Smashed Indonesia: Empowering Youth Through Culture, Creativity, and Conversation

We’re driven by one purpose: to educate, empower, and engage young people in making safe, healthy decisions through conversations that matter. In this blog, we’re shining the spotlight on our incredible partner in Indonesia, where the local challenges are unique, but so are the solutions.

In a country where delivering alcohol education comes with significant cultural and religious sensitivities, our partners at Dapoerdongeng have stepped up with innovation, empathy, and impact. PT Dapoer dongeng Noesantara was established in 2015 by Yudhi Soerjoatmodjo and Adi Respati with +25 years’ experience in designing and producing arts, cultural, and educational programs. Their team of project managers work with multi-disciplinary experts in the creative and learning communities, providing partners with relevant and wide range expertise to deliver projects successfully.

98% of SMASHED Indonesia partner schools are public-funded where up to 80% of students came from very diverse but underprivileged backgrounds and educators face overcrowded classrooms, overloaded schedules, and limited resources. Engaging meaningfully in these topics is no easy task. But in true Smashed spirit, the team has responded not with hesitation, but with creativity and care.

Two New Learning Modules for Teachers and Students

To further support schools across Indonesia, especially those in under-resourced areas, our partner has developed two free, downloadable modules that extend the impact of the Smashed programme before and after the core experience. These resources, created by Dapoerdongeng’s Research, Development & Analytics (RDA) team (many of whom are trained in educational psychology), are designed to support both teachers and students through practical, meaningful engagement.

Pre-SMASHED Module: Understanding Peer Pressure & Bullying

Before the Smashed team visits the school, teachers can now access the Pre-Smashed module, an important starting point that helps them to assess student needs and spark open conversations. This module includes a Teacher’s Guide and two-part Survey for students. Students are encouraged to reflect on and identify peer pressure and bullying behaviours in their everyday lives. Teachers are guided through interpreting the results and can reach out to the Smashed Indonesia team for support.

For schools unsure about the programme, this tool provides real insight into the challenges students may be facing, helping educators see why Smashed could be essential in their context.

After the Smashed session, learning doesn’t stop. The Post-Smashed module helps reinforce key emotional and social skills, building long-term behavioural change and self-awareness. Students explore the six basic emotions (happiness, sadness, fear, anger, disgust, surprise) using worksheets and scenes from the Smashed video. The learning unit focuses in depth on fear and anxiety, offering guidance on how to manage these feelings, particularly during high-stress periods like exam prep. Teachers receive a full implementation guide, complete with discussion prompts and follow-up activities.

Many students in Indonesia face academic pressure and social stress in silence. This module gives them language, structure, and support to better understand and manage their mental wellbeing.

Innovating for Context

Indonesia presents a unique context. As one of the few Muslim-majority countries in the Smashed network, and one that has grown more conservative over the last two decades, our content must be delivered sensitively and respectfully.

To address this, the Smashed Indonesia team has embraced innovation at every level, from the downloadable modules to the School Profile Engine developed in 2023. (Fun fact: the engine has reduced the time spent cold-calling schools by up to 95%, allowing the team to focus on those most likely to benefit from the programme.)

Since its launch in 2017, Smashed Indonesia has proudly empowered over 127,000 students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make positive life choices. Every session is a step toward a healthier, brighter future, and none of this would be possible without the incredible support of schools, teachers, and communities who believe in this mission.

“Following the SMASHED program, students began to recognize the issues they were facing. Some students grew more comfortable visiting the counseling room to discuss their problems. The number of student visits to the Guidance and Counseling teacher increased by 100%. In fact, they often waited in line outside the BK room even before it opened. While not everyone felt ready to open up, this is a significant first step. It’s a small but crucial stride, because prevention is always superior to addressing a problem after it has escalated.” – School Counselor at state school SMP Negeri 17, Indonesia.

Looking Ahead

What’s happening in Indonesia isn’t just important locally. It’s a model of innovation for how to deliver impactful education in complex environments. It proves that when we listen, adapt, and stay rooted in real needs, we can make an impact even in the most challenging settings.
We are so proud of the work being done on the ground, and even prouder of the teachers and students who bring it to life every day.