Youth Drive Energy Transition: Indonesia Launches New Cohort of I-ACT Peer Educators
- youthenergysea
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
Jakarta, Indonesia (15 November 2025) – Indonesia’s Peer Educators trained by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), together with Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA), organised an in-person workshop for the Italy–IRENA Action for Climate Toolkit (I-ACT), a capacity-building programme for young climate and energy leaders. The workshop was held on 15 November 2025 at Pertamina University, Indonesia, in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in Jakarta and the Chemistry Department of Pertamina University.
The I-ACT initiative equips young people with the knowledge and tools required to lead peer-education activities on climate and energy. The module was developed by IRENA and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), in collaboration with knowledge partners including the SDG7 Youth Constituency and UNICEF. As part of this “training of trainers” initiative, Peer Educators are conducting workshops in their own community starting from Jakarta, Indonesia to deepen young people’s understanding of the energy–climate nexus and to empower them to take meaningful action.
The workshop opened with virtual remarks from Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, who highlighted the importance of building young people’s capacity in climate and energy issues. Amira Bilqis, Managing Director of Y4E-SEA and the first Indonesian peer educator who organised the inaugural I-ACT event in 2023, emphasised the need to strengthen youth leadership pipelines to accelerate climate and energy action in Indonesia.
Opening the session in person, H.E. Roberto Colaminè, Ambassador of Italy to Indonesia, expressed appreciation for the continued progress of I-ACT in Indonesia, stressed the importance of both policies and technological advances, and reaffirmed Italy’s support in Indonesia, including the pledge to mobilize €250 million Euros through the Just Energy Transition Partnership. Prof. Ir. Eddy Ariyono Subroto, Ph.D, Dean of the Faculty of Exploration and Production Technology and the Faculty of Science and Computer Science at Pertamina University, also delivered opening comments highlighting Pertamina University’s commitment to support the energy sector by producing the best talents for the future and mentioned the Chemistry Department’s program that support the SDGs.
The workshop was facilitated by four Indonesian Peer Educators, each delivering different modules of the I-ACT curriculum. Hizkia Indri Posumah (Youth for Energy Southeast Asia) led Module 1 – Dispelling Common Myths and Module 2 – Climate and Energy Trends, providing participants with foundational knowledge and addressing common misconceptions about renewable energy. Syaikha Nabila Azzahra (Society of Renewable Energy – SRE) followed with Module 3 – Renewable Energy for Climate Action and Module 6 – Youth Engagement, highlighting practical solutions and pathways for youth participation. Diah Retno Yuniarni (Youth Energy Council, YeC, Indonesia) delivered Module 4 – Energy for Development, emphasising the role of energy systems in national progress. The final session was delivered by Mughnika Alimmaristya Muazzam, IRENA Youth Forum 2024 Alumna, who presented Module 5 – Just and Inclusive Transitions, focusing on equity and the social dimensions of the energy transition.
Across all six modules, participants engaged in interactive activities, including a dynamic role-play on budget negotiation to strengthen strategic thinking and negotiation skills. The programme engaged more than 60 attendees throughout the day, including students and young professionals from various fields.
Hizkia Indri Posumah, one of the Peer Educators leading the first session, reflected on the importance of youth leadership in climate action. “A key takeaway from this session is recognising just how vital young people are in driving real change,” he shared. “In the climate movement, courage matters. Courage to speak up, to use our voices, and to make ourselves heard. That courage grows when young people train their communication skills and allow themselves the confidence to engage. Annisa expressed his/her enthusiasm by “Being in Saturday's I-ACT, I reflected back to when I was a student in University trying to break into the environmental career by learning and networking. If I-ACT were to be conducted at that time, I think my journey in the environmental career would have been easier. The materials are comprehensive, up to date, and easy to digest for beginners. Not to mention, the forum gathered people from various backgrounds, which is a big plus for students to connect. I-ACT gives solid fundamentals for us to explore the environmental and energy sector further”. Meanwhile, Prof. Roberto Carniel, Ph.D., scientific attaché of the Italian Embassy, commented, “I am very pleased to actively support once again an I-ACT workshop in Jakarta and to witness the strong engagement of so many young participants. I-ACT, dedicated to the memory of the late science journalist Piero Angela, is an essential platform for strengthening the awareness of new generations on climate and energy issues. At our Embassy, UNI-ITALIA can also help Indonesian students to continue their energy and climate-related studies at Italian universities”.
This dynamic and insightful workshop reaffirmed the essential role of youth in driving the energy transition. Participants who completed the full programme are entitled to be peer educators, joining Indonesia’s expanding network of youth climate and energy trainers. Building on Y4E-SEA’s longstanding experience supporting similar workshops in Singapore and Vietnam, the newly trained Indonesian peer educators will receive continued guidance to deliver workshops within their own communities in a virtuous pyramid dissemination model. It is hoped that even more young people will step forward to champion climate action, raise awareness, and inspire their peers toward a more sustainable future.
About Y4E-SEA
Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA) is a youth-led network committed to accelerating the clean energy transition in the region. Through advocacy, education, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, Y4E-SEA empowers young people to become active leaders in advancing sustainable and inclusive energy futures.