Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), supported by PT Insight Investments Management, worked with Yayasan Insan Bumi Mandiri to strengthen livelihoods and environmental sustainability through the Energy Village Program in Boleng Darat Hamlet, Tanjung Boleng Village, Boleng District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

West Manggarai is part of one of Indonesia’s five super-priority national tourism areas, with development focused heavily on Labuan Bajo in Komodo District. Communities in other districts have not always experienced the same benefits. Data cited from West Manggarai in Figures 2023 highlighted disparities in population conditions, health access, child nutrition, poverty, employment, and sustainable development.

The local poverty rate of 17.15 percent demonstrated that economic inequality remained a significant challenge. Uneven distribution of economic growth and limited access to decent employment affected communities outside the main tourism center.

Boleng Darat Hamlet was home to 37 fishers who generally caught fish for household consumption and sale to nearby residents. Selling larger catches in town required a long journey that could reduce product quality. The fishers also had difficulty obtaining block ice to preserve their catch during transportation to Labuan Bajo.

Running from April to December 2024, the Energy Village Program aimed to increase the fishers’ capacity, improve business operations, and raise income for members of the Boleng fishing group. Direct beneficiaries included the fishers, their families, and the wider community.

The program supplied a solar-power system and cold-storage equipment consisting of one ice maker, two 600-liter cold-storage units, four 12-volt 100-Ah batteries, six 200-Wp solar panels, one 2-kW hybrid inverter, and circuit breakers for the solar panels and batteries. Support also included formation and strengthening of the fishing group, financial-literacy mentoring, fish-product processing, and family resilience and health activities.

In August 2024, YIIM and Insight IM also provided five boats, 20 fishing lines, and 20 layered fishing nets. The equipment was intended to increase fishing capacity, productivity, and household income.

The energy equipment became operational and enabled the group to make ice and store fish locally. By 26 August 2024, the fishing group had recorded a total catch of 260 kilograms. Ice sales based on fisher orders had generated approximately Rp900,000 in turnover, with half placed in the group’s fund to help cover electricity and other operational costs.

YIIM, Insight IM, and Yayasan Insan Bumi Mandiri continued assisting the group in expanding market access. The combination of renewable energy, cold storage, fishing equipment, training, and market support was designed to reduce spoilage and create more sustainable local income.

The program forms part of Insight IM’s corporate social and environmental responsibility commitment and contributes to SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Salam Inspirasi!