The Rural Youth Climate Action Movement for Net Zero Farming in Indonesia hosted a Photo Contest from February to April 2025, themed Harapan Iklim: Dunia Melalui Mata Pemuda (Climate Hope: The World Through Youth’s Eyes), aiming to raise climate change awareness among young Indonesians.

The contest targeted youth aged 35 and under, with categories for participants from the western (Sumatra and Java) and eastern (Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Papua) regions. A total of 185 photos were submitted, with 68.11% from the west and 31.89% from the east. Three professional photographers (1 female, 2 males) judged the submissions, and additional categories like “Most Favorite” and “Most Inspirational” were introduced to boost participation.

Aga Ardi Nugraha won from the west with an image of children planting trees, symbolizing hope for the future. From the east, Yuliantina’s winning photo captured youth farmers nurturing plants, underscoring the importance of youth-driven environmental action.

The RYCAM team recognized the need for ongoing offline engagement with rural youth communities, which led them to visit communities and encourage involvement in the contest.

This contest highlighted the creativity and commitment of Indonesia’s youth in shaping a sustainable future. The RYCAM team is eager to see even greater youth involvement in future climate initiatives.