PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The Lokadaya Network has officially launched LOKADANA, a participatory grant platform rooted in community needs and guided by the principles of flexibility and simplicity. The launch also marked the opening of the Micro Grant Call Cycle-1.
The event, held online, was accompanied by a discussion titled “Grants Should Strengthen and Empower.” Speakers included Tino Yosepyn (Lokadaya), Adam Kurniawan (Balang Institute), and Nurul Saadah (SAPDA Yogyakarta). The launch drew strong attention, with around 240 representatives from 38 provinces in attendance.
Shrinking Civic Space, Backsliding Democracy
Over the past decade, civil society space in Indonesia has narrowed considerably, with once-growing democratic freedoms showing clear signs of regression. Adam Kurniawan highlighted indicators such as declining civil liberties, restrictive regulations on citizen participation, and weakening oversight institutions.
The BTI 2024 report recorded a sharp decline in Indonesia’s democratic quality due to the erosion of separation of powers and civil freedoms. Freedom House gave Indonesia a score of 56/100, categorizing the country as Partly Free. Meanwhile, the V-DEM Democracy Report 2025 identified Indonesia as part of the global wave of autocratization, marked by deepening polarization and weakened checks and balances.
“We witnessed it firsthand after the 17+8 protests, when more than 6,700 people were detained. That is a clear sign of shrinking democratic space,” Adam said in a statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Tuesday (30/09).
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Beyond democracy, civil society organizations (CSOs) are also facing a funding crisis. According to Nurul Saadah from SAPDA Yogyakarta, international donors are increasingly channeling support through large institutions or international contractors, leaving smaller, community-based organizations sidelined.
“Domestic funding isn’t much better,” Nurul added. “It is often tied to government or market interests, leaving little access for critical organizations that work closely with communities.”
A 2025 Planet Indonesia Survey showed that 75% of CSOs struggle to cover overhead costs, and 57% are burdened by excessive administrative requirements. As a result, grassroots groups—those best positioned to innovate and address local issues—are often reduced to being mere program implementers.
LOKADANA: A Grassroots Breakthrough
Against this backdrop, LOKADANA was created. According to Tino Yosepyn, LOKADANA is not just a grant mechanism, but a political instrument for civil society to remain sovereign, relevant, and sustainable.
LOKADANA places communities at the center of decision-making—from planning and implementation to evaluation—under the philosophy that real power lies with those most affected. Its processes are simple, flexible, and responsive to real needs, ensuring that funds not only address emergencies but also strengthen solidarity and long-term sustainability.
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“LOKADANA is like a civil society arisan,” Tino explained, referring to the traditional Indonesian rotating savings system rooted in mutual support. “Anyone can contribute. Communities can participate. The funds are pooled and managed collectively. LOKADANA becomes both an economic and political instrument, allowing civil society to reduce dependency on big donors and stand on its own.”
At its launch, LOKADANA successfully raised 36 million rupiah for emergency grants.
For Ilham Majid from Sophia Nusantara in Merauke, South Papua, LOKADANA represents new hope for local CSOs fighting against large-scale food estate projects. “It enables us to run our own agendas without having to depend on external mechanisms,” he said.
Micro Grants and Collective Learning
The launch also opened the first cycle of Micro Grant Calls or Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), designed for grassroots groups, women’s organizations, and youth initiatives. The scheme minimizes bureaucracy, ensuring funds reach those who need them most.
“This is about making sure resources don’t get lost in administration,” Tino emphasized. “It’s about ensuring they go directly to communities.”
Each cycle also serves as a collective learning space, helping communities document best practices, strengthen solidarity, and lay the foundation for future rounds.
Building Collective Sovereignty
Founded in 2021 by 62 organizations across 34 provinces, the Lokadaya Network now comprises 408 civil society organizations in 38 provinces. Its mission is to mobilize, share, and manage domestic resources for inclusive development. The initiative is supported by CO-EVOLVE 2, a European Union program helping Indonesian CSOs adapt to global changes, including the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
LOKADANA emerges at a time when old funding pathways are closing, civic space is shrinking, and global donors are shifting priorities. Yet, from these constraints, civil society has found a new way forward.
With LOKADANA, funding is no longer seen merely as donor assistance—it becomes part of the movement itself. Each rupiah collected symbolizes independence, every community joining adds collective energy, and every grant distributed strengthens democracy from the ground up.
“Together, we are building a civil society arisan for lasting democracy and justice,” Tino concluded.
The launch of LOKADANA and its first micro grant cycle marks a turning point in civil society funding in Indonesia. Instead of relying on external donors that often fragment solidarity, LOKADANA introduces a new model: by the community, for the community.
With the spirit of gotong royong, LOKADANA shows that Indonesia’s civil society can stand on its own, support each other, and build political-economic mechanisms that safeguard the sovereignty of the movement. (P3)
