Indonesia’s government-led public participation platform for youth has struggled to effectively engage young people, especially young women, due to barriers such as a lack of knowledge, motivation, and perceived futility. In response, our women-led NGO network collaborates with youth (ages 15-24), policymakers, and educators to enhance youth capacity, motivation, and opportunities for civic engagement. We also work to foster a more welcoming environment for youth participation in governance.
Our initiative bridges gaps by connecting youth and policymakers to identify critical issues, refine engagement processes, and co-create solutions. Using community-developed digital platforms in local languages, we organize issue-specific competitions that inform policy dialogues and encourage policies reflecting youth concerns.
Since 2014, over four million individuals, 60% of whom are young women, have participated in our initiative across four provinces. Women also play key roles in designing, implementing, and evaluating our programs.
A 2023 independent evaluation by SMERU Research Institute confirmed significant improvements in the willingness, understanding, and ability of Indonesian youth to participate in civic matters. As one participant shared during the 2024 BASAbali Youth Conference, “With wikithon competitions, we can voice our opinions on social issues and make better changes.”
Our project exemplifies the transformative power of inclusive, youth-driven digital engagement.

https://basaibu.org

• Indonesia

• Youth
• Women

The project, which started in Bali, has been replicated in South Sulawesi, South Kalimantan and West Nusa Tenggara. The replicability of the project is done through community-developed digital platforms in local languages. While the platforms are using local languages, but the same process methods to involve youth and engage them with policymakers in addressing civic issues are applied across project areas.

This project has been implemented through inclusive partnership among a network of women-led NGOs, young people, government agencies, and other stakeholders across Indonesia. As a result, over the years we have received multiple additional fundings and in-kind support to enable the project to grow and reach more youth. Through formal and informal collaborations with local governments we are integrating our approach into the development planning and communication structure led by the government.

By leveraging digital technology, this partnership strives to bridge gaps in existing public participation communication structures and empower Indonesian youth to actively participate in civic life. This integrated approach ensures the structures are inclusive, widely utilized, and tailored to the aspirations and well-being of young people, creating a lasting positive impact by the following: 1. Diverse Expertise and Resources: Each partner brings unique strengths to the table. Women-led NGOs contribute their experience in grassroots advocacy and community mobilization, while government agencies provide the necessary policy support and institutional frameworks. Youth participants bring firsthand insights into their needs and aspirations, ensuring the project is grounded in their lived experiences. 2. Capacity Building and Co-Creation: The partnership focuses on co-producing and co-implementing innovative digital tools that empower young people. By engaging youth directly in the design and implementation phases, we ensure the solutions are not only effective but also widely adopted by the communities they serve. 3. Fostering Sustainability: Collaborating with government bodies ensures policy alignment and institutional backing, which are critical for long-term sustainability. Involving young people as active stakeholders helps embed these systems into the fabric of civic life, fostering ongoing use and development. 4. Alignment with WSIS Action Lines and SDGs: This partnership directly addresses WSIS Action Lines such as C3 (Access to Information and Knowledge), C4 (Capacity Building), and C11 (International and Regional Cooperation). Furthermore, it contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by ensuring equitable access to participatory mechanisms and enhancing civic engagement.