ALPHA-I successfully conducted its first Capacity Building session for #LocalHeroes4ForestProtection Program in three regions (Kendari, West Manggarai, and Manokwari). The workshop encompassed fundamental knowledge of Climate Change, Creative Advocacy, and Design Thinking as campaign strategies. The event was conducted in a hybrid format, featuring speakers Silvia Landa, who joined from North Carolina-USA, Alfian from Kendari, and Patih Rajahasta from Bandung. All three are expert team members of ALPHA-I who facilitated discussions and provided guidance to the enthusiastic participants in analyzing local environmental issues.

In Manokwari, participants convened at Universitas Papua and subsequently engaged in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) focused on the next follow-up action. ALPHA-I collaborated closely with the local environmental advocacy group “Komunitas Teras” and the local government (Watershed Forum of Southeast Sulawesi Province, Kendari Botanical Garden) and The Forestry and Environmental Science Faculty of UHO in this initiative. Meanwhile, in West Manggarai, the Catholic Youth Association (Orang Muda Katholik, OMK) of Labuhan Bajo took the forefront leading role in program implementation. Moving forward, activities will be conducted on-site at the local level with dedicated support from ALPHA-I facilitators in each chapters.

The ALPHA-I project has been recognized as one of the recipients of the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) in 2023. The AEIF, an initiative that annually identifies innovative projects led by Exchange Alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, aims to enhance regional and global cooperation among alumni. These projects not only align with U.S. foreign policy goals but also bring substantial benefits to communities worldwide.