Deputy Minister Praises Climate Village Initiative in Magelang, Central Java

On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto visited the Lestari category Climate Village in Jambon Gesikan Village, Cacaban, Magelang City, Central Java, commending its comprehensive environmental management and community-driven sustainability efforts.

Accompanied by Magelang Mayor Damar Prasetyono, the Deputy Minister observed the village’s clean, orderly, and green environment, noting the neat arrangement of ornamental and medicinal plants along roads, residential areas, and village corners. He specifically highlighted the innovative employ of organic waste, including the processing of waste through maggot farming and the production of laundry soap from used cooking oil.

“What interested me was the production of laundry soap from used cooking oil. This is a good innovation, oil waste can now be utilized for cleaning,”

– Bima Arya Sugiarto, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs

During the visit, Sugiarto reviewed the village’s integrated environmental systems, which include recycling programs, waste banks, composting, maggot utilization for waste processing, and the transformation of used cooking oil into cleaning products. He affirmed that the Climate Village in Cacaban stands as one of the best models of environmentally friendly and sustainable residential area management in the region.

The Deputy Minister attributed the village’s success to strong community culture, active participation from local government, and the structured involvement of neighborhood administrators at the RW (Rukun Warga) and RT (Rukun Tetap) levels. He emphasized that the mayor’s direct engagement in monitoring, encouraging, and motivating residents, combined with established community systems, played a crucial role in sustaining the initiative.

Beyond environmental practices, Sugiarto also visited the Nonformal Education Unit Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar (SKB-SPNF), which supports out-of-school children, dropouts, and individuals with disabilities facing economic challenges. He expressed hope that the Climate Village model could be replicated across other areas in Magelang City.

As part of his visit, the Deputy Minister tried the Angkutan Jempol free student transport service, acknowledging its dual benefit for students and drivers.

Key Takeaways

• The Lestari category Climate Village in Jambon Gesikan, Cacaban, Magelang City, was praised for its cleanliness, greenery, and innovative waste management.
• Notable initiatives include maggot-based organic waste processing and laundry soap production from used cooking oil.
• The village’s success stems from community involvement, local government support, and structured RW/RT administration.
• The Deputy Minister highlighted the initiative as a replicable model for sustainable urban development.
• Additional community services, such as free student transport and nonformal education, were noted during the visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Climate Village?

A Climate Village is a community-based initiative focused on environmental sustainability through practices such as waste reduction, recycling, composting, and renewable resource utilization, often supported by local government and community participation.

Where is Jambon Gesikan Village located?

Jambon Gesikan Village is located in the Cacaban district of Magelang City, Central Java, Indonesia.

What specific innovations were observed in the Climate Village?

The village implements maggot farming for organic waste breakdown and converts used cooking oil into laundry soap, alongside recycling, waste banks, and composting systems.

Who visited the Climate Village on April 16, 2026?

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto visited the village, accompanied by Magelang Mayor Damar Prasetyono.