Democracy Learning House: Siguntu Palopo Youth Build a Village

Siguntu Village is located in the mountainous region of Palopo City, directly adjacent to a protected forest, where most of the residents depend on farming for their livelihood. Currently, the community faces land constraints due to forestry claims that designate part of the area as protected forest. Meanwhile, the village also has ecotourism potential and forest resources that can be managed sustainably. However, the community has not yet been able to optimally manage their land.

In an effort to improve the community's collective economy and raise public awareness of the importance of understanding democracy, which will impact the development of policies that support the interests of the Siguntu Village community, the Siguntu Youth Group took the initiative to build a 15x15 meter democracy learning house as an educational center and a new collective economic center for the community through the creation of a cafe unit.

After the construction of the learning house, the Siguntu youth succeeded in carrying out several activities involving 115 people for a series of business management training activities, critical education to strengthen democratic values, community decision-making meetings or forums and implementation of activities. public speaking workshopAs a result, the residents of Siguntu Village have gained increased understanding and new skills in managing the potential in their area to generate income through cafes.

Furthermore, the residents of Siguntu Village have developed a new awareness of the importance of the learning house as a collective interaction space for learning together, engaging in discussions, and developing awareness of the community's vital role in village development. This initiative has resulted in increased community cohesion and elevated the village's status as a center of economic, tourism, and environmental knowledge.