Sustainable solutions for climate-resilient communities in Gunung Kidul

The Gunung Kidul Regency is located in the region of Yogyakarta on the island of Java. With around 34,000 inhabitants, the region is particularly affected by poverty and increasing water scarcity. The karst-dominated landscape makes rainwater storage difficult, resulting in limited groundwater availability during dry periods. Many local residents depend on agriculture and livestock farming, which makes them especially vulnerable in the face of growing climate risks. In addition, the disposal of untreated wastewater poses an increasing challenge and threatens the quality of groundwater and surface water, with far-reaching consequences for public health.

From 2025 to 2028, the Wilo-Foundation supports the implementation of a project by Habitat for Humanity Deutschland e.V., which is being carried out in four villages of the Nglipar sub-district—Pengkol, Pilangrejo, Katongan, and Nglipar—in the Gunung Kidul Regency. The project aims to sustainably improve the livelihoods of more than 4,500 people, provide them with more reliable access to clean water, and strengthen communities in sustainable wastewater management practices.

The project was designed through a participatory process involving a wide range of local stakeholders, including government authorities, community members, and other relevant actors in the Nglipar sub-district, to ensure that it is aligned with local needs and existing conditions.

The project improves water and sanitation services in Gunung Kidul through the rehabilitation and more efficient use of community-managed water systems as well as the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities at schools. Around 720 households and approximately 1,000 children benefit from these measures. In addition, simple and sustainable greywater treatment solutions are introduced, and households are trained in the resource-efficient reuse of water.