Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto has praised the “Lestari” category Climate Village in Jambon Gesikan Village, located in Cacaban, Magelang City, Central Java. During a visit on Thursday, the Deputy Minister described the area as clean, orderly, and green, noting the neat arrangement of medicinal and ornamental plants throughout residential areas and village corners.
Sustainable Innovations in Waste Management
The village has implemented a comprehensive approach to environmental management that includes the apply of waste banks, composting, and recycling. A key highlight of the visit was the review of organic waste management utilizing maggots and their processed products.
Sugiarto specifically lauded the community’s ability to produce laundry soap from used cooking oil. He described this as a “solid innovation,” noting that it allows oil waste to be effectively utilized for cleaning purposes.
The Role of Leadership and Community Culture
According to Sugiarto, the success of the climate village is rooted in a strong community culture and the active involvement of local government. He identified the mayor’s direct role in providing motivation, encouragement, and monitoring as a key factor in the village’s achievement.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted the importance of the administrative systems established by RT (neighborhood) and RW (community unit) administrators. He stated that the village serves as one of the best examples of sustainable and environmentally friendly residential area management.
Social Welfare and Community Support
Beyond environmental efforts, the visit included a greeting to students at the Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar (SKB-SPNF) Nonformal Education Unit. This center provides essential support for people with disabilities facing economic barriers, as well as dropouts and out-of-school children.
Sugiarto also utilized the Angkutan Jempol, a free transport service for students. He noted that the service provides dual benefits, supporting both the students who use it and the drivers who operate it.
Looking Forward
Given the success of the “Lestari” category village, Sugiarto expressed hope that this approach could serve as a replicable model for other areas across Magelang City. If adopted more widely, these comprehensive environmental management strategies may lead to increased sustainability across the city’s residential sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions
What specific environmental practices are used in the Jambon Gesikan Climate Village?
The village employs a comprehensive management system that includes recycling, waste banks, composting, the utilization of maggots for organic waste, and the production of laundry soap from used cooking oil.
What factors contributed to the success of the climate village in Cacaban?
The achievement was supported by a strong community culture, the active role of neighborhood (RT) and community unit (RW) administrators, and the direct involvement of the mayor in monitoring and providing motivation.
What social services did the Deputy Minister observe during his visit?
He visited the Sanggar Kegiatan Belajar (SKB-SPNF), which supports out-of-school children, dropouts, and people with disabilities facing economic barriers, and he tried the Angkutan Jempol free student transport service.
Do you believe that community-led innovations, like converting cooking oil to soap, are the most effective way to drive urban sustainability?
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