The document summarizes a project aimed at building capacity and institutional development for tsunami early warning in local communities in Indonesia. The project was implemented from 2006-2010 by GTZ-IS and focused on pilot areas of Padang, South Java, and Bali. It took a multi-level approach of working with national and local partners to develop common understanding of the warning system, advocacy to decision makers, training, and documentation of best practices and lessons learned. The experiences highlighted that capacity development takes time and requires ongoing partnership, awareness activities, and development of frameworks, plans, and standard operating procedures.