Yogyakarta – Eco Finance Literacy (EFL) UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (KKBP), held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the theme "Sustainable Circular Economy". The event featured several competent speakers, including Halimahtusya'diyah, Analyst at the Capital Market Regulation and Development Department of the Financial Services Authority (OJK), Dinik Fitri Rahajeng Pangestuti, SE., M.Ak., Advisor to Eco Finance Literacy UIN Sunan Kalijaga, and Aris W. Setiawan, Corporate Social Responsibility Department Head of Bank Syariah Indonesia. The FGD was moderated by Adhitya Ginanjar, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst.
The event commenced with remarks from Prof. Dr. Misnen Ardiansyah, S.E., M.Si., Ak., CA., ACPA, Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business (FEBI) UIN Sunan Kalijaga. In his remarks, Prof. Misnen emphasized the significance of collaboration between Eco Finance Literacy and the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs to accelerate the implementation of a sustainable circular economy. He also hoped that this collaboration could have a positive impact on the wider community.
The second remark was delivered by Bambang Purwadi Nugroho, S.H., M.H., Head of the Environmental Agency of Bantul Regency, emphasizing the urgency of collaboration between universities, governments, and the industrial sector in addressing environmental issues through the implementation of a circular economy. "This collaboration is a highly positive step in finding joint solutions to overcome environmental issues, thus the implementation of a circular economy can run optimally," said Bambang.
The FGD has yielded several crucial recommendations, including the need for stronger regulations to support the implementation of a circular economy and green financing. Regulations such as sustainability principles, thematic bond markets, and sukuk regulated by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) are expected to accelerate green financing, although major challenges such as a lack of public and business understanding still need to be addressed. In addition, sustainability-based financial literacy is also considered crucial to raising public awareness, particularly in higher education, regarding the significance of supporting a circular economy.
Technological innovations, such as the Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) introduced by Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI), are also underscored as a concrete example of a creative approach to engaging the public in plastic waste recycling efforts. This innovation provides attractive incentives expected to encourage wider participation in the circular economy.
With the implementation of this FGD, it is hoped that cross-sector collaboration between academics, the government, industry players, and the public can continue to develop. This collaboration is key to creating an ecosystem that supports sustainability, particularly at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, expected to become a center for the development of the circular economy concept in Indonesia.