Welcoming 2026 with the Vision of Empowering
- January 14, 2026
by Muhammad Alzaki Tristi
MDPI started the fresh beginning of 2026 with internal Kick Off 2026. Going with the theme “Empowerment: Celebrating the Process, Embracing the Future”, the start marked as MDPI’s new beginning on its empowerment strategy. This includes supporting small-scale fishing communities by a reflective, sustainable, and inclusive approach within our eight working provinces.
Embracing the complexity of empowerment
Our Director Yasmine Simbolon elaborated this direction on her speech, stating that empowerment has never been an easy and predictable work. She invited all the staff to reflect on MDPI’s past works; on how we always moved amidst uncertainty, structural challenges, and complex social dynamics. And yet empowerment still found its way, becoming whole with the community in most beautiful form.
“Empowerment doesn’t make us invincible. Being empowered means having the capacity to rise, to choose, and to fight. In 2026, MDPI chooses to embrace the empowerment process with the mess, the challenges, and the lessons it may bring,” said Yasmine.
Celebrating the role of community’s company
For more than a decade, MDPI works side by side with small-scale fishers to empower their capacity on being resilient, by forging access to education and decision-making forums. This year we reinstate our role not as the community-savior, but rather a companion on their empowerment journey towards resilience.
The spirit of empowerment is driving our field staff to face the new year with optimism. Neorifal Muhama, MDPI’s latest North Maluku Site Coordinator, expressed his gratitude for being able to be a part of this opportunity.
“Being part of MDPI has taught me that change is not always rapid, but it is always meaningful,” Neorifal said. “I am grateful to grow alongside a community and an organisation that is willing to listen, learn, and evolve together.”
Resonating with Neorifal’s testimony, Fisheries Officer Roy Bakari from Maluku welcomes 2026 as a pivotal opportunity to empower the fishing community he assists through more effective technology.
“My vision is for fishers to become more empowered through technology. Not just as a tool, but as a means to strengthen their position. Especially in fisheries management and market access,” Bakari said. He highlighted his past experience on assisting the community utilizing “Perahu App”, which was a digital application improve data transparency and market reach.
Providing a safe space for everyone
From a community development perspective, MDPI’s Community Development Lead Nilam Ratnawati noted that field staff remain the vital part of MDPI’s empowerment efforts.
“Our field staff are the face of MDPI within the community. We have to continue to provide a safe space for fishers to learn, speak up, and find the courage to determine their own paths in life,” Nilam said, speaking from experience as a former field coordinator.
As part of its 2026 roadmap, MDPI is reinforcing its commitment to internal transparency and reflection. The organization views this internal foundation as essential for supporting a more equitable and sustainable transition for Indonesia’s small-scale fisheries.
Under the theme of “Berdaya” (Empowering), MDPI enters the new year with a focus on moving away from outdated practices to build a more resilient future alongside the communities it serves.