Women Lead the Way in Reviving the Brantas River

For years, the Brantas River has been both a lifeline and a quiet witness to its community’s struggles. Its waters are choked with plastic waste, its banks stripped bare by deforestation, and pollution casts a shadow over its future. Yet, amidst these challenges, something remarkable is happening.

Women in East Java are stepping into roles they may never have imagined—organizing, innovating, and collaborating to revive the river and protect its legacy. They’re not just cleaning a river; they’re reshaping what’s possible for their communities.

It is part of AKSI Brantas, a collaborative effort uniting Indonesian and Dutch organizations to protect and restore the river. By combining local knowledge with international expertise, the initiative has made significant progress in improving water quality, restoring ecosystems, and empowering grassroots women’s groups to take charge of the Brantas River Basin.

Explore the stories of these women’s groups and witness the quiet transformations they’ve initiated, along with the challenges they continue to face as they protect the Brantas for generations to come.

👉 Read the full report on how communities are driving sustainable change.

Key Achievements

Empowering Local Women: over 450 women have stepped into leadership roles, tackling issues such as waste reduction, river restoration, and creating sustainable livelihoods.

Restoring Vital Ecosystems: projects like the Green Belt Moringa Park have revitalized riverbanks, creating spaces where biodiversity can thrive while offering food, shade, and economic opportunities for the local communities that care for them.

Tackling Plastic Waste: community-led refill stores, targeted waste collection efforts, and awareness campaigns have significantly reduced waste in areas like Gresik. Newly enacted regulations on single-use plastics are further amplifying these gains.

Supporting Sustainable Livelihoods: women-led initiatives, such as producing moringa-based snacks and compost fertilizers, are providing families with new sources of income while promoting environmentally friendly practices.

Green Businesses and Community Action in Focus

AKSI Brantas has fostered a growing wave of community-driven green initiatives. Refill stores are helping families adopt more sustainable lifestyles by providing affordable alternatives to single-use plastics. Women in the region are also leading the development of innovative eco-friendly products, such as compost fertilizers and healthy snacks made from local ingredients like moringa. Additionally, eco-tourism programs are drawing attention to the region’s natural beauty while promoting sustainable practices.

👉 Download the Full Report

🌊 Get on Board!

Makara collaborates with sponsors, partners, and friends to support riverine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Interested in partnering with us? Feel free to reach out via email or Instagram—we’d love to hear from you! #ProtectOurRivers #TeamMakara