Sapei Rusin, S.T

Sapei Rusin, S.T. is a civil society leader, community organizer, and public policy advocate who has dedicated more than three decades to advancing social change and equitable development. A graduate of Urban and Regional Planning from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), he began his engagement in the civil society movement in the early 1990s and became one of the founders of Perkumpulan Inisiatif in 2005, where he currently serves as Chair of the Board. He has also served as Vice President of the Confederation of Indonesian People’s Movements (KPRI). His professional areas of focus include community organizing, public policy advocacy, public budgeting and fiscal policy, governance, public services, social protection, community economic development, environmental justice, and a just energy transition. Throughout his career, Sapei has consistently connected knowledge, community experiences, and policy analysis to promote public policies that are more responsive to the needs of marginalized groups. He views public policy and budgets not merely as technical instruments, but as expressions of political choices that determine how development resources are distributed and who ultimately benefits from them.

For Sapei Rusin, leadership is not about standing at the front, but about building collective strength so that more people are empowered to stand and shape the direction of change. This principle has guided his leadership in building organizations, nurturing new generations of leaders, developing knowledge, strengthening networks, and connecting diverse civil society forces to advance meaningful social change. With extensive experience in community organizing and policy advocacy, he places people at the center of change and sees public policy as a critical arena for advancing social justice. More than three decades of his work reflect a consistent conviction that people must be the subjects of development, justice its ultimate purpose, and organized communities its driving force. From grassroots organizing to public policy arenas, Sapei Rusin continues to contribute his experience and knowledge to building a strong, independent, and critical civil society capable of advancing public policies that are democratic, inclusive, just, and sustainable.

Email : sapei.rusin@inisiatif.org or sapei.rusin@gmail.com