BaleBengong, Indonesia

About the organisation

BaleBengong is a Bali based citizen journalism media. For more than a decade, this non-profit media is using their website and social media to convey alternative voices from the grass root among the glamour of the Island of the God.

Not merely provide spaces for citizen and vulnerable communities BaleBengong also giving regular training for local communities so they can use Internet to share their issue. Managed by local communities, BaleBengong proves that independent media with the hyper-local issues is very possible.

The people behind it

Sloka Institute is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Bali, Indonesia focusing on media, journalism, and information management. Since 2007, Sloka Institute, which is managed by journalists and activists, conducts trainings and does advocacy in order to close the digital gap between the poor and the rich and also the well-educated and the less-educated people on the island Bali. Sloka Institute is the organisation behind Balebengong

Luh De Suriyani is a bali based freelance journalist and one of the people helping run Sloka Institute. Luh De is regularly contributing to The Jakarta Post and Mongabay Indonesia, focusing on environment, social issues, and gender issues.

Latest updates

Jul 3, 2023 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Karena rute @melalikedesa belum banyak di 3 kabupaten ini. Ayo daftarkan desamu. Syaratnya mudah: cukup ada satu orang kontak lokal, email atau DM kami....

Dec 24, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Tiga ide terbaik di #histeriapewartawarga memegang peta titik2 lokasi #kelasjurnalismewarga di Bali (karena ada 2 titik di luar Bali). Menurut juri...

Oct 10, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Menuju perbatasan Karangasem-Buleleng akhir pekan ini. Memenuhi permintaan ketua karang taruna dan perbekel yang membuat nama desa gersang ini semerbak...

Oct 7, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Habis melali, yo rebut hadiahnya. #melalibali #melalibalebengong #melalikedesa #citizenvoices #spendedirekt #archieve #turdibali #jalanjalanbali

Oct 4, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Siapa yang tau Banjar Pekarangan, Desa Ngis, Karangasem? #melalikedesa adalah menjelajah alam, orang, dan kebiasaan yang hilang. Lebih istimewa lagi rutenya...

Sep 28, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Apakah benar pariwisata Bali itu berbasis pertanian? Jika iya, apa dampaknya untuk petani? #supportsmallfarmers #jalanjalanbali #melalibali #melalikedesa...

Sep 24, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Met hari tani, timpal generasi muda banjar Bukit Sari, Sumberklampok yang sedang merayakan. Izin mengutip surat pada kawan oleh @tukang_jakan hari ini:...

Sep 23, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Ohyes, akhirnya melali ada magenjekan di Karangasem. Lihatlah rute yang memanjakan jiwamu. 1. Pengerajin tikar pandan (kita akan mengenal bahan baku dan...

Sep 21, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Sayur kacang komak bumbu rajang. Tak sekadar kuliner. Ini adalah perjalanan kacang komak dari warga Bali yang harus transmigrasi ke TimTim (sekarang Timor...

Jun 14, 2022 · Facebook BaleBengong hat gepostet:

Kolaborasi alumni Kelas Jurnalisme Warga (KJW) Desa Ban. Masih ada blank spot di Bali, salah satunya desa ini. Padahal beberapa kali terdampak bencana,...

Projects

Running projects (4)

Running

Support Local Farmers, Buy Their Products!

Support local farmers to sell their sustainable products to responsible consumers using online marketing platform in order to improve their livelihood.

1. Connecting small farmers in the rural area with consumers in urban areas using online marketing platforms. 2. Local small farmers can sell their product that been produced using sustainable agriculture to responsible consumer in the urban areas. 3. Local farmers can get a better price and sustainable market for their products, so they can improve their livelihood

More about the project

Target group

Local farmers in Bali who practice sustainable agriculture

Why we do it

Despite the fact that most of people in Indonesia are working as farmer, the farmers itself still facing a lot of challenge in their livelihood, including to sell their products to the consumers in the urban area. On the other hand, there is a rising market of sustainable agriculture products among the concerned middle class who live in urban areas, including in Bali. We see this as an opportunity to bridge those both sides.

The project will bridging the gap between the good product that are produced using sustainable agriculture by local farmers and the responsible consumers who are difficult to get the good product in reasonable price. In addition of selling the product, the project also will producing story about the products and the producers, so the consumers will understand more about the value of the product, not the product itself.

The story of the product and producers will be published using online marketing platforms, such as website, marketplace, and social media accounts.

Project activities

1. Providing better post-harvesting process for the products of the local farmers such as in storing and packaging in order to improve the quality
2. Selling the product through online marketing platforms including social media accounts and market place
3. Producing promotion material about the product of the local farmers including story, picture, video, and infogrpahic

Total budget (earlier figure): 750,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 626 CHF

Beneficiaries: 50 planned

Running

Citizen Journalism Training for Rural Youth

Series of citizen journalism training for young people in rural area of Bali so they can share their local community using new media.

1. Youth communities in rural areas have more knowledge and skill of citizen journalism, so they can identify between right news and fake news 2. Youth communities in rural areas have more information such as their potency and strength, as well any public issues in their community 3. Youth communities in rural are could express and convey their message using citizen journalism media despite dominance of mainstream and profit oriented media.

More about the project

Target group

Youth communities in rural areas of Bali

Why we do it

The rise of online media in Indonesia has not been followed by massive media literacy for citizens, especially in rural areas and young people. As a result, it is easier for residents to be consumed by fake news and hoax. In addition, information in the mass media is also dominated by information on urban and upper middle class, while on the other hand, the middle and lower class in rural areas also have a lot of interesting information.

This Citizen Journalism Training will provide citizen journalism training to young people in rural Bali so that they have knowledge about citizen journalism and skills in producing it. The training will be conducted at least five times in five different districts in Bali during the year.

As a follow-up to last year's acclivities, this year's program will also be carried out by involving previous training alumni so that they produce information about their respective villages which will be published on BaleBengong media, both on websites and social media accounts. The alumni will also create programs to encourage changes in their villages such as waste management and reforestation.

Project activities

1. Citizen journalism training in 4-5 villages in Bali
2. Joint coverage or group field visit for citizen reporter in rural area in Bali
3. Publish and share the stories from grass root communities in Bali

Total budget (earlier figure): 974,999,961 IDR · documented spend: 1,961 CHF

Beneficiaries: 60 planned

Running

Supporting Health Worker to Tackle COVID-19

Provide personal protection equipment for the health workers who work to tackle COVID-19 mainly in remote area in Indonesia

1. Providing personal protective equipment for the health worker in Indonesia, mostly in remote areas,
2. Protecting health workers who work to tackle COVID-19

More about the project

Target group

Health workers in Indonesia, mainly in remote areas, who work to tackle COVID-19 pandemic

Why we do it

The number of COVID-19 in Indonesia is increasing since the first case was founded in the beginning of March 2020. Per May 8th, 2020, there are 13,112 cases in Indonesia with more than 900 dead cases. It spreads to the entire country without single province left.

While the COVID-19 is increasing, the challenges is rising. With the increased of the patient, there more and more need for the personal protection equipment among the health worker as a frontline in the tackling of the COVID-19. They are facing shortage of the PPE, mainly in the remote area outside Java and Bali, that put them on more risky and vulnerable of COVID-19 transmission.

Since March, BaleBengong is supporting a local initiative by the health workers and young people in Bali to mobilize support for the health workers in Bali and beyond. We collect fund to buy PPE for health workers such as face shield, surgical mask, cover eyeglass, etc and distribute them mainly to public health center, not just in Bali but also Sulawesi and Borneo.

Project activities

1. Mobilizing public fund support for the health workers who work to tackle COVID-19

2. Collecting support to provide the personal protective equipment for health workers

3. Distributing personal protective equipment for health for health workers

Total budget (earlier figure): 800,000,000 IDR

Beneficiaries: 100 planned

Running

Tackling hoaxes and misinformation

The project will conduct trainings in citizen journalism to tackle the misinformation and hoaxes among the youth.

1. Rural communities in Bali are more aware of citizen journalism and practice their skills when consulting the media 2. Young people in rural areas are more aware of what accurate information is and can identify it in the tsunami of information in the Internet 3. Rural communities in Bali can convey their message about public issues through the Internet

More about the project

Target group

Youth communities in the rural areas of Bali

Why we do it

Despite the high number of Internet users in Indonesia, there is still a digital divide between the rich and the poor as well as between the educated and less-educated people in Bali. Trainings in digital literacy and citizen journalism reporting can help to close that gap and will rural communities to better debunk hoaxes and misinformation.

To tackle that challenge, BaleBengong conducts regular citizen journalism training and digital literacy for rural communities in Bali. In addition to train the rural communities how to make a citizen journalism report, the training also share knowledge and skill about digital literacy to tackle hoaxes and misinformation.

Project activities

1. Citizen journalism training
2. Digital literacy training
3. Provide the citizen journalism channels such as website and social media

Total budget (earlier figure): 900,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 2,737 CHF

Beneficiaries: 75 reached · 60 planned

Planned projects (10)

Planned

Melali Ibukota 2025

Melali to city is an improvement project from Melali ke Desa.

From this program, BaleBengong can also get additional content from the grassroots by involved citizen journalists document the trip. A number of impacts that will arise from this program are: - BaleBengong gets content and income for financing operational - Society managers can share the problems and potential of their city of regency - The residents or society can interact with visitors and absorb food and craft products in the village. - Melali to City of Regencies participants gain valuable experience doing travel that is non-exploitative and has a direct impact. - Participants can learn history of the city and gain new perspective about city of regency in Bali

More about the project

Target group

All of local people and 5 cities throught Melali ke Ibukota

Why we do it

City of regencies have unique history that can be learn and explored. They also have a immersive landscape which have different meaning in every design. Beside, the city also have different craft and food that already been there for ages. The participants can learn a new culture and get a different insight within this tour. Through this program, residents can show the strengths and challenges of they've been facing.

Project activities

1. develop trips to 5 city of regencies
2. increasing the capacity of local guides who become collaborators
3. involving the residents and community within the city of regions

· documented spend: 763 CHF

Beneficiaries: 150 planned

Planned

Melali ke Desa Tour 2025

Melali is packaged through unique and original tours. In 2025, we try a new route to Beraban, Bengkel, and Nyidtah village located in Tabanan

From this program, BaleBengong can also get additional content from the grassroots by involved citizen journalists document the trip. A number of impacts that will arise from this program are: - BaleBengong gets content and income for financing operational - Village reporters get additional income from documentation collaboration - Village managers can share the problems and potential of their village - Village residents can interact with visitors and absorb food and craft products in the village. - Melali to Village participants gain valuable experience doing travel that is non-exploitative and has a direct impact.

More about the project

Target group

All of local farmers and 10 villages throught Melali ke Desa Tour

Why we do it

Villages are the backbone of food availability and culture that is often only used as tourism jargon. With programs through this, residents can show the strengths and challenges of their village directly to visitors. Instead, visitors can learn and contribute to the community or village movement during or after Melali.

Project activities

1. develop trips to 10 villages
2. increasing the capacity of local guides who become collaborators through the villages
3. managing information from villages into introductory content through villages

Beneficiaries: 300 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Training for Rural Youth 2025

This is an annual event from BaleBengong to appreciate citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, including marginalized groups

More about the project

Target group

Youth communities in rural areas of Bali

Why we do it

Project activities

1. Citizen journalism training in 4 villages in Bali
2. Joint coverage or group field visit for citizen reporter in rural area in Bali
3. Publish and share the stories from grass root communities in Bali

Total budget (earlier figure): 549,999,776 IDR

Beneficiaries: 900 reached · 50 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Award 2024

This is an annual event from BaleBengong to appreciate citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, including marginalized groups

AJW 2024 will focus on producing work based on solutions and data journalism with a citizen science approach. In general, this is a documentation movement with research by citizens on certain issues, accompanied by experts or practitioners. Selected AJW participants will conduct research (observation and live-in) on the problem topic, then document the process in the form of writing and a short documentary film. To formulate findings and data, selected participants will collaborate fully with institutions/communities of experts/practitioners related to their topic. From this process it is hoped that citizen science-based works will be of high quality and have an impact.

More about the project

Target group

All citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, who work independently and are non-profit

Why we do it

1. Provide space for opinion and critical thinking for a better Bali
2. Improve the quality of critical documentation in content and visualization
3. Voice grassroots voices and their problems
4.Realizing collaboration of critical thinking from academics with citizen coverage
5. Encourage discussion and action to bring about future change.

Project activities

1. Following up on several in-depth coverage results in AJW 2023: Duang Dasa Island of the Gods: Imagining Bali in 20 Years.
2. Sharpen and offer solutions from simple research results accompanied by a team of experts/practitioners.
3. Increase the capacity of citizens to produce quality citizen journalism.
4. Document local/traditional knowledge
5. Expand the involvement of communities and research institutions in quality citizen journalism.

Total budget (earlier figure): 90,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 1,879 CHF

Beneficiaries: 500 reached · 1,000 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Training for Rural Youth 2024

This is an annual event from BaleBengong to appreciate citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, including marginalized groups

More about the project

Target group

Youth communities in rural areas of Bali

Why we do it

Project activities

Total budget (earlier figure): 315,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 2,665 CHF

Beneficiaries: 1,000 reached · 50 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Award 2023

This is an annual event from BaleBengong to appreciate citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, including marginalized groups

In 2023 BaleBengong agreed to take the theme “Duang (D)asa Pulau Dewata: Imagine Balin in 20 years later" Imagining the future is the easiest way to assess what life we want to inherit to our children and grandchildren. One of the terms that is still attached to Balinese people is "koh omong" meaning lazy to talk or lazy to criticize. Not because they don't want to talk or have opinions, but it is difficult to express them in front of the public or directly to public agencies. So there is a term "pakrimik" or talk in the behind in small group only or the scope of association is limited. After noting several issues, BaleBengong formulated the big theme of AJW 2023 with Duang (D)asa Pulau Dewata: Imagine Bali in 20 Years later. This large theme is then divided into six subthemes, namely: 1. The future of agriculture and a healthy environment in Bali 2. Cultural tourism or culture for tourism? 3. Optimization of private vehicles or public transportation? 4. Who is Balinese and what is voiced? 5. How long is the availability and access to clean water? 6. Future jobs in Bali and competition with expatriates (technology, creative economy, etc.)

More about the project

Target group

All citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, who work independently and are non-profit

Why we do it

Project activities

Road to AJW was conducted with an audience for potential collaborators and a public webinar related to six sub-themes. This competition is divided into three categories, namely articles and videos. The award was given during the awarding night which was filled with discussion activities, art performances, educational installations, and the launch of a collection of books written by Bale Bengong residents with the title: Different Voices from the Island of the Gods.

Total budget (earlier figure): 40,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 626 CHF

Beneficiaries: 1,700 reached · 1,000 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Training for Rural Youth 2023

This is an annual event from BaleBengong to appreciate citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, including marginalized groups

More about the project

Target group

Youth communities in rural areas of Bali

Why we do it

Project activities

Total budget (earlier figure): 469,700,000 IDR · documented spend: 3,083 CHF

Beneficiaries: 100 reached · 60 planned

Planned

Supporting Small Farmers 2022 (BaleLaku)

BaleLaku, which has been developed since November 2019, sells various products from Balinese farmers.

Purpose: 1. Promoting quality local food from villages that are partners of the Citizen Journalism Class 2. Creating a product showcase, providing added value for products from story telling, product knowledge, farmer profiles, and other information. 3. Assisting farmers in improving the quality of information and packaging, as well as bringing food and environmental security issues closer together.

More about the project

Target group

Young farmers and consumers to be educated about local food that is more environmentally friendly

Why we do it

Because young people do not have much knowledge about local food ingredients. Farmers also find it difficult to access the market because they are not familiar with promoting online.

Project activities

In early 2022, a mini museum, a kitchen equipped with information on processing coconut sap into sugar was inaugurated. This series of preparations and arrangements has been carried out since December 2021. The schedule has been postponed several times due to adjusting to regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, at the inauguration, we only invited representatives of the Besan Village Citizen Journalism Class alumni, the head of the hamlet, several representatives of farmers, and the local community.

We have completed the kitchen with information and photo essays related to the process of making sugar made from coconut sap. Small discussions with farmers and residents also took place at that time. BaleBengong facilitated this activity by channeling support funds from SpendeDirekt for planning, providing information sources, to consumption during the inauguration activities.

Currently, there are a total of 9 products that we assist and market, including:
• Umawali red and black rice, Tabanan Regency,
• Nyutebel coconut oil, Karangasem Regency,
• Bali Cashews, Karangasem Regency,
• Kintamani arabica specialty coffee, Bangli Regency,
• Arusaji Incense, produced by Rumah Berdaya-community of people with mental health
• Amed Sea Salt, Karangasem Regency,
• Kusamba Sea Salt, Klungkung Regency,
• Besan brown sugar, Klungkung Regency, and
• Liquid palm sugar, Les Village, Buleleng Regency.

Total budget (earlier figure): 408,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 859 CHF

Beneficiaries: 9 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Award 2022

This is an annual event from BaleBengong to appreciate citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, including marginalized groups

In 2022 BaleBengong agreed to take the theme Tri Hita Digital: Three Digital Rights to Realize Prosperity. This general theme is then divided into three sub-themes, namely: 1. Inclusive equitable distribution of Internet access (disability, village, marginalized groups, etc.) 2. The importance of guarantees for citizens to express themselves responsibly in the digital world 3. Adaptation of digital technology in life (environmental conservation, social, tradition, etc.) 1. Appreciate citizen journalists who have produced quality and consistent journalistic works through citizen media. 2. Bringing up inspirational stories and ups and downs using digital technology in everyday life, and 3. Offering new opportunities that can be realized through the use of digital technology.

More about the project

Target group

All citizen journalists and citizen media managers throughout Indonesia, who work independently and are non-profit

Why we do it

Although it still faces a number of challenges for equality and open access, digital technology has greatly helped humans adapt during the pandemic. A number of these examples can be seen, among others, online schools and lectures, meetings through digital media, and even rituals that used to require physical presence.
This digital technology revolution also provides an opportunity for everyone to be involved or even become the figure they want to be. The rise of content creators on social media, such as YouTube and Tiktok, shows that everyone can now be a story producer as well as an influence in cyberspace. For some others, digital technology has also made it easier to work, from farming with the internet of things (IoT) such as in Gobleg Village, Banjar District, Buleleng Regency, Bali to selling works of art using non-fungiable-token (NFT) which is carried out by a number of people. artist in Bali.
Digital technology brings so many opportunities, politically, economically, culturally, and other aspects of life. The COVID-19 pandemic only emphasizes that digital technology is able to bring changes to life for the better. He is not limited to things of an economic nature, such as work, but also other aspects, including education, civic participation, or cultural rituals.
On the other hand, digital threats and violence are also increasing. Therefore, AJW 2022 raises this digital right which includes three things, namely the right to access the Internet, the right to free expression, and the right to a sense of security in the digital world.

Project activities

Road to AJW was conducted with an audience for potential collaborators and a public webinar related to three sub-themes. This competition is divided into three categories, namely articles, videos, and illustrations. There is also competition for citizen media. The award was given during the awarding night which was filled with discussion activities, art performances, educational installations, and the launch of a collection of books written by Bale Bengong residents with the title: Different Voices from the Island of the Gods.

Total budget (earlier figure): 450,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 2,818 CHF

Beneficiaries: 17,000 reached · 1,000 planned

Planned

Citizen Journalism Training for Rural Youth 2022

Series of citizen journalism training for young people in rural area of Bali so they can share their local community using new media.

More about the project

Target group

Youth communities in rural areas of Bali

Why we do it

Project activities

Total budget (earlier figure): 847,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 3,255 CHF

Beneficiaries: 60 planned

Completed projects (3)

Completed

Citizen Journalism Award 2021

This year, the Citizen Journalism Award will support citizen reporters who share in-depth stories about local communities adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The goal of this project is to deliver the message to the public about how local communities in Bali are adapting after more than a year of COVID-19 pandemic. We want to encourage and spread optimism during this difficult situation using citizen journalism media from local perspectives.

More about the project

Target group

• Citizen reporters
• Student press activist

Why we do it

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from being over here in Bali, Indonesia. Due to the lack of tourists, the local communities have adapted their daily activities, including the change of professions from tourism to other sectors, such as agriculture. For this reason, we will make Citizen Journalism Award (CJA) 2021 still related to the adaptation of citizens in facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

CJA 2021 will be implemented in the form of in-depth coverage fellowship for 5 groups who will work for 2 months of coverage including the time of writing. The recipients are BaleBengong contributors, student press and school press, other citizen reporters, or mainstream media journalists. They must be in groups.

Project activities

• Providing fellowship for the citizen reporters who will cover the stories using in-depth reporting
• Conducting in-depth reporting training for the citizen reporters, so they can improve their capacity
• Assisting the citizen reporters during the project of reporting
• Publishing success stories about local communities in adapting new strategy as response to COVID-19 pandemic
• Giving award to the stories that produce in-depth report with high quality standard

Total budget (earlier figure): 600,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 1,566 CHF

Beneficiaries: 24 reached · 15 planned

Completed

Voices of COVID-19 Victims

The project will give a voice to the vulnerable communities affected by COVID-19 in Bali, Indonesia

- Documenting the impact of COVID-19 in Bali, particularly among the most vulnerable communities
- Conveying the message of COVID-19 victim in Bali to the broader audience using a video

More about the project

Target group

The vulnerable communities impacted by the climate change such as small farmers, villagers, fishermen and women.

Why we do it

Bali, Indonesia is suffered due to pandemic of COVID-19. As a place that relies to tourism industry, the island gets the worst impact of the pandemic, mainly for economic and livelihood of its citizen. The tourism areas are empty without any tourist. The livelihood of its people is collapse. Nevertheless, the story of this impact are mainly on the urban area of Bali even though the rural and poor are get more impact.

This project will therefore document the impact of the COVID-19 in videos and publish their story using citizen journalism media, but also how the adapt with the new normal during the pandemic to survive.

Project activities

- Interview citizen in rural area of Bali who get impact of the COVID-19

- Video and story production

- Distributing the video through the citizen journalism channels

Total budget (earlier figure): 560,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 332 CHF

Beneficiaries: 20 reached · 60 planned

Completed

Indonesian Citizen Journalism Award

Since 2016, the Indonesian Citizen Journalism Award aims at improving the quality of media and journalism in Indonesia, with a focus on the citizen journalism movement.

1. Giving awards to citizen journalist who have contributed in voicing their issues
2. Encourage citizen to improve of their work
3. Utilizing technology with self and community empowerment

More about the project

Target group

Citizen journalist in Indonesia generally and Bali specifically

Digital literacy organizations and communities in Indonesia

Why we do it

With more than 175 million Internet users, Indonesia is one of the biggest Internet and online media consumers in the world. According the local government, there are more than 40 Balinese online media organizations. However, they are quite uniform in content.

Similarly, the Indonesian citizen journalism is also flourishing. Based on the survey BaleBengong conducted in 2019, there are more than 40 Indonesian citizen journalism media. Typically, they are non-for-profit organizations managed by volunteers. From our point of view, it is important to appreciate them and their content in order to further improve the quality if their content.

Project activities

Content competition (text, photo, and video)

Fellowship

Award night

Talkshow and bazaar

Total budget (earlier figure): 1,350,000,000 IDR · documented spend: 626 CHF

Beneficiaries: 5,000 reached · 50 planned