YKAN Supports Sustainable Development in Sabu Raijua Through the SIGAP Approach

The Government of Sabu Raijua Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is aligning the Village Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMDes) with the Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) for 2025–2029. This synchronization ensures that village development aligns with the district's vision, mission, and policy direction, while also considering environmental sustainability issues.

The three-day event, held from September 17 to 19, 2025, involved 10 villages from three subdistricts, along with subdistrict heads, village facilitators, and relevant regional agencies. To enhance the synchronization of RPJMDes and RPJMD, villages initiated participatory village development planning. Subsequently, they reviewed the RPJMDes and received technical guidance to ensure the preparation of sustainable RPJMDes. This series of activities was facilitated by Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara (YKAN) through the Community Inspirational Actions for Change (SIGAP) approach, which emphasizes community empowerment and sustainable village development planning.

Sabu Raijua Regent, Krisman B. Riwu Kore, highlighted that this synchronization marks a crucial juncture in shaping the development of the archipelagic region, which is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. “The 2025–2029 RPJMD is based on transparency, participation, and environmental awareness. This document will guide development for the next five years. Villages must adopt it as a reference to ensure aligned development that avoids overlap, focuses on public welfare, and maintains ecological balance,” he said during the opening of the event.

He added that integrating village and district planning is crucial because villages are the frontline of development. “If villages are strong, the district will be strong. Therefore, village development must be connected to the RPJMD,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Viktor Radamuri, the Head of Sabu Raijua Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), explained that the synchronization process involves reviewing the RPJMDes prepared in April 2025 and making necessary adjustments to align with the newly adopted RPJMD. “The goal is to ensure that village programs and activities do not run in isolation. With this synchronization, each village will have a clearer development direction aligned with district priorities, improving the efficiency of budget use,” he said.

He added that environmental issues are key in this RPJMD period. “Sabu Raijua faces drought, land degradation, and limited clean water. Development must therefore prioritize not only infrastructure but also the preservation of natural resources. Village programs such as water reservoirs, reforestation of critical land, and coastal protection must be integrated into RPJMDes. These efforts will strengthen our resilience to increasingly extreme climate conditions,” he stressed.

Lobohede Village Head, Obi Labu, noted that the activity provided new insights for village officials on the importance of aligning village programs with district policies. “We now better understand how to integrate sustainability issues into the RPJMDes. For example, managing agricultural land must consider soil and water conservation. Previously, many villages focused only on short-term programs. Now we are encouraged to take a broader and longer-term view of development,” he said.

SIGAP as a Strategy for Sustainable Development  

YKAN, the government’s key partner, facilitates the development of participatory planning in several villages within Sabu Raijua Regency using the SIGAP approach. SIGAP assists these villages in integrating environmental mapping, local potential, community data, and aspirations related to climate resilience and sustainable village management into their planning documents. Villages that have previously received assistance have already undergone RPJMDes reviews, which simplifies their synchronization with the RPJMD.

YKAN Ocean Program Director, Muhammad Ilman, emphasized the crucial role of incorporating environmental considerations into village development planning. “Village development that ignores ecological aspects will only bring short-term benefits. Sabu Raijua is an archipelagic region vulnerable to climate change, drought, and water scarcity. Therefore, development must be sustainability-based. Aligning RPJMDes with RPJMD ensures that villages in Sabu Raijua can prosper without sacrificing environmental preservation,” he said.

Ilman added that SIGAP encourages residents to optimize their own local potential. “We believe that real change comes from empowered villagers. Through this process, communities are encouraged to take inspirational actions that not only improve welfare but also protect the nature that sustains their livelihoods,” he concluded.

With this synchronization, the local government, together with village communities and development partners, hopes to create a more climate-resilient, prosperous, and sustainable Sabu Raijua over the next five years.