BY ANASTASIA KURNIADI, ASSOCIATE
Back in January, Koon Peng and I embarked on an exploratory trip across three cities to lay the groundwork for APC’s upcoming Indonesia Learning Journey. This journey is designed to bring APC members and guests closer to Indonesia’s philanthropic landscape, connecting them with key actors and immersing them in the country’s rich local contexts.
Each year, APC organises a Learning Journey to dive deeper into the philanthropy sector of a country or a region—and this year’s edition is particularly special. With some of Indonesia’s leading philanthropists among our own APC members, they have graciously invited our community for exclusive access to their innovative initiatives.
On a personal level, this trip was more than just a site visit—it felt like a homecoming. Having been born and raised in Jakarta, I have long been engaged with Indonesia’s social challenges. Yet, this journey offered a fresh perspective on my own country. Meeting local changemakers, exploring impactful initiatives, and seeing place-based philanthropy in action deepened my appreciation for the diverse and dynamic forces driving Indonesia’s social sector forward.
Here are some of the moments that stood out to me which are glimpses of Indonesia’s immense potential for impact—and hopefully, they will get you as excited for the journey as we are!
- Bali: Sustainability and Conservation in Action
Our journey began in Bali, a world-renowned tourism destination navigating the delicate balance between development and conservation.
One of the most exciting meetings we had was with Terratai, Asia’s first venture builder for nature. As we made our way to their office, we were welcomed by vast paddy fields and local farmers who greeted us with friendly smiles. It was truly a treat and a refreshing pause from the city’s constant pace.
We were warmly welcomed by Terratai’s small but mighty team—Matt, Yuni, Andina and Aini—who shared their passion for nurturing early-stage nature-based enterprises. As they spoke about their vision of providing holistic support to promising enterprises and the growing ecosystem, their energy was infectious. Even the cows next door seemed to chime in with their enthusiastic moos, echoing our excitement!
We also had the opportunity to explore Kura Kura Bali, a newly established Special Economic Zone focused on sustainable development. The area is still closed to the public, but we were treated to a private car tour around the island. Seeing Tsinghua University’s Southeast Asia Center and learning about the island’s master plan reminded me of how economic growth and environmental stewardship must truly go hand in hand.
- Jakarta: The Heart of Indonesia’s Social Impact Ecosystem
No trip to Indonesia is complete without a stop in its capital, Jakarta—the country’s philanthropic and social impact epicentre.
A highlight of our visit was Tanoto Foundation’s new office, where we explored their Impact Gallery —an immersive journey through the foundation’s history. Walking through the gallery, I felt as though I was walking down memory lane, witnessing Tanoto’s philanthropic evolution and gaining a deeper understanding of how their approaches in education and early childhood development (ECD) have transformed over time.
Beyond this visit, I am especially looking forward to exploring their Rumah Anak SIGAP, a flagship ECD program, and engaging with other key players in Indonesia’s social impact ecosystem during our Learning Journey.
- Kudus: Place-Based Philanthropy and Cultural Heritage
Our final stop was Kudus, a small city known for its kretek (clove cigarette) industry and home to Djarum Foundation. Kudus is steeped in history, and I was struck by how its rich cultural heritage is embodied in the people’s day-to-day lives.
One of the most memorable aspects of our visit was the food. Kudus’ culinary traditions tell powerful stories—such as the use of caribou meat instead of beef in certain dishes, symbolizing interfaith tolerance. Each meal we had was not just delicious but also a testament to the city’s deep-rooted culture and history.
A highlight was our experience dining at Jiva Bestari, a culinary social enterprise supported by Djarum Foundation. Operated by students from a local vocational school, the restaurant provided a memorable fine dining experience that showcased their impressive training in hospitality and culinary arts. I was particularly impressed by the way these young chefs reimagined traditional Indonesian dishes, elevating familiar flavours into modern presentations. Each plate was a testament to their dedication and talent, reinforcing the importance of vocational education as a driver for Indonesia’s creative economy.
Djarum’s impact extends beyond the culinary world. Their vision for growing Indonesia’s sports scene is just as remarkable. Visiting Djarum’s Badminton Training Center, where many Indonesian legends have trained, was an unforgettable experience. The real test, however, came when we attempted to spar with young athletes—and, to no one’s surprise, were easily defeated!
Beyond badminton, Djarum is pushing boundaries in women’s football, a sport still in its early stages of development in Indonesia. We witnessed their commitment that is embodied in their new stadium, a symbol of their ambition to create more opportunities for young girls to take the field. Listening to their vision—and the challenges they face in encouraging more women to pursue the sport—was truly eye-opening.
- An Exciting Journey Ahead!
As we reflect on the insights from this trip, we are eager to welcome our members and close partners on this first-hand experience—one that will deepen their understanding of Indonesia’s local contexts while fostering peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
We look forward to having you join us on this journey, and I personally can’t wait to welcome you to my home country!