What is Lestari Circle?
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TLDR; Lestari Circle is a space where NGO communities gather to share experiences, learn from each other and collaborate, we are often joined by guest speakers who shed light on the hot topics in the NGO community. This post explains what it is, how it works, and how to join!
Why a circle?
A circle puts everyone on the same level, which is exactly what people doing good work need when they are trying to get better at it.
NGOs and social enterprises often tackle similar challenges on their own. Lestari Circle brings these communities together to share experiences, learn from each other and look for ways to collaborate.
It is deliberately casual. There is no pitching and no performing, just people who care about the same things sharing what they know. Carbon GPT's role is simply to bring everyone together.
How a session works
Each Lestari Circle is a small, casual gathering, kept intimate so that real conversations can happen. Sessions are often paired with a guest speaker, and a typical afternoon includes:
- A guest speaker who sheds light on a hot topic in the NGO community, such as how to get corporates to say yes to proposals
- A peer experience share on what has been tried, what worked and what did not
- An open round where everyone shares their biggest challenge and the group discusses solutions
- Networking time to connect and look for ways to collaborate
Where it started: our first session
The first Lestari Circle, held on Monday, 28 September 2026 at Sunda Selves, Damansara Kim, focused on getting corporates to say yes to proposals. It brought together 10 organisations for an afternoon from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
Our guest speakers were Wicia from Carbon GPT, on what corporates actually look for in a CSR proposal, and OPACK, who shared what worked and what did not in their own pitches to corporates.
The afternoon turned out warm and open, with organisations that share the same goals in the same room, learning from each other. It set the tone for the circles to come.
What's next and how to join
Lestari Circle will continue as a recurring series, with the next session's guest speaker, topic and date still to be announced.
If you run an NGO or social enterprise and would like a seat at an upcoming Circle, register your interest when it gets announced on our Instagram page (@carbongpt). Seats are limited so that every session stays small and conversational!
