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  3. Engaging University Students to actively participate in the Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in the ProKlim (Climate Villages) Program

Student-led community service program for climate change actions
Engaging University Students to actively participate in the Implementation of Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Initiatives in the ProKlim (Climate Villages) Program

In support of Regulation No. 3 of 2020 issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) under the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka/Free Campus of Free Learning (MBKM) policy—which enables students to pursue learning experiences beyond their academic program for up to three semesters—the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) facilitates University of Lancang Kuning (Unilak) students to participate thematic community service (KKN) initiatives focused on addressing climate change impacts.

Participants expressed strong enthusiasm for engaging in the Climate Change Thematic KKN, demonstrating a shared commitment to contributing to community-based adaptation and mitigation actions.

Participants expressed strong enthusiasm for engaging in the Climate Change Thematic KKN, demonstrating a shared commitment to contributing to community-based adaptation and mitigation actions.

HSF

Participants engaged with community leaders to collaboratively identify and map climate-related challenges in the designated KKN field area

Participants engaged with community leaders to collaboratively identify and map climate-related challenges in the designated KKN field area

HSF

From 2 to 4 June 2025, a preparatory workshop was held in Pekanbaru for 40 students, covering ProKlim-related materials and participatory mapping of challenges in designated Climate Village (ProKlim) areas. The workshop was enriched by contributions from distinguished speakers, including Franky Zamzani, SHUT., M. Env (Director of Mobilization of Climate Change Resources, Ministry of Environment); Dr. Yasdinul Huda, SPd., MT. (State University of Padang); Agus Yones, SH. (Siak Regency Environment Agency); Koko Wijarnako (Directorate of Adaptation, Ministry of Environment); and Alexsander Yandra, SIP., MSi. (Universitas Lancang Kuning), among others.

The workshop concluded with a field visit to Kayu Ara Village in Siak Regency, the designated site for the thematic KKN program. During the visit, students were divided into groups to engage directly with the local community and conduct participatory mapping of climate-related challenges.

Through the KKN, students are expected to implement community-level adaptation and mitigation activities such as environmental education, waste management, energy conservation, and biodiversity conservation, etc. These activities offer students contextual learning experiences while simultaneously strengthening community resilience to climate change. Key outcomes of the KKN include:

Participants actively took part in the preparatory workshop, laying the groundwork for their involvement in thematic KKN activities focused on climate change

Participants actively took part in the preparatory workshop, laying the groundwork for their involvement in thematic KKN activities focused on climate change

HSF

1. Enhanced students’ awareness of climate change adaptation and mitigation

2. Identification of follow-up actions to inform future program design

3. Strengthened collaboration with local governments to align KKN activities with climate-related policies

4. Improved communication with community partners to support program sustainability

 

ProKlim is a national initiative led by the Ministry of Environment (KLH) to promote community engagement in climate change adaptation and mitigation. The program encourages tangible, locally driven actions to build resilience against climate impacts and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.