Project: Implement community-led, sustainable technology solutions in two villages in Indonesia.
Funded by: Internet Society Foundation (ISF) Resiliency Grant Program
Objective achieved: Developed and transitioned a replicable model of community-led, sustainable Internet connectivity that enhances resiliency in communities facing natural disaster-related issues.
At Atma Connect, we strive to bring about sustainable change. And in Indonesia, here’s a new example that impacts many and could be replicated in communities around the world.
“Today, we officially handed over this satellite-based internet network system to the Ciengang and Sukamaju Village Governments,” said Alfan Kasdar, Atma’s Field Director in Indonesia on October 8, 2024. “We are excited about the ways that this internet infrastructure can support various social and economic activities, strengthen village capacity in dealing with disasters, and expand access to information for the community.”
He also credited training and simulations that have been carried out, as well as the creation of the SIBAT — volunteers who comprise the Village-Based Disaster Preparedness Team —- as a key component to maintain village resilience in the future.
The Citizen-Based Internet Infrastructure Program for Disaster Resilience has three main components:
- Sustainable infrastructure and financing: Development of satellite-based internet infrastructure in two villages, which previously had very limited internet access, and a sustainable funding component to ensure the infrastructure is maintained and can provide benefits for decades to come.
- AtmaGo as disaster hub: Development of the AtmaGo mobile app and platform as a *disaster hub*, integrating disaster information from official institutions and community crowd-sourced information.
- Deep community involvement: Formation and assistance of a Village-Based Disaster Preparedness Team (known as “SIBAT”) trained in disaster preparedness, citizen journalism, and community internet management.
Among the achievements:
- Volunteers on each SIBAT team in each village are now ready to face disasters, share key information, and become active citizen journalists.
- The AtmaGo platform has become a source of disaster information with more than 500 posts so far by residents related to disaster mitigation, education and village economic potential.
- The satellite-based internet network is now ready for use. It includes 4 Starlink units, 12 Ubiquiti LiteBeam units [outdoor wireless broadband] units and 23 access points. This system is powered by solar power, so it can function independently without electricity for 18 hours.
- A recent disaster response simulation in Nyalindung and Gegerbitung Districts involved approximately 600 participants, indicating high community participation and receiving much media attention.
We thank all parties who have played an active role in the success of this program: Sukabumi Regency Government, PMI (the Indonesian Red Cross), sub-district heads, village heads, BPBD (the national disaster management agency), the SIBAT teams, and the entire community.
As Atma’s Alfan Kasdar said, “Our hope is that what we do today will be an important milestone in building a society that is more resilient, connected and ready to face disasters. We look forward to making this a reality.”