Sustainable Community Transformation Process. The Role of Capacity Building in Sumba, Indonesia

Abstract

This chapter is about the role of capacity building of local NGOs in Sumba, a poor island in the Eastern part of Indonesia. It is part of a larger initiative referred to as Sumba Iconic Island (SII), which aimed to solve poverty problems, transforming unequal gender relations while at the same time mitigating climate change. This study traced what happened after six years after the project ended. It is done by exploring the project documentation and conducting interviews with Hivos staff and the alumni representatives. We find that it has improved nature, community wellbeing, women leadership, and more equal gender relations. We conclude that: (1) transformation is not a linear process; (2) the changes toward the vision are not direct but tortuous; (3) there are unintended consequences, which can be positively or negatively influence the initial goal, and (4) the capacity to analyze the situation, reflect, and create action is crucial in the transformation process.