The Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center (PYC), through its RECLICKS by PYC initiative in collaboration with the FINCAPES Project, University of Waterloo, successfully convened a highly competitive and prestigious research grant awarding program aimed at identifying, selecting, and supporting high-impact research initiatives in the fields of climate finance and energy transition.
The program brought together a diverse pool of researchers, policymakers, academics, and practitioners, creating a rigorous and merit-based selection environment that emphasized analytical depth, policy relevance, and implementation feasibility.
Designed as a selective platform, the program featured a multi-stage evaluation process, including proposal screening, expert-led assessment, and intensive proposal pitching sessions. Participating teams were required to demonstrate not only strong academic foundations, but also the ability to translate research into actionable policy insights aligned with Indonesia’s energy transition priorities. This competitive process positioned the program as a strategic gateway for advancing policy-oriented research, distinguishing it as a credible and high-standard initiative within Indonesia’s research and policy ecosystem.
The grant awarding process was conducted as part of the CLICKS Workshop titled “Strengthening Research Implementation for Climate Finance and Energy Transition,” held over two days. The workshop functioned as a facilitative and supporting platform, enabling engagement between participants and experts, as well as providing a structured environment for proposal refinement and knowledge exchange. While the primary objective remained the identification and selection of outstanding research proposals, the workshop setting allowed for a more dynamic and interactive evaluation process.
One of the highlighted research projects selected through this competitive platform is titled “Valuing Strategic Flexibility in ASEAN Electricity Market Integration: Real Options Evidence from the Indonesia–Singapore Interconnection.” The study is led by Ir. Dzikri Firmansyah Hakam, S.T., Pg.Dip., M.Sc., Ph.D., CFP® (Lecturer, SBM ITB) and developed in collaboration with Atika Irawan, M.S., Ph.D (Cand) (Lecturer, SBM ITB) and Nitha Pricillia, S.E., M.M., Ph.D (Cand) (Lecturer, BINUS University).
The research is further supported by researchers from the Institute for Energy, Economics and Finance (IEEF), namely Khairil Ihsan Bintang, M.Pd.; Ihda Farhatun Nisak, M.M.; and Anisya Nurfitri Kustyani, M.S.M, as well as Wahyu Parbowo, S.T., MBA (Cand) (Student, SBM ITB). The project was recognized for its strong analytical framework, particularly in applying real options valuation to assess strategic flexibility in cross-border electricity market integration, as well as its clear relevance to regional energy policy development.
As a complementary component, the program incorporated a set of targeted capacity-building sessions, focusing on enhancing participants’ ability to communicate research findings to policymakers, develop actionable and policy-relevant recommendations, and integrate Gender and Socio-economic Inclusivity (GESEI) into research design. These sessions were intentionally positioned as supporting elements to ensure that awarded research projects are not only academically rigorous but also implementation-ready and capable of generating tangible policy impact.
Through this initiative, RECLICKS by PYC reinforces its role as a strategic enabler of high-quality, policy-driven research, strengthening the linkage between research, funding, and implementation. The program underscores the importance of building a robust research ecosystem where competitive selection, expert validation, and targeted support mechanisms converge to accelerate evidence-based policymaking, optimize climate finance strategies, and advance Indonesia’s sustainable energy transition.
