Climate change and the water crisis are increasingly being felt by communities across Indonesia. To strengthen community capacity in addressing these challenges, Rumah Energi, in collaboration with Microsoft, organized a Community-Based Water Conservation Training in Cicau Village, Bekasi Regency, and Wanajaya Village, Karawang Regency. The training engaged village government representatives, community volunteers, and local residents to deepen their understanding of the relationship between climate change, the hydrological cycle, and water-related challenges affecting their communities.

Through participatory learning sessions, participants explored the water cycle—from evaporation, cloud formation, and rainfall to surface runoff and groundwater recharge. Community facilitators from Wanakerta and Pasirranji Villages, who had previously completed a Training of Trainers (ToT) program, helped lead discussions and share their experiences. Participants were also able to connect the training materials with real-life conditions they have observed, including shifting seasonal patterns, rising temperatures, and decreasing water availability during the dry season.

During group discussions, participants identified various impacts of the water crisis on daily life, ranging from increasing costs of accessing clean water to declining water quality during the rainy season. One of the key outcomes of the training was a growing awareness that water is an increasingly vulnerable resource that must be protected collectively.

“I am very grateful to Rumah Energi. Through this activity, I gained a deeper understanding of the issues and conditions in our community, especially those related to water. This training has been very beneficial, and I hope the program will continue successfully in the future,” said Mr. Karta, a community representative.

The training also strengthened the role of community volunteers as local educators and change agents. Ms. Itoh M, a representative of the community health volunteers (Posyandu cadres), shared that the materials were easy to understand and highly relevant to community needs.

“Activities like this should continue so that more residents can gain knowledge, and we as volunteers can help share this information with the wider community,” she said.

Similar support was expressed by the village government. Mr. Hendar, the Village Secretary, reaffirmed the village administration’s commitment to supporting initiatives that benefit local residents. “We warmly welcome this training and the programs that Rumah Energi will implement. If there are challenges in the field, the village government is ready to help address them,” he stated.

This training marks an important first step toward building communities that are more resilient to climate change and water-related challenges. In line with Rumah Energi’s vision of Empowered Indonesia (Indonesia Berdaya), communities are not merely beneficiaries but active drivers of change and solution-building. Through enhanced knowledge, practical skills, and collaboration among residents, community volunteers, village governments, and various stakeholders, water conservation efforts can grow into a collective movement that strengthens environmental resilience and improves community well-being for the long term.

Written by: Luthfi Firmansyah

Edited by: Fauzan Ramadhan