GBPN’s unique approach to local policy implementation has received international recognition as a best practice approach. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) referenced GBPN’s Indonesia-based coalition of experts – known as HIDUP – as a “noteworthy initiative”. UNOPS included HIDUP in public tender documentation, recognising it as a positive example of how to work effectively in Southeast Asia. 

HIDUP Convenor and GBPN Technical and Special Project Lead in Indonesia, Matthieu Caille, said the initiative was intended to provide an engagement platform for stakeholders and experts. 

“It is intended to be a ‘safe space’ for stakeholders and experts who are coming together to address specific questions and blockages in developing effective policy reform toward decarbonisation of the built environment,” he said. 

“HIDUP is a Bahasa Indonesia word meaning ‘Alive’ and it is all about connecting local and global experts, and bridging unmet expertise on policy reform strategies, evidence base and education needs. 

“HIDUP is a multilateral stakeholder engagement platform developed through a bottom-up approach. It helps us identify upcoming policy reform, associated studies, and capacity building or training and education program opportunities at national and sub-national level.”

Mr Caille said the strength of HIDUP was twofold. 

“Firstly, this approach allows us to clearly understand local needs and challenges at pilot jurisdiction level. And secondly, we can combine these insights to derive evidence-based strategies from GBPN’s global resources and insights gained through over a decade of work in this space in more than 22 countries, adapted locally,” he said. 

“By engaging the knowledge and insights of local experts, we can ensure that global learnings are fit-for-purpose within the local context in a nuanced way to make sure policies are both practical and implementable and achieve the greatest impact.”

HIDUP activity in 2022

In 2022, HIDUP will focus on supporting GBPN’s ongoing national and sub-national policy reform projects such as in Samarinda, Bali and the New Capital City Nusantara. It also aims to reduce energy demand and emission from the residential sector. HIDUP acts as an advisory group to the GBPN Policy Hub, a GBPN initiative that aims to provide a venue for Indonesian Government Ministries with an interest in sustainable building and energy policies to engage with GBPN and its projects. 

An equivalent to the HIDUP model has been successfully rolled out in India under the name JINDA, which means ‘Alive’ in Hindi. JINDA is composed of a state-based alliance of five local experts who bring rich experience across a diverse range of focus areas. 

GBPN’s Senior Advisor in India, Gautam Nagar, said the project was a pivotal initiative that would provide important learnings for the whole country. See more on JINDA here.