Safeguarding SMEs in Southeast Asia's Clean Energy Sector

Mapping the Strategic Landscape

Across Southeast Asia’s clean energy sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as Mober, Nami Solar, Hijau, and Upgrade Energy Philippines (UGEP) are rapidly expanding access to renewable power. As these companies grew, their leaders recognised a parallel need to strengthen internal systems that protect people as much as they protect the planet.

Between May and September 2025, the four companies joined a structured learning cohort under the Australian Development Investments (ADI) Safeguarding Initiative, delivered in partnership with the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (IBCWE) and Sarona Asset Management. The cohort focused on strengthening organisational policies and practices related to gender equality, child protection, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH).

Revealing the Hidden Barriers

Despite strong operational performance, many SMEs lacked the policies, and practical tools needed to embed safeguarding consistently across their organisations, including within human resources, field operations, and community engagement. Cultural norms made conversations around power dynamics and misconduct challenging, while limited internal resources constrained sustained implementation. Leadership teams understood the importance of safeguarding but required structured, context-specific support to translate commitment into day-to-day practice.

Mobilising Support for Transformation

Through a combination of workshops, diagnostics, and one-on-one coaching, the cohort built practical, implementable safeguarding systems aligned with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) standards for funded and impact-driven organisations.

The program included:

Training on PSEAH, gender sensitivity, and child protection
Organisational audits to identify workplace and operational safeguarding risks
Development of tailored safeguarding action plans
Practical tools such as reporting flowcharts, scorecards, and checklists
Peer-learning exchanges where companies shared challenges, reviewed progress, and strengthened accountability

Translating Learning into Practice

Each SME reached tangible milestones that strengthened workplace safety, accountability, and inclusion.

Mober drafted a Safeguarding and Safe Workplace Initiatives Plan, introduced a non-retaliation clause, and established child-safe zones during logistics events
Nami Solar adopted a comprehensive Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and formed a multi-department Safeguarding Task Force
Hijau integrated child-protection clauses into contracts and strengthened its whistleblowing mechanisms
UGEP embedded safeguarding into its Solar Nanay Program, a community-based initiative supporting women’s participation in renewable energy, expanding safe-space practices for women and children

Confronting Structural Constraints

Across the cohort, SMEs faced shared challenges, including limited internal capacity, and concerns about sustaining progress beyond the program period. IBCWE addressed these barriers through flexible mentoring, step-by-step templates, and a cohort-based approach that normalised shared learning and collective responsibility.

Sustaining the Shift Toward Safer Systems

By the end of the time-bound technical assistance (TA) cycle, all four SMEs had strengthened safeguarding policies, increased leadership awareness, and improved workforce confidence. Their experience underscores a broader insight for impact-driven SMEs: safeguarding is not merely a compliance requirement. When embedded effectively, it becomes part of organisational culture, driving follow-on investment, fostering long-term business resilience, and building community trust.

Learn more about this cohort’s journey in the technical assistance profile below and see how ADI is supporting renewable energy SMEs to build safer, more inclusive workplaces across Southeast Asia.