EU Assists 50 Village-Owned Enterprises in East Nusa Tenggara

The European Union (EU) has supported 50 village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

IDXChannel - The European Union (EU) has supported 50 village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) through the forty-two months project, Enabling Civil Society for Inclusive Village Economic Development (ENVISION). 

Collaborating with Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) and Yayasan Alfa Omega (YAO), the project started in March 2020 and implemented in Sumba Timur, Timor Tengah Selatan and Kupang. 

It aims to promote the involvement of women and youth in the management of BUMDes and thereby improve the welfare of village communities. Support from the project benefitted 61.075 people in total, with 12.440 women and youth as direct beneficiaries.

Despite major challenges on the project implementation caused by Covid-19 and Seroja Tropical Cyclone, ENVISION together with local civil society organisations (CSOs) - Bengkel Appek, Yayasan Sanggar Suara Perempuan, and Yayasan Injiwatu Sumba - delivered series of trainings to BUMDes committee, women and youth groups, and local CSOs. 

ENVISION managed to assist 42 BUMDes to have at least 20% of women representation in the management level; 38 BUMDes obtained legal entity certificates to manage their business and assets; 30 BUMDes received at least 5% fund addition from village funds; and 67 out of 250 village facilitators appointed to be Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) champions. 

“Gender equality and social inclusion, also of disabled persons, are crucial for any community, in Indonesia as well as in Europe. That is why the EU works together with Indonesian local community for this goal. I am happy to see how the EU-funded ENVISION project has supported 50 BUMDes for the economic empowerment of rural women and youth. This is a breakthrough that will contribute to the prosperity of village communities in NTT," said EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, Vincent Piket, in a media release on Friday (11/8/2023).

ENVISION held a two-day event on 10-11 August to wrap up the project. It concluded with insightful talk shows showcasing project results, success stories and best practices, and provide policy recommendations to relevant Ministries based on feedback on the implementation of regulations at the village level.

Village-Owned Enterprise is a business entity whose capital is entirely or mostly owned by the village through direct participation originating from village assets set aside to manage assets, services, and other businesses for the maximum welfare of the village community and to develop rural economic activities. (WHY)