Description: Eco Fun Run held by the Eco Bhinneka Nasyiatul Aisyiyah Surakarta on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Alun-Alun Surakarta
That morning, the Surakarta City Square bloomed with the vibrant colors of diversity. Young people, the elderly, women, and members of various faith communities came together in a light but meaningful stride as part of the Eco Fun Run.
Under the bright April 27, 2025 sunshine, Muhammadiyah and Nasyiatul Aisyiyah, through the Eco Bhinneka program, brought together people of different faiths—not just to run, but to collect trash and plant hope for a more sustainable earth and a more harmonious society.
Carrying the spirit of inclusivity and diversity, Eco Bhinneka became a platform for interfaith and intercommunity synergy through two main events: the Eco Fun Run and the inspiring dialogue forum Srawung Carito.
These two activities also served as open spaces for dialogue that fostered collective understanding and real action in environmental preservation, while strengthening social relations among people from diverse backgrounds.
Real Action and Education through Eco Fun Run
A total of 250 participants from all walks of life—including youth, the elderly, women’s groups, and religious communities—joined the Eco Fun Run that kicked off at Surakarta City Square. The event began with a warm-up session led by the “Teman Tapi Lari” running community, followed by a relaxed run combined with a clean-up effort along the route.
After the run, participants enjoyed performances from interfaith youth groups and a door prize giveaway organized by the committee. The event became a living symbol of unity in protecting the environment, free from identity barriers.
Srawung Carito: Environmental Dialogue with Experts
The second activity, Srawung Carito, was a forum that featured inspiring speakers such as Astrid Widayani (Deputy Mayor of Surakarta), Felix Krisnugraha (Earth Hour Jogja), and Yuliani Maya (a microbusiness activist). Moderated by Titik Eka Sasanti of the Gita Pertiwi Foundation, the discussion was held at the Pendapi Hall, Surakarta City Hall, and attended by around 100 participants—ranging from young people and persons with disabilities to government representatives and religious leaders.
Deputy Mayor Astrid Widayani expressed her appreciation in her opening remarks. “The Eco Bhinneka movement in Surakarta is a real step toward reducing waste and sustaining our future. May this spirit continue to grow and spread. When communities, governments, academia, and society unite, a circular economy is not only possible—it can become a powerful force for a sustainable future,” she said.
Meanwhile, Yanu Milanti, Treasurer of the Central Board of Nasyiatul Aisyiyah, affirmed her support for the circular economy approach. “We will learn together about developing a circular economy—an economic approach focused on extending the life cycle of products. Through Eco Bhinneka, let’s strengthen our commitment to be part of the solution, not just for today, but for a better future for generations to come,” she stated.
Description: Srawung Carito, was a forum that featured inspiring speakers to discuss environmental issues. This event held by the Eco Bhinneka Nasyiatul Aisyiyah Surakarta on Sunday, April 27, 2025 in Pendopo Alun-Alun Surakarta.
Support and Impact
The event received direct support from the Surakarta City Government, the local PKK (Family Welfare Movement), and youth organizations such as Karang Taruna. The presence of the Deputy Mayor and provision of public facilities underscored the government’s commitment to backing this movement.
Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah successfully expanded its interfaith and cross-sector collaboration network, including volunteer engagement from church communities and youth activists. The fully independent organization of the event by the Sederek Eco Bhinneka community also demonstrated the powerful role of grassroots participation in driving change.
Coordination and time management ran smoothly, although the fast-paced volunteer recruitment process served as an evaluation point to enhance future commitment. The program stands as a strong example of how sports, dialogue, and environmental action can bridge differences and build intercommunity solidarity.
Through this series of activities, Eco Bhinneka not only fostered awareness of environmental stewardship but also sparked new habits and collective initiatives in advancing a local circular economy. Looking ahead, the hope is for a formal agreement between communities and government to ensure the sustainability of this growing movement.
(Uswatun Hasanah)
