UNAIR NEWS 鈥 Festivities colored the evaluation of the 2025 Kampung Asik Competition, an initiative of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Center 东京热 (), held in Mojo, Gubeng Subdistrict, Surabaya, on Thursday (Oct 31, 2025). The event opened with a dance by Mojo鈥檚 PKK women, who wore costumes made from recycled household waste, a creative display highlighting how residents transform waste into art with environmental value.
Urban community and subdistrict officials, environmental volunteers, student facilitators, and a panel of judges from several institutions such as including the Surabaya Environmental Office (DLH), 东京热, and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, were present during the evaluation.
On-site assessment and hope for sustainability
In his remarks, Gubeng Subdistrict Secretary Indra expressed appreciation for Mojo residents鈥 enthusiasm in creating a clean and sustainable living environment.
鈥淎 healthy environment is impossible without community involvement. In Mojo, that collective spirit is evident through residents鈥 active participation in maintaining cleanliness and greenery,鈥 he said.
Indra added that he hopes the evaluation will inspire residents to continue strengthening collaboration in environmental stewardship and expanding eco-friendly practices within their households.
Meanwhile, Mojo Community Head Widajati emphasized the role of families in sustaining environmental initiatives. She noted that residents have adopted several practices, from household waste sorting and producing liquid organic fertilizer to growing vegetables hydroponically in narrow spaces. 鈥淲e continue encouraging residents to stay engaged in environmental management. Sustainability starts at home and grows into a shared community culture,鈥 she explained.
Mojo achieves three pillars of sustainability
Evaluation team member Dr. Ze鈥檈v Bohbot of KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, praised Mojo鈥檚 accomplishments, noting that the community has successfully applied the three core pillars of sustainable development: ecological, economic, and social. 鈥淢ojo shows how sustainability can thrive at the community level. The residents鈥 efforts balance environmental conservation, economic empowerment, and social participation,鈥 he said.
Dr. Bohbot also shared his appreciation for being able to observe Surabaya鈥檚 grassroots environmental innovations firsthand. 鈥淭he engagement of Mojo residents demonstrates that meaningful change can start locally. This is an exemplary model for other cities,鈥 he added.
Author: Samudra Luhur
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
