Collaborating with IPB and the Businesses, Ministry of Social Affairs Strengthens the Economic Independence of Vulnerable Groups

The Ministry of Social Affairs collaborates with the Sampoerna Entrepreneurship Training Center (SETC) and Prima Kelola Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) to support economic empowerment programs.

In a meeting with the two institutions, the Minister emphasized that the Ministry of Social Affairs invites the businesses and universities to work collaboratively with the government to empower the poor to be independent and not depend on social assistance.

The Minister believes that the potential for the community to develop can be found in many places. "I believe that anywhere, somewhere, there must be a potential that can be developed," said Social Affairs Minister Risma when visiting SETC, in Pasuruan, East Java, Tuesday (7/3).

"Therefore, what we do is how we take the potential of this 280 million population into something that we can use for leverage. The goal is to get our brothers and sisters who can not survive in any condition and maybe even get out of poverty," said Social Affairs Minister Risma.

Empowerment also targets vulnerable groups. They are expected to be independent and not only rely on social assistance provided by the government. However, they need to be trained and directed to be economically empowered through developing the potential of flora and fauna resources around them.

Through these collaborations, the Ministry of Social Affairs will open training activities. This activity will be synergized with the National Economic Heroes (PENA) program to empower the poor to be prosperous and independent.

"This collaboration aims to increase the knowledge and entrepreneurial skills of the beneficiaries," she said. According to the plan, the Minister will send beneficiaries from various regions to receive training at SETC.

The training that will be received includes batik, agriculture, fisheries, and material processing activities so that they have high selling value.

On the same occasion, the Director of External Relations of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk. expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Social Affairs for running economic empowerment programs for the community, especially vulnerable groups in Indonesia.

"We would like to thank the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, especially regarding the programs for social protection implemented by the Ministry of Social Affairs, for the efforts to alleviate poverty. We understand that the efforts made by the Ministry of Social Affairs are directed towards community empowerment to achieve economic independence, and this is what we also strive for through SETC programs," said Elvira.

This collaboration is one of the Ministry of Social Affairs' efforts to provide entrepreneurship knowledge to vulnerable groups so that they can have expertise in utilizing the potential of natural resources around them. So, in the future, they can get out of poverty and even become agents of change in the area where they live.

Also present were Director of External Relations of PT HM Sampoerna Tbk Elvira Lianita, Director of PT Prima Kelola Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) Sulistianawati, Head of External Relations of PT. HM Sampoerna Tbk Arif Triastika and Isaac Dhanu Ningrat, IPB Capture Fisheries Lecturer Tri Wiji Nurani, IPB Agricultural Technology Lecturer Dase Hunaefi, Special Advisor for Communication and Mass Media Don Rozano Sigit Prakoeswa, Special Advisor for Social Welfare Services and Potential Sources of Social Welfare Luhur Budijarso Lulu, Special Advisor for Human Resource Development and Ministry Programs Suhadi Lili, and Special Advisor for Empowerment and Poverty Reduction Management Doddi Madya Judanto.