This is the final external evaluation report of the Bureau of Democracy, Rights and Labor (DRL) funded “Solidifying Religious Freedom in Indonesia” (SOLID-ID) program, implemented by Search for Common Ground (Search). The project ran from September 2017 to March 2019 for a total of 18 months. The project was implemented in six locations (Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Bekasi, Bandung and Yogyakarta), identified as Indonesia’s most intolerant cities based on the Setara Institute 2017 survey. The project aimed at reinstating the values and norms of pluralism within state institutions and local communities, and among youth, to in turn support a more enabling environment for strengthening religious freedom in Indonesia. The project aimed at improving national and local government’s role in ensuring the protection of religious minorities in exercising religious freedom; and enhancing the roles of key actors (religious leaders, artists, and media) in actively promoting religious tolerance. The project promoted the values of diversity and pluralism in state institutions, youth groups and other groups in society, which is an important element in social and political life in Indonesia today. The project was found to be relevant due to the strong polarization of political support that often catalyzed spreading of false information and hate speech that divides public trust. The project is also credited to increased acceptance of religious differences and promoting tolerance in Indonesian society.
May 11, 2020
