Cendekia Updates
Shaping Sigi’s Future: A Nature-Based Economic Model for Sustainable and Inclusive Regional Development
27 May 2025
A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) took place at the Sigi Regency Tourism Office in Central Sulawesi on May 27, 2025. The event was part of a collaborative effort led by Cendekia Iklim Indonesia to develop a comprehensive conceptual framework for a sustainability-oriented economic model in Sigi Regency, one of the districts being the research locus. The discussion brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from Sigi Regency’s local government agencies, Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL), academics, business actors, and development partners.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to support the preparation of the 2025–2029 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) for Sigi Regency. The research and policy study conducted by Cendekia Iklim Indonesia aims to ensure the new development strategy reflects evidence-based planning rooted in local potential and climate resilience.
The half-day session began with opening remarks from the Regional Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Badan Perencanaan, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan Daerah) and the Environmental Office (Dinas Lingkungan Hidup) of Sigi Regency. It continued with a presentation by Cendekia Iklim Indonesia on the findings of their study, followed by a panel discussion with academics from Universitas Tadulako.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to support the preparation of the 2025–2029 Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) for Sigi Regency. The research and policy study conducted by Cendekia Iklim Indonesia aims to ensure the new development strategy reflects evidence-based planning rooted in local potential and climate resilience.
The half-day session began with opening remarks from the Regional Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency (Badan Perencanaan, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan Daerah) and the Environmental Office (Dinas Lingkungan Hidup) of Sigi Regency. It continued with a presentation by Cendekia Iklim Indonesia on the findings of their study, followed by a panel discussion with academics from Universitas Tadulako.
During the dissemination, Cendekia Iklim Indonesia presented its research on nature-based economic potential in Sigi Regency by highlighting opportunities for restoring degraded land in the short, medium, and long term. The team also delivered key recommendations centered around four critical pillars:
This strategy focuses on supporting the region by increasing local revenue, alleviating poverty, expanding job opportunities, reducing emissions, and restricting deforestation. Following the presentation, participants engaged in an in-depth discussion and provided input to enhance local development efforts. Topics included the challenges and opportunities of nature-based economic development, the need for policy reform and stronger regulatory frameworks, issues in local commodity supply chains and economic justice, the potential for multi-stakeholder collaboration and commodity zoning, field-level implementation challenges, and actionable steps to meet the vision and mission of Sigi Regency.
- Governance and Compliance;
- Financing Mechanisms;
- Sustainable Market Incentives (including pricing mechanisms); and
- Commodity Down streaming
This strategy focuses on supporting the region by increasing local revenue, alleviating poverty, expanding job opportunities, reducing emissions, and restricting deforestation. Following the presentation, participants engaged in an in-depth discussion and provided input to enhance local development efforts. Topics included the challenges and opportunities of nature-based economic development, the need for policy reform and stronger regulatory frameworks, issues in local commodity supply chains and economic justice, the potential for multi-stakeholder collaboration and commodity zoning, field-level implementation challenges, and actionable steps to meet the vision and mission of Sigi Regency.
At the close of the session, representatives from Sigi Regency’s local government agencies agreed to integrate the research findings and recommendations into the upcoming RPJMD 2025–2029. This action marks a concrete step toward adopting an evidence-based planning model grounded in sustainability and justice.
The event concluded with the signing of a joint commitment letter, signalling the local government and stakeholders’ shared dedication to building long-term, cross-sector collaboration in support of locally grounded, nature-based development.
The event concluded with the signing of a joint commitment letter, signalling the local government and stakeholders’ shared dedication to building long-term, cross-sector collaboration in support of locally grounded, nature-based development.
About the Initiative
As a research institution, Cendekia Iklim Indonesia brings together a network of experts from various disciplines in sustainability and climate. In partnership with Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL) and the Government of Sigi Regency, Cendekia Iklim Indonesia is working to design a new economic model tailored to the region’s unique landscape and vision. The model promotes environmental sustainability and economic equity by balancing development goals with positive ecological impacts.
The resulting study “Nature-Based Economic Model for a Resilient and Self-Reliant Sigi Regency” aims to offer practical guidance for the formulation of Sigi Regency’s 2025–2029 RPJMD. The study later became a key resource for creating a sustainable and independent future for the region.
As a research institution, Cendekia Iklim Indonesia brings together a network of experts from various disciplines in sustainability and climate. In partnership with Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL) and the Government of Sigi Regency, Cendekia Iklim Indonesia is working to design a new economic model tailored to the region’s unique landscape and vision. The model promotes environmental sustainability and economic equity by balancing development goals with positive ecological impacts.
The resulting study “Nature-Based Economic Model for a Resilient and Self-Reliant Sigi Regency” aims to offer practical guidance for the formulation of Sigi Regency’s 2025–2029 RPJMD. The study later became a key resource for creating a sustainable and independent future for the region.
