Writer: Maria Michelle

Sustainability is not only the responsibility of governments or big institutions, it calls for collective action. From increasing deforestation in Kalimantan and Papua to worsening urban air quality and Indonesia’s growing plastic waste crisis shows how environmental and social challenges are deeply connected. It also shows why no single actor can tackle them alone.

Can sustainability be achieved without all hands on deck?

Multi-stakeholder collaboration goes beyond mere cooperation. It brings together diverse actors with different perspectives and resources, such as the government as a regulator, the private sector as an investor, local communities as participants and advocates, academics as researchers, and the media as a bridge of communication. To reach collective goals, these actors must engage in continuous dialogue and shared learning, a model especially relevant for Indonesia with its vast cultural and geographical diversity in the pursuit of sustainability.

At its core, sustainability rests on three interconnected pillars: economic, social, and environmental. Without inclusivity, solutions risk becoming one-sided—for example, focusing only on economic growth while ignoring environmental consequences. This interconnectedness strongly reflects SDGs Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which highlights cross-sector collaboration as the foundation of inclusive and holistic sustainable development (United Nations, 2015).

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Indonesia, with its long tradition of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), has already embraced collaborative approaches in development. A notable example is the management of the Leuser Ecosystem Area (Kawasan Ekosistem Leuser/KEL) in Aceh. KEL is one of the world’s oldest and most valuable tropical rainforests, vital for climate regulation and carbon storage. Its protection is supported by legal frameworks, including the Aceh Governance Law No. 11/2006 and its designation as both a National Strategic Area for Environmental Protection and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. These regulations emphasize the joint responsibility of government, NGOs, and local communities in safeguarding the ecosystem.

In practice, the government, NGOs, indigenous peoples, and local communities collaborate to protect the Leuser forests from deforestation and illegal activities, while also gaining economic benefits through community-based forest management. This model demonstrates how environmental protection can go hand in hand with sustainable economic practices, such as eco-tourism, non-timber forest products, and sustainable agriculture. By aligning conservation with local livelihoods, the KEL initiative reflects the essence of a sustainable economy. One that not only preserves biodiversity and natural resources but also ensures long-term prosperity for the people who depend on them.

What are the challenges to achieve inclusive sustainability?

While collaboration offers great potential, its implementation still faces challenges. One of the main issues is the imbalance of power among the actors involved (Gray & Purdy, 2018). More dominant actors often control the agenda and decision-making processes. In addition, conflicting interests, differences in values, limited capacity, and unequal distribution of resources remain persistent obstacles.

According to a study by Darniyus (2025), collaboration has a substantial impact on accelerating the achievement of local environmental SDGs. Similarly, research conducted by Rahmawati et al. (2025) shows that collaborative approaches between government, the private sector, and economic actors can foster the development and strengthening of local creative economy ecosystems.

Building stronger and more inclusive collaboration

There is so much we can do to build strong and inclusive collaboration, especially in today’s digital era. As youth, we hold a key responsibility in ensuring sustainability for the future. This can be achieved through public diplomacy, opening multi-stakeholder dialogue, strengthening local community participation in planning, encouraging green investment and inclusive digital innovation, and upholding the principle of “no one left behind” in every sustainability agenda.

SAFE (Sustainability Action for the Future Economy) 2025 by Katadata is a concrete example of multi-stakeholder collaboration in driving a sustainable economy. Taking place on September 10–11, 2025, at the Kempinski Grand Ballroom, Jakarta, the forum carries the theme “Green for Resilience” and brings together key actors, from government, private sector, academia, and youth, to advance Indonesia’s sustainable economy through dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.

By fostering partnerships across sectors, this forum embodies the spirit of inclusivity in sustainability, where every actor plays a role in building long-term prosperity for both people and the planet. Be part of the movement and register now for SAFE 2025 on https://katadata.co.id/SAFE!

Now is our time to step in and take part in shaping a greener and more resilient future for Indonesia!

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References

Alizar, A. M. (2024). Kolaborasi Multipihak di Aceh: Sebuah Tinjauan Historis dan Kontemporer –. IAP2 Indonesia. https://iap2.or.id/kolaborasi-multipihak-di-aceh-sebuah-tinjauan-historis-dan-kontemporer/ 

Darniyus, A.-A. (2025). Mengkaji Kolaborasi Kebijakan Publik dalam Percepatan SDGs Lingkungan Lokal: Tinjauan Pustaka Inisiatif di Berbagai Daerah. Jurusan Administrasi Niaga, Politeknik Negeri Medan, Kota Medan, 8(1), 722-729. https://journals.upi-yai.ac.id/index.php/IKRAITH-EKONOMIKA/article/view/5067 

Environesia Global Saraya. (2025). 5 Masalah Lingkungan Paling Mendesak di Indonesia Tahun Ini. Environesia Global Saraya. https://environesia.co.id/blog/5-Masalah-Lingkungan-Paling-Mendesak-di-Indonesia-Tahun-Ini 

Gray, B., & Purdy, J. (2018). Collaborating for Our Future – Barbara Gray; Jill Purdy. Oxford University Press. Retrieved rom https://global.oup.com/academic/product/collaborating-for-our-future-9780198782841?cc=id&lang=en& 

HAkA. (2025). Kawasan Ekosistem Leuser. Yayasan HAkA. Retrieved from https://haka.or.id/tentang-kami/kawasan-ekosistem-leuser/ 

Katadata. (2025). SAFE 2025: GREEN FOR RESILIENCE. Katadata. Retrieved from https://katadata.co.id/SAFE 

Rahmawati, Fajri, N., & Fatticia, R. (2025). ANALISIS STRATEGI KEMITRAAN ANTARA PEMERINTAH DAN SWASTA DALAM PENGEMBANGAN EKOSISTEM EKONOMI KREATIF. Seminar Nasional Pariwisata dan Kewirausahaan (SNPK), 4, 422-431. https://doi.org/10.36441/snpk.vol4.2025.358 

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development | Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Sustainable Development Goals. Retrieved from https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda