Central Java Disabilities Forum Receives Global Zero Project Award

KBRN, Vienna: The Boyolali Disabilities Communication Forum (Forum Komunikasi Difabel Boyolali, FKDB), a non-governmental organization from Boyolali Regency, Central Java, has received the international Zero Project Award 2025. The Indonesian Ambassador to Austria and Slovenia, Damos Dumoli Agusman, symbolically received the award at the Zero Project 2025 Conference at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria, Thursday (6/3/2025).

FKDB is an organization focused on advocating for the rights and improving the welfare of persons with disabilities in Boyolali and surrounding areas.

"This award is given for the innovation and extraordinary impact of the Kresna Patra program, which creates inclusive job opportunities for persons with disabilities in the local garment industry," said the Indonesian Embassy in Vienna in a statement received by RRI Voice of Indonesia, Saturday (8/3/2025).

Through the Kresna Patra program, FKDB provides sewing training, life skills, and peer support for persons with disabilities. The forum collaborates with local governments and the business sector, especially the garment industry, to work on this project.

Participants at a Kresna Patra program workshop in Boyolali Regency, Central Java (Photo:Indonesian Embassy in Vienna)

This program helps participants find employment in the industry and encourages them to establish their small businesses. As of 2024, FKDB has trained more than 500 persons with disabilities and placed 57 in jobs.

In addition, FKDB established the Kresna Patra Kemusu Boyolali Workshop as a training and empowerment center for persons with disabilities. In 2024, FKDB was selected to partner with the state-owned oil company Pertamina, offering various free training programs.

"We are very proud that our hard work from a small town can be appreciated at the international level. Kresna Patra is our commitment to breaking through limitations and achieving inclusion with full energy," said the Chairwoman of FKDB and founder of Kresna Patra, Sri Setyaningsih.

The Zero Project Award is given to innovative and impactful solutions that improve accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities. This award is organized by the Zero Project, an initiative of the Essl Foundation, which aims to support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

In 2025, the awards' theme focused on employment and information and communication technology (ICT).