Better building bricks = better livelihoods + better planet
We have brought prosperity to Indonesian construction brick making cooperatives, now we are helping them save the planet.
*Please Upload User Experience Map (as attachment) and any additional insights gathered from Beneficiary Feedback in this field















Why does the target community define this problem as urgent and/or a priority? How is the idea leveraging and empowering community assets to help create an environment for success? (1000 characters)
Brick makers said that identifying a stable, sustainable and cost-competitive fuel source is a priority, because wood currently represents 30% of their production cost, and it is needed up front to produce bricks, sell them and earn ultimately earn income. Most often brick makers need to borrow money to buy the wood, usually from informal and expensive money lenders, trapping them in a cycle of debt. Our idea leverages the Bata Jaya Cooperative (KBJ, or Koperasi Bata Jaya, or KBJ, meaning "Great Bricks Cooperative" in Bahasa), which empowers its members through: - Financial access to fund upfront production costs at a lower interest compared to informal money lenders, and to help manage production costs and earn profit. - Knowledge/technology access, to help members make their production process more efficient and environmentally sustainable, reducing costs and capital needed to increase profit.How does the idea fit within the larger ecosystem that surrounds it? Urgent needs are usually a symptom of a larger issue that rests within multiple interrelated symptoms - share what you know about the context surrounding the problem you are aiming to solve. (500 characters)
In terms of financing, the predatory behavior of informal money lenders takes advantage of SMEs everywhere. But, the cooperative model has shown that brickmaking SMEs can gain back their independence. In terms of the planet, the government has enacted stricter regulations on wood, making it more difficult for brick makers to find wood and pushed some to stop producing altogether. We see these controls as an opportunity to transition to more stable, environmentally-friendly production material.How does the idea affect or change the fundamental nature of the larger ecosystem that surrounds it (as described above) in a new and/or far-reaching way? (500 characters)
By giving the brickmakers access to a low-interest loan product, assistance on how to manage it, and access to information/skills to implement a more environmental-friendly process, KBJ would be able to become a catalyst for the success and sustainability of its members’ businesses and a model for other brickmaking SMEs, cooperatives, and other channels in other areas in Lubuk Alung sub-district (more than 1,200 brick makers), in West Sumatra Province and other brickmaking areas in Indonesia.What will be different within the target community as a result of implementing the idea? What is the scope and scale of that difference? How long will it take to see that difference and how will it be sustained beyond BridgeBuilder support? (500 characters)
The positive changes that we expect to see with this idea are: more financially independent traditional brick-making businesses, greener environment in and around the brickmakers’ business areas in the province due to more environmental-friendly production process, and also, more sustainable businesses using alternative fuel. Within 2 years, we expect to start seeing changes in KBJ community. 2 years later, we plan to spread to the whole brickmaking areas in West Sumatra Province, and beyond.How has the idea evolved or responded to your user research during the Beneficiary Feedback Phase and any further insights provided if you participated in the Expert Feedback Phase? (1000 characters)
Brickmakers are very interested in the expansion of the cooperative (KBJ)’s current savings and loan program, as access to more working capital would help offset many challenges related to their brick production. KBJ management have responded that existing loan criteria and monitoring systems should be restructured so the loan is more directly tied to increasing both the cost efficiency and brick quality of each kiln, since high quality is the main selling point of the KBJ brand. While soliciting feedback, brickmakers have been skeptical of making changes to their own kiln, even when new more cost-efficient ways of producing bricks have been demonstrated. They agree that technical assistance during the process will help them feel more comfortable about investing in this process. Some are also skeptical about using alternative firing materials. The benefit of alternatives will need to be clearly demonstrable and may need to be more than “just a little bit better” for them to be adoptedWhat are the key steps for implementation in the next 1-3 years? (You can attach a timeline or GANTT chart in place of a written plan, if desired.) (1000 characters)

Describe the individual or team that will implement this idea (if a partnership, please explain breakdown of roles and responsibilities for each entity). (Feel free to share an organizational chart or visual description of your team). (500 characters)




What aspects of the idea would potential BridgeBuilder funds primarily support? (500 characters)






In preparation for our Expert Feedback Phase: What are three unanswered questions or challenges that you could use support on in your project? These questions will be answered directly by experts matched specifically to your idea and needs.
1/ How can we determine what is the best microloan system for the brickmakers so the coop can operate sustainably? We are exploring that the Cooperative will keep collateral for loans, for example on a motorbike, machinery, etc. 2/Can you please give further advice or share past examples of tools that have encouraged or incentivized businesses to invest in more environmentally friendly practices? This concept is still new in the community and we are looking to create awareness not just with our brickmakers but with the wider community. 3/ We want to make sure that the cost of using alternative firing materials will be the same or less than using fresh timber so that it can be a sustainable alternative. What suggestions would you have for us to better track the cost and impact of the alternative firing methods we develop?Final Updates (*Please do not complete until we reach the Improve Phase*): How has the idea evolved or responded to your user research during the Beneficiary Feedback Phase and any further insights provided if you participated in the Expert Feedback Phase? (1000 characters)
Expert feedback received helped us think not only about supporting brick makers financially and with training, but also with marketing and promotion of safer, greener bricks. Already, bricks from the KBJ cooperative have been used for public and private buildings, including schools. One of the schools has even been selected as a model ‘Safe School’ in Padang City. We will leverage the relationships that all project partners have with schools, governments, the private sector and local homeowners to showcase the use of greener bricks, helping to stimulate demand and encourage brick makers to shift their production to more environmentally-sustainable methods. This feedback also encouraged us to bring in an additional partner, village councils, as an advisor. Village councils are trusted organizations within the community and can boost our marketing and promotional campaigns with their support.During this Improve Phase, please use the space below to add any additional information to your proposal.



Note that you may also edit any of your previous answers within the proposal. Here is a great place to note any big final changes or iterations you have made to your proposal below:






Explain your project idea (2,000 characters)
We started working with brick makers in Indonesia in 2014 because buildings needed stronger bricks to better resist earthquakes. We found that the problem wasn’t a lack of knowledge of how to make strong bricks but a lack of capital. Brick makers were beholden to predatory money lenders and could never improve their products or processes. In 2015, we helped them form a cooperative, Bata Jaya Cooperative (KBJ), ("Great Bricks" in Bahasa),which is increasing their incomes and lessening their dependence on money lenders. Now, brick makers want to increase their profits, but they are also worried about the sustainability of their businesses. Traditional kilns for firing bricks use fresh timber as fuel, causing deforestation and increasing the risk of mudslides and flooding. We help businesses make their kilns more efficient with small design changes. We have made progress in increasing the efficiency of the firing process by working with SMEs to extend the brick drying period and improving airflow within the kiln. Some brick-makers reported preliminary results of up to a 25% reduction in the use of timber. We also identify and promote less expensive alternate fuels. In collaboration with the Universitas Andalas and several brick makers, we tested using coconut husks instead of timber, and preliminary results indicate that carbon emissions are reduced and profits are increased. We are also testing other locally available bio waste products, such as coffee seedlings and rice husks. We now need additional support to conduct more testing with brick makers and provide business support to grow. We have a shared goal of identifying and scaling the inputs that make the most sense for the brick makers’ prosperity and for the planet. We want to demonstrate success within the Bata Jaya Cooperative, and then scale throughout West Sumatra, and eventually all of Indonesia, by supporting the creation of new cooperatives that put prosperity and planet at the center of their work.Who are the beneficiaries? (1,000 characters)




How is your idea unique? (1,000 characters)
Build Change has supported the brick-making sector in West Sumatra and Aceh provinces for the past four years. In total, we have trained over 230 brickmaking SMEs, and are currently providing technical and business assistance to 180 SMEs and their employees in Padang Pariaman District, West Sumatra Province, to improve their production quality and livelihoods. What is unique about our idea: we are the only organization working with low-income brick making SMEs, and we take a human-centered design approach to identify their pain points (ie: predatory money lenders) and co-create solutions (such as establishing a cooperative). The Bata Jaya Cooperative is unique as it is an engine of change for its members, providing resources and assistance for more prosperous businesses and environmentally-friendly production practices. Once the idea is tested and proved, the idea can quickly scale through the cooperative, and the cooperative model can in turn be replicated to other regions.Idea Proposal Stage (choose one)
- Prototype: I have done some small tests or experiments with prospective users to continue developing the idea.
Tell us more about your organization/company (1 sentence and website URL)
Build Change empowers people in emerging nations to build homes and schools that will protect their families and children from earthquakes and major storms, and supports SMEs in the construction value chain to increase their incomes and create jobs.Expertise in sector
- 3-5 years
Organization Filing Status
- Yes, we are a registered social enterprise.
In 3-4 sentences, tell us the inspiration or story that encouraged you to start this project.
Bahtiar, a brick maker and father of four, is one of those who took a risk to work with us to test better methods for firing bricks. He recently told us he has set his business free from moneylenders by incorporating better techniques, an inspiration to all the SMEs we partner with who are trapped in a poverty cycle because of these moneylenders. Bahtiar’s success and the government’s stricter wood logging control have inspired us to support brick makers to adopt greener practices at scale.Please explain how your selected topic areas are influenced, in the local context of your project (1,000 characters).
Prosperity is influenced by the SMEs income and materials cost for production, including high dependence on informal money lenders for loans. Brick price changes every other month, and at their lowest, the price of a brick can be lower than its production cost, resulting in losses for SMEs. This seasonality makes it difficult for SMEs to lessen their dependence on money lenders, but cooperatives can assist in regulating the supply and sale prices. Planet is influenced by the government’s recent environmental controls on wood logging. For many years, brickmaking in rural areas depended on wood for production but SMEs were not aware if the wood was certified or legal. Following a stricter control by the government in recent years, the brick makers experience difficulty in finding wood, which pushed some SMEs to stop producing altogether. We saw this as an opportunity to assist them to transition to a more environmentally-friendly production material.Who will work alongside your organization in the project idea? (1,000 characters)
Our main partners are the Bata Jaya Cooperative (KBJ) and SME brick makers in West Sumatra, who we have been collaborating with since 2015. We will continue partnering to bridge the gaps between profitability and environmental sustainability. They will be our lead partners in testing alternative fuels, sharing their feedback and concerns to find financially and environmentally sustainable production solutions. We will also collaborate with them to expand membership to the Cooperative and support new members to use alternative fuels and practices. This will help us develop a model to scale across the region and eventually nationwide. Build Change will also partner with the Universitas Andalas in Padang, West Sumatra to study different alternative fuels, their impact on the environment and their performance. We are already working with their Faculty of Environmental Engineering to study coconut husks as an alternative firing material, and we look forward to expanding this collaboration.Please share some of the top strengths identified in the community which your project will serve (500 characters)
West Sumatra has a large number of SME brick makers who are reliant on predatory money lenders and are looking to increase their profits. They have identified the Bata Jaya Cooperative as a strength to lessen their reliance on the money lenders’ loans. Another advantage is the availability of bio waste products, such as coconut husks, coffee seedlings and rice husks, to test for environmental sustainability and profitability.Geographic Focus
Pilot in Padang Pariaman District, expanded to the West Sumatra province, and ultimately nationwideHow many months are required for the project idea? (500 characters)
Build Change, Universitas Andalas and the Bata Jaya Cooperative will collaborate during the first year to prototyping and testing alternative fuels options and their effects. In the second year, Build Change and the Bata Jaya Cooperative will train members within the cooperative. During the third year, we will work together to bring new members to the cooperative and create other cooperatives in the province, ultimately scaling a greener and more profitable production process.Did you submit this idea to our 2017 BridgeBuilder Challenge? (Y/N)
- No
20 comments
Join the conversation:
CommentBrannon Veal
Aline SEJOURNE
Brannon Veal
Brian Bauer
Aline SEJOURNE
Brian Bauer
Aline SEJOURNE
geoffrey mosigisi
Aline SEJOURNE
Jody null
Macheru Karuku
Anubha Sharma
Deepshikha
Aline SEJOURNE
Jaskeerat Bedi
Aline SEJOURNE
Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO)
Ridho Fermana Kusuma
Aline SEJOURNE
Ozuluonye Shedrack