Aceh Environmental School: Regeneration of Environmental Cadres in Aceh

The Aceh Environmental School was established in 2019 specifically to expand the environmental movement amidst the ecological impacts of massive deforestation and the climate crisis that Aceh has faced, despite a low level of awareness among Aceh's younger generation. The SLA has created a group of young people who are driving environmental awareness in Aceh. Direct funding Dana Nusantara Strengthening further initiatives in 2025 for institutional capacity, including supporting facilities, curriculum improvement, SLA leadership regeneration, and expanding support for environmental issues and movements, particularly through networking with formal schools, religious groups, vulnerable groups, universities, local governments, and civil society organizations in Aceh. This will enable the environmental movement to transform into a collective social movement for ecological justice in Aceh.

In 2025, the Aceh Environmental School (SLA) successfully produced its seventh generation of environmental cadres in Aceh. Through support Dana Nusantara (Danus), the teaching and learning process at SLA ran smoothly, with a total of 15 (fifteen) meetings. The themes presented included: The management has also carried out a series of activities for the development of SLA, starting from improving supporting facilities, developing the curriculum to strengthening networks. All activities have succeeded in improving the quality of learning, thereby strengthening SLA's position as a vehicle for the regeneration of environmental cadres in Aceh. SLA has a number of supporting facilities for the smooth running of the teaching and learning process and implementing programs that have been prepared by the SLA management. The supporting facilities in question include the filling of the floor of the SLA secretariat, the provision of chairs, tables, whiteboard and other basic equipment. These improvements have had a direct impact, particularly on the more effective teaching and learning process. In addition to improving supporting facilities, SLA also received support for curriculum updates and development through several focus group discussions (FGDs) involving various parties. The resulting curriculum has been designed to address the various policy dynamics and environmental issues currently occurring, particularly in Aceh. The material presented to students is intended to be relevant to the current context and foster critical thinking, particularly on what young cadres can do to address environmental issues in Aceh.

Danus's support also had a positive impact on SLA's internal affairs by strengthening the institution. SLA administrators gained experience in financial management, organizational management, and cross-agency lobbying and collaboration. This increased managerial capacity further strengthened the SLA's ability to foster environmentally conscious leadership regeneration. SLA's initiatives have resulted in the birth of 39 new young cadres who care about environmental issues. Its existence is strategic as a platform for environmental regeneration in Aceh. Sustainable support is essential for SLA to expand its influence, impact, and foster change, enabling it to produce a larger generation of young people ready to maintain environmental sustainability in Aceh.