Yayasan Penyu Indonesia (YPI), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats, recently held its 2025 Team Building program in Bali. With headquarters in Bali and active programs in Simeulue, Sipora, Nias, and Berau, YPI continues to expand its impact.
This year’s event served not only as an annual gathering for representatives from all program sites, but also as a platform to build capacity, sharpen skills, and strengthen coordination among staff. For five days, from August 11–14, participants came together to learn, share experiences, and strengthen our collective vision for conservation.
The program was officially attended by Rosek Nursahid, Chairman of YPI’s Board. Each division and field office presented evaluations and key achievements from 2024, creating an open space for reflection and exchange.
A number of training sessions enriched the event. Conservation practitioner I Wayan Veda Santiadji led a session on Conservation Leadership and introduced the Environmental and Social Safeguarding Framework (ESSF), a crucial tool to anticipate and mitigate environmental and social impacts of conservation programs. Participants were also encouraged to consider personal risks in their work—valuable insights to bring back to their sites.
Another highlight was the session with Pritha Aritonang, who guided participants through a deep dive into the Logical Framework and Monitoring and Evaluation. Through group exercises, participants practiced developing work plans grounded in clear, logical structures.
The team building took place at the CTC Marine Conservation Center, an inspiring venue that emphasizes hands-on learning and engaging approaches to marine education. Beyond training sessions, participants also visited the BPSPL Denpasar office and the Bionesia DNA Laboratory, broadening their perspective on science-based conservation approaches.
The program also included a visit to the Turtle Conservation and Education Center (TCEC), where YPI staff observed different methods of sea turtle protection and engaged in meaningful discussions with local managers. While recognizing differences in approach, YPI remains open to learning and understanding root challenges to design more effective, science-based awareness strategies.
Funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative, YPI’s 2025 Team Building program reflects the organization’s commitment to strengthening both capability and capacity in sea turtle conservation across Indonesia. More than just an internal meeting, it was a step forward in building unity, enhancing skills, and deepening the shared mission to protect sea turtles and the ecosystems they call home.
