Community Empowerment Program for Fishermen Through Technology and Engineering-Based Assistance

Abstract

Fishermen communities in many rural coastal areas often face environmental and technological challenges, particularly in managing organic waste and utilizing appropriate technologies to support sustainable community activities. Limited access to simple engineering solutions may lead to environmental pollution and inefficient waste management practices. Therefore, community empowerment initiatives integrating technological assistance and participatory engagement are essential to improve environmental management and community capacity. This community service program aims to empower fishermen communities through the implementation of engineering-based appropriate technology combined with active participation of students and local residents. The program was conducted using a participatory approach consisting of several stages: preliminary assessment and field observation, technology planning and preparation, technology installation and community participation, and evaluation with knowledge transfer. The results show that the installation of a brick-based combustion technology successfully supported organic waste management in the community environment. In addition, the program strengthened collaboration between academics, students, and community members while improving environmental awareness and technical understanding of the introduced technology. The novelty of this article lies in the integration of engineering technology implementation, participatory community engagement, and student involvement within a single community empowerment framework. This integrated approach contributes to sustainable environmental management and enhances the long-term adoption of appropriate technology within fishermen communities.