On July 23–24, 2025, Yayasan SHEEP Indonesia (YSI) held a Training and Dissemination on Protection and Safety Regulations. This activity is part of the organization’s program, integrated into the project “Building Sustainable Community Resilience to Reduce the Impacts of Disaster Risk and Climate Change through a Landscape-Based Approach” in Lombok and Palu.
In implementing its programs, accountability and transparency are core concerns for YSI. Therefore, anyone working with or involved in YSI’s activities—whether staff, volunteers, partners, or participants—must understand the protection and safety regulations. This ensures that all parties feel safe, comfortable, and protected. Preventive measures through ethical guidelines are crucial for everyone to know, along with clear steps to take if a case or indication of an ethical violation occurs, enabling all parties to respond and provide feedback. The activity also served as a platform to align understanding and disseminate these ethical regulations as part of YSI’s commitment to transparency and participatory spirit.
The first day took place at the Community Evacuation Center (Pusat Evakuasi Masyarakat / PEM) in Santong Mulia Village, North Lombok, attended by around 40 participants representing 14 partner villages. The event was warmly welcomed by the community. The dissemination not only explained the content of the regulations but also encouraged discussions and reflections on the relationships built during program implementation. Participants examined case examples of regulation violations, analyzed them, and discussed appropriate responses if such indications or cases arose in their surroundings. Many participants expressed that this dissemination was important, noting that YSI was the first to conduct such a session on protection and workplace safety, particularly emphasizing the safety of served participants.
One of the most engaging moments was the case analysis using pictures. The group discussions were highly interactive—when one group presented its analysis, others would add perspectives or even challenge the findings, leading to a deeper understanding. While some participants had solid knowledge of gender-based violence, child protection, and women’s safety, others still considered these topics “taboo” or “not important” to discuss collectively—making the dynamic even more compelling. These discussions and group presentations emphasized that everyone needs to be aware and know how to respond to any violation or suspected case.
The following day, dissemination efforts continued, this time involving 16 participants from 10 local civil society organizations (CSOs). Unlike with the community group, this session also became a forum for partners to share first-hand experiences in managing the risks of ethical violations in the field. Participants gained a deeper understanding of the ethical code’s components, which include: conflict of interest, abuse of position, safety (gender-based, sexual, and child-related violence and exploitation), fraud, and corruption. They were able to provide concrete examples from their own experience and committed to applying these principles within their own organizations as part of their accountability.
This session also emphasized the importance of understanding the local cultural context and how customary norms may align—or even conflict—with donor policies and standards. Discussions highlighted the need to create both physically and psychologically safe spaces at the community level, as well as the importance of educational approaches to prevent violence. “There must be a shared understanding of local customs and culture to avoid misunderstandings with the community. For example, during an assessment process, people may still offer refreshments to guests even when they are in a disaster situation. If the refreshments are declined, they may feel personally rejected,” one participant noted.
This series of activities served as a trigger for collective awareness of the importance of integrating tangible protection and safety principles into every program intervention. In this way, landscape-based programs are not only focused on physical and technical achievements but also prioritize a humane and sustainable approach.
