British Council participated in several sessions focusing on social entrepreneurship and creative economies at the Indonesia Development Forum (IDF) 2019, organised by National Development Planning Agency (BAPPENAS) on 21-22 July 2019. At a time when the world is undergoing changes in job market demand and facing challenges in youth underemployment, social enterprise provides an opportunity to create inclusive jobs opportunities for young people and marginalised communities.
At the INSPIRE Special Session on ‘Social Enterprise Policy Consultation’ hosted by British Council, Leonardo Sambodo, Director of Industry, Tourism and Creative Economy at BAPPENAS, ensured that the government will continue to be actively involved in supporting social enterprise. Currently, business with social impact is part of BAPPENAS strategy to reduce poverty and improve economic growth.
Baroness Glenys Thornton, a member of UK parliament and Founding Chair of Social Enterprise UK, expressed her amazement towards the vibrant landscape of social entrepreneurship sector in Indonesia. She elaborated that for social enterprise to be a sustainable sector, it’s salient for independent group of social entrepreneurs to push for government support to provide special funding scheme, education for innovators, and legislative framework for business ecosystem with social impacts. Baronnes Glenys Thornton delivered her presentation at INSPIRE Plenary 1 focusing on ‘Growth and Jobs’, along with Ricky Joseph Pesik, Deputy Head of Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf) and Handry Satriago, CEO of GE Indonesia.
Maria Radyati, Founding Director of MM-Sustainability at Trisakti University) also highlighted the pivotal role of collaboration between institutions in strengthening ecosystem of social entrepreneurship. This ecosystem consisted of regulatory support, sustainable funding and education for young innovators need to continue to be built. The spirit of creating inclusive economy is also celebrated by Jo Verrent (Producer UK Unlimited), one of the speakers at Inspire Session 3 about inclusive workspaces and job opportunities. Working with 280 disable artist from various arts sectors, Jo accentuated the powerful impact of art performances and creative works in fighting negative stigma targeted to disable artists.
Last year in December, British Council, BAPPENAS, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Platform Usaha Sosial (PLUS) launch the first social enterprise landscape study in Indonesia. The research shows that 69% workforce of Indonesian social enterprise is estimated to be made up of women. Read the full report here