UNDP, CITI Foundation spearhead youth social entrepreneur movement in Indonesia

May 21, 2021

Jakarta, 21 May 2021 – Over 200 Indonesian delegates, including two ministers and government officials, from across the country pledged to strengthen the youth entrepreneurship ecosystem amid the COVID-19 pandemic during the Third National Dialogue on Youth Entrepreneurship today.

Entitled “Sustainability of Youth Entrepreneurs Ecosystem during COVID-19” the event looked at opportunities to support Indonesia’s recovery towards post-pandemic green economic recovery.  The National Dialogue is part of the Youth Co: Lab, a regional initiative to boost social entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific, led by UNDP and Citi Foundation.

The Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Culture also supported the gathering. The Dialogue also aims to bring greater youth involvement as the government prepares the launching of the National Strategy on Youth Entrepreneurship.

“As we begin to accelerate the country’s development – and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is important that we provide adequate support and resources for youth entrepreneurs to develop their ideas towards more sustainable growth. Working together, we can enhance their abilities that will help propel the country forward,” said Mr. Suharso Monoarfa, Bappenas Minister.

The discussion was divided into five pillars, each highlighting critical challenges. These included Talent, which looks at inequality in talent development; Culture, which aims to connect cultural values with youth entrepreneurs in the rural areas; Density, which highlights the inequality of physical space and internet access; Capital, which discussed the gap between capital inflow and youth entrepreneurs, and Regulatory implementation to increase the quality of production by youth entrepreneurs.

Low financial literacy, and  ack of qualified trainers and uncompetitive market were cited as key factors hampering the growth of entrepreneurship. To address the issue, participants called all stakeholders to increase collaboration, coordination, and transparency in impact measurement, and  strategy to harness the youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Before today’s discussion, UNDP Indonesia together with Citi Foundation and the Islamic Development Bank had launched a report on Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in 2021.  Developed by SMERU and TLE, the research indicates positive trends among youth entrepreneurs. However, inequality in access to training and knowledge has hindered the growth of a youth entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Following the event, participants will be involved in two days of deep discussion with 30 speakers from various industries such as media, NGOs and startups including Patamar Digital, StartupIndonesia.co, Asumsi, YCAB, Gojek, Plan International and others.  Recommendations for policy development and implementation were also discussed.

UNDP Indonesia Resident Representative, Norimasa Shimomura echoed Mr. Batara’s views, saying the youth hold the key to Indonesia’s transition to green economy.  

“The success of Indonesia’s recovery post COVID-19 rests on two key ingredients: the country’s landscape on green economy and the readiness of its young population. As we are reminded by the pandemic to shift our economy into a zero-waste green path, youth population can drive social changes with green entrepreneurship” said Mr. Norimasa Shimomura, Resident Representative of UNDP Indonesia.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

UNDP Indonesia Communication Specialist, Tomi Soetjipto, suryo.tomi@undp.org

Youth Co;Lab Focal Point, Lady Diandra, lady.diandra@undp.org