Finding Meaning in the Journey of Change
Pemaknaan is a reflective approach developed by Indonesia untuk Kemanusiaan (IKa) to understand and assess social change efforts in a more meaningful way. Unlike conventional evaluation models that rely on rigid numbers and indicators, Pemaknaan focuses on dialogue, shared learning, and strengthening the capacity for transformation within civil society organizations and social movements.
This approach emerged from IKa’s experience in supporting local organizations and communities that often face barriers to resources and political or social stigma. In many cases, standardized donor evaluation methods fail to capture the complexities of their struggles. Pemaknaan offers an alternative—a way to understand the process of change in a deeper and more contextualized manner.
The Pemaknaan process involves discussions between IKa’s local partners and Pemakna—learning facilitators from diverse backgrounds, including activists, academics, and social practitioners. These dialogues aim to explore challenges, strategies, and long-term visions for achieving sustainable social change. The core principles of Pemaknaan include solidarity, trust, recognition of subjectivity, and ethics of care.
Through Pemaknaan, partner organizations can reflect on their journey, strengthen their strategies, and find meaning in the challenges they face. This approach also encourages organizations to define success on their own terms, rather than being confined to donor expectations that may not align with their realities on the ground.
With Pemaknaan, IKa is committed to supporting stronger, more independent, and sustainable social movements, where success is measured not only by outcomes but also by the meaning created throughout the journey of transformation.