Our approach

In a so-called "community arena" we create a participatory working environment and a joint learning process between the project team and the participants. The aim is to create a space for ideas and the planning and testing of sustainability innovations. In the community arena, the current land use change and accompanying economic, social and institutional changes in Pematang Kabau are discussed. Viewpoints and the local meaning of sustainability are elaborated in order to later determine which innovations and transformations would be suitable to achieve more sustainability in land use and the agricultural value chain. At the beginning of the project, capacity building activities such as trainings and field trips also play a major role. Later, selected sustainability innovations are to be jointly implemented in the village.

We use a variety of participatory workshop methods to identify the causes and effects of current unsustainable trends and to develop shared visions for a more sustainable village in the future. Together, we identify transformation paths that are more beneficial for the environment and natural resources, while also being economically attractive and socially viable for livelihoods and society.