30 Regional Young Innovators Receive MUDA30 Award from Pijar Foundation

Jakarta, March 9, 2024 – Indonesia aims to become a developed nation by 2045 with an average economic growth of 7%. The participation of youth—who make up the majority of Indonesia's population—will drive development that is not only innovative but also inclusive. Recognizing the critical role of young people in nation-building, Pijar Foundation launched the Townhall Muda movement and presented the MUDA30 award to 30 outstanding young individuals from across Indonesia. These youth, recognized for their contributions in education, environment, and entrepreneurship, represent 30 cities and regencies throughout the country.

The awards were presented during the Townhall Muda Nusantara: MUDA30 Awarding Night, which also marked the official kickoff of the 2024 Townhall Muda national movement in over 30 locations across Indonesia.

Held at Thamrin Nine Ballroom on March 9, 2024, the Townhall Muda Nusantara: MUDA30 Awarding Night was supported by the Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo, represented by Special Advisor Hamdan Hamedan. Minister Dito expressed his support as follows:“Youth are the key to our nation’s future. The Townhall Muda movement and MUDA30 award are for young people who are not only brave enough to dream but also take real action and innovate from their respective cities, regencies, and villages. We continue to encourage sustainable collaboration between youth and government.”

Echoing the Ministry’s message, Cazadira F. Tamzil, Director of Public Policy at Pijar Foundation, emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative ecosystem between youth and the government to realize Indonesia 2045.“In the spirit of Indonesia’s gotong royong (mutual cooperation), the Townhall Muda movement is envisioned as an ecosystem for youth to connect and collaborate meaningfully with the government. There is no Indonesia 2045 without the voices and contributions of young people,” said Cazadira.

The Townhall Muda Nusantara: MUDA30 Awarding Night was also attended and supported by Presidential Special Staff on Social Affairs Angkie Yudistia, Acting Head of the National Institute of Public Administration (LAN RI) Muhammad Taufiq, and Mayor of Bogor Bima Arya Sugiarto. The event continued with the launch of the book "Teman Muda Nusantara", an anthology of inspiring stories from MUDA30 awardees in advancing regional development and documenting the journey of the Townhall Muda movement since its inception in late 2021.

The highlight of the event was the kickoff of the Townhall Muda 2024 movement, which will feature forums and real collaborative projects in 25 cities/regencies involving youth, government, and the private sector to tackle development challenges in education, environment, and entrepreneurship. The Townhall Muda movement and MUDA30 awards are expected to further promote youth aspirations and innovative actions as key pillars in Indonesia’s vision for 2045.

About Townhall Muda

Townhall Muda is an initiative by the Pijar Masa Depan Foundation (Pijar Foundation), a nonprofit organization in Indonesia focusing on two core themes: Future Talent and Future Planet. Pijar Foundation operates through three pillars: education, entrepreneurial innovation, and public policy. Townhall Muda is a collaborative national movement that connects two key elements of Indonesia’s future—youth and policymakers. It promotes dialogue and Public Community Partnerships, enabling tangible cooperation between youth communities and government institutions.