A unique programme is using social enterprise expertise from the Scottish island of Skye to inspire Indonesian communities.
“Inclusive Islands” is boosting Indonesia’s impact support ecosystem by uniting social enterprise experience from the island communities of Scotland to Indonesia – the world’s largest island archipelago.
As part of British Council’s DICE (Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies) programme, 20 social entrepreneurs from across Indonesia have come together, all running social enterprises in creative areas including; tourism, crafts, and publishing.
The programme will even out the distribution of support for social enterprise in Indonesia, developing participants as strong community leaders that will contribute beyond their own organisation – helping to build the social and creative enterprise ecosystem in their local area.
The first stage of Inclusive Islands, a 5-day social enterprise bootcamp, took place at Impact Hub Jakarta in July 2019 and was delivered by Social Enterprise Academy Facilitator, Anne Martin, who herself is a creative social entrepreneur and established Scottish Gaelic singer from the Isle of Skye.
Throughout the 5-day bootcamp, participants looked at the role cultural identity plays in social enterprise, as well as exploring key themes and challenges around social enterprise and leadership.
The bootcamp also included a social enterprise panel with guest speakers from local social enterprise support organisations including; British Council Indonesia, Impact Hub Jakarta, Social Investment Indonesia, Campaign.com, UKM Indonesia, and Social Corporate Lawyer Society (Socolas).
Nazia Ali, Head of International at the Social Enterprise Academy, said:
We’re thrilled to be collaborating with PLUS (Platform Usaha Sosial) and British Council Indonesia on Inclusive Islands. The programme has allowed creative social entrepreneurs from all corners of Indonesia to come together and form a community that strengthens their resolve and solidifies their commitment to social change on their own islands.
Stephanie Arifin, Director of PLUS (Platform Usaha Sosial), said:
The enthusiasm of the participants and the bond they formed with each other brings us comfort and assurance on the longevity of the community they will build, beyond our project timeline or constraints.
Their dedication and passion not just for their social enterprise, but also for the community in their own rights, are inspiring and we are thrilled to be a part of the process.
As iron sharpens iron, we can continue to build each other up for a stronger social enterprise and social enterprise community in Indonesia.
To find out more about the Social Enterprise Academy’s work in Indonesia as part of British Council’s DICE programme, please visit: https://www.socialenterprise.academy/
Image: Social Enterprise Academy