and thank all participants for their contributions. We believe it sets a strong foundation for future collaboration and innovation across Indonesia. What was your most memorable moment? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Watch the recap video here: https://lnkd.in/dsbM2k_a 

This waste management project at Bali's largest temple complex is making progress, but a new challenge has come up. Can you help them move forward? Back in March, the Sukla Project encountered a major roadblock: the low interest from the Besakih Village community in waste management, which delayed their implementation plan. However, through strategic Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and the launch of a community dashboard to track waste management progress, they successfully turned the situation around. Since then, the project which is led by Bali Waste Cycle, Wastehub®, and Rebricks Indonesia, and supported by the GoTo Impact Foundation (GIF), has achieved remarkable progress. By employing both conventional and non-conventional methods, and revitalizing the TPS3R facility, these local heroes have educated 2,218 households, engaged 4 schools, transformed 13 tons of low-value waste into 3,000 eco-friendly building blocks (rosters), and produced 14 RDF (Refuse-Derived Fuel) balls for co-firing energy production. Yet, with one challenge solved, another has emerged. As we revisit the project and meet directly with the innovators and BUMDes (village-owned enterprise) representative managing the waste unit, it turns out that the project now faces sustainability issues that could threaten its long-term impact if not addressed. Curious to know what the challenge is? Find out only at https://lnkd.in/dq-jN_SA and share what you would have done differently in the comments below!

At GIF, we are committed to fostering growth through impactful solutions for Indonesia. During the GIF Innovation Day 2024, we had the opportunity to speak with the judges who evaluated the selected consortiums tasked with implementing their visionary ideas. As the judges gave questions to the consortiums during the pitching session, one question came to mind: What kind of innovation does Indonesia really need? The consortiums' mission deeply impressed the judges: Monica Oudang, Yanuar Nugroho, and Romy Cahyadi by focusing on local wisdom and sustainability. They believe that the innovations needed in Indonesia are those that help us grow as a nation, those that promote equity, protect our environment, and support #sustainability for Indonesia. From effective waste management to advancing agriculture and empowering local youth through sustainable agribusiness, these solutions are not just innovative but are also designed to address the specific needs and challenges facing the country today. The judges also shared their hopes and expectations that these selected consortiums will showcase concrete changes and serve as an #inspiration for others, proving that sustainable solutions are not only possible but essential for creating a better #Indonesia. What about you? What kind of innovation do you think could lead to a more sustainable and equitable for Indonesia? Share your thoughts in the comments below!