BUILDING RESILIENT VILLAGES Strengthening Nature, Livelihoods, and Local Governance in Indonesia’s Drylands

Building Resilient Villages: Strengthening Nature, Livelihoods, and Local Governance in Indonesia’s Drylands invites readers into the heart of Indonesia’s most challenging rural landscapes its drylands where communities persist with remarkable strength. Opening with a powerful reflection on why resilience matters, the book guides readers through the evolving world of village development, unpacking the concepts, policies, and governance structures that shape rural futures. It brings clarity to how national frameworks interact with local realities, showing that resilience is not just a policy goal but a lived experience shaped by people, culture, and environment. With accessible language and grounded analysis, the book paints an insightful picture of what it takes to build thriving villages in the face of ecological stress.

At its core, the book brings Sillu Village in Kupang Regency to life through a rich case study that captures the rhythms, challenges, and strengths of a dryland community. Through detailed socio-economic, environmental, and resource assessments, readers witness how local knowledge, natural assets, and daily struggles converge into a complex development landscape. The narrative is further strengthened by forward-looking models the Sustainable Livelihood Framework, Circular Economy strategies, and institutional strengthening pathways that provide practical, transformative tools for long-term resilience. Concluding with a visionary strategic roadmap, the book inspires policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to imagine and work toward villages that are not only resilient but capable of shaping their own sustainable futures.