Nyala Inklusi: Women and Vulnerable Groups at the Frontlines of the Energy Transition is an anthology that brings together 22 selected essays on the experiences of women, youth, persons with disabilities, and local communities as they navigate and shape the energy transition across various regions of Indonesia. This publication emerged from a short essay competition that received more than 160 submissions from Aceh to Papua, which were then curated into a collection that places human-centered perspectives at the heart of the energy transition discourse.
Through grassroots stories, this book demonstrates that the energy transition cannot be understood merely as a shift in technology, infrastructure, or energy sources. Instead, it is portrayed as a matter of social justice, closely linked to meaningful participation, the distribution of benefits and risks, and the recognition of local knowledge that has often been overlooked in policymaking.
The diverse contributions in this anthology show that women and vulnerable groups are not merely recipients of impact or objects of programs, but key actors in sustaining their communities. From community-based energy initiatives rooted in mutual cooperation, to the management of simple technologies, to resistance against exclusive development models, this publication underscores the importance of community leadership in realizing an inclusive and just energy transition.
Published by PWYP Indonesia as part of the WE for JET project, Nyala Inklusi is expected to spark broader discussions on the future of Indonesia’s energy system—one that leaves no one behind. This publication invites readers to recognize that the path toward clean energy must be built alongside those who have long been on the front lines, yet whose voices are too often unheard.
