Since December 2021, the SEED 4 Women Program has empowered 854 women small entrepreneurs in Malang Regency and Malang City, including 124 young women.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — Mercy Corps Indonesia held the kick-off meeting for the third SEED 4 Women Program, with support from the Citi Foundation and Citi Indonesia (09/13).
In its third year, the SEED 4 Women Program will concentrate on optimizing the use of digital tools for financial management, encouraging sustainable saving behavior, and supporting the formation of relationships between Laku Pandai agents and customers.
This women’s empowerment program is one of Mercy Corps Indonesia and Citi Indonesia’s efforts to encourage inclusive economic growth through increasing the literacy and skills of women business owners in Malang, East Java.
Running since December 2021, the program has empowered 854 women small entrepreneurs in Malang Regency and Malang City, including 124 young women (18-30 years) and 28 Formal Financial Institution (LKF) agents spread across 34 districts and 262 villages.
Executive Director of Mercy Corps Indonesia Ade Soekadis conveyed that through this program his party will be committed to working with strategic partners, government, financial institutions, and local communities to create a sustainable impact.
“By supporting economic empowerment and increasing the literacy and skills of female business owner participants, the SEED 4 Women Program hopes to encourage inclusive economic growth, reduce gender gaps, and create a brighter future for future generations,” said Ade.
701 participants have separated business finances
Meanwhile, Director and Country Head of Public Affairs at Citi Indonesia Puni Ayu Anjungsari said that Citi Indonesia as a global bank sees the important role of women in advancing a nation’s economy.
She uttered, “Therefore, we hope that the SEED 4 Women program, which focuses on optimizing the use of digital tools for financial management, can help increase the digital and financial literacy of women small entrepreneurs. In this way, they are able to compete more effectively in the era of digital trade and transactions that continue to grow rapidly.”
This kick-off meeting which was held online included a discussion session by participant representatives and Laku Pandai agents to convey stories of changes and benefits obtained after joining the SEED 4 Women program.
Based on the data obtained, as many as 668 participants have carried out regular savings practices, 309 participants have recorded business finances, 450 participants have been able to make profit and loss reports, 701 participants have separated business finances, and 402 participants have used financial services through LKF.
In addition, 28 LKF agents consisting of 25 women and 3 men who joined the program also experienced positive impacts, including an increasing number of transactions, transaction value, and agent income each month, as well as a growing percentage of active customers.
