Jelajah Kolaboraya at UKDW: Advancing Inclusive, Collaborative Civic Engagement
Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta hosted Jelajah Kolaboraya, a civic innovation forum organized by Roemah Inspirit (Roemi) and Arsitek Komunitas (Arkom) Indonesia, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The event was held at Didaktos Atrium, UKDW, brought together changemakers, students, and community leaders to explore new models for inclusive, collaborative social development.
This year’s edition carried the theme: “The Ecosystem Approach: A Pathway to Building a Resilient Civil Society Movement.” Jelajah Kolaboraya 2025 serves as a lead-in to the annual Pasar Kolaboraya, a flagship event of Kolaborasi Raya—a multi-sectoral initiative that brings together social innovators from diverse fields to connect, collaborate, and co-create transformative, sustainable solutions to pressing global and local issues. These include the climate crisis, food and water insecurity, energy transition, and democratic resilience.
Strengthening Civil Society Through Education and Partnerships
The event opened with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UKDW and Arkom Indonesia, signaling a long-term commitment to fostering socially conscious education and community-responsive initiatives. The partnership aims to embed social awareness into higher education and expand UKDW’s capacity to serve as a hub for inclusive civic action.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to empower our students to engage with real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to community development,” said UKDW Rector Dr.-Ing. Wiyatiningsih, S.T., M.T. “Universities must go beyond academics—we must be active agents in shaping equitable, inclusive ecosystems.”
Rethinking Urban Systems: The Ecosystem Hub Model
A panel discussion followed the signing ceremony, featuring Budhita Kusmadi, Rector Wiyatiningsih, and Arkom Indonesia Director Yuli Kusworo, S.T., M.Sc. The discussion centered on the concept of urban ecosystem hubs—collaborative, decentralized community infrastructures that foster shared innovation, sustainability, and resilience.
Yuli Kusworo explained that the ecosystem approach views social change as a dynamic, interconnected process. “A resilient civil society must operate like a living ecosystem—sharing energy, knowledge, and resources to support mutual growth and adaptive solutions,” he said.
Panelists highlighted the unique role of academic institutions and grassroots organizations in co-creating these civic ecosystems. Universities, in particular, were seen as critical platforms for nurturing leadership, facilitating knowledge exchange, and catalyzing collective action.
Hands-On Collaboration and Network Building
In the spirit of collaboration, participants engaged in interactive group activities designed to simulate ecosystem-based problem-solving. Participants mapped out their personal and organizational networks, shared community initiatives, and co-developed action plans to address shared challenges.
One exercise invited attendees to write down a social initiative they hoped to launch. Participants then exchanged ideas, offered feedback, and explored strategies for implementation based on available resources and cross-sector partnerships.
Fanny, a participant from Solo, reflected on the experience: “It was eye-opening to meet people and communities facing the same challenges. The opportunity to learn from others and discover collaborative paths forward is exactly what we need to create real impact. I hope Kolaboraya continues to grow and engage even more voices in this movement.”
Looking Ahead
As global and local communities face increasingly complex challenges, events like Jelajah Kolaboraya highlight the importance of inclusive civic platforms where diverse actors can come together, share knowledge, and drive collective innovation. With its focus on co-creation and ecosystem thinking, the event represents a growing movement to reshape how civil society responds to crises—not through isolated action, but through shared purpose and sustained collaboration. [jonathan/trans.drr]
