Provide Initial Fund Of IDR 1.5 Billion, USAID JAPRI Program Helps People With Disabilities, Youth, And Women To Develop Business

JAKARTA - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud) together with the Provincial Government of East Java celebrate the results of a five-year partnership that has helped more than 24,000 young people, mostly women, start businesses or improve their business. profit.

Through the USAID Become an Independent Entrepreneur (USAID JAPRI) program worth US$4.4 million, the United States government has provided training, mentoring, and facilitated funding opportunities for young people, women, and people with disabilities to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

As part of this program, USAID provided initial funding of US$110,000 (approximately IDR 1.5 billion) to 850 women and people with disabilities to help start new businesses or help recover income lost due to COVID-19. USAID is also enhancing digital literacy skills among local trainers and entrepreneurs to make their businesses more sustainable.

"USAID is working hand in hand with Indonesians to end discrimination and promote equal opportunity for thousands of young people, women and people with disabilities to help them realize their full economic potential, build small businesses, and earn better incomes," said USAID Director Jeff Cohen at the Grand Mercure Hotel, Surabaya, East Java, Wednesday 9 February.

Jeff in his written statement, explained that small entrepreneurs or micro-enterprises contribute to the local economy by bringing growth and innovation to the communities where they operate. Micro-enterprises also help stimulate economic growth by providing jobs.

On that occasion Jeff Cohen also explained his vision of equality for women and disabilities.

"Our vision is a prosperous and peaceful world where women and persons with disabilities enjoy equal economic opportunities and are equally empowered to secure safe and prosperous lives for themselves and their families," he said.

On the same occasion, one of the participants from the disability business group, Puji Rahayu, admitted that he was helped by the USAID JAPRI training. Puji, who currently owns a batik business, sees the USAID JAPRI program as an example for other programs for people with disabilities to become more independent.

"The USAID JAPRI training has really helped my business as well as that of other disabled friends to develop. I hope that in the future there will be a similar program that can provide training for people with disabilities so that they are independent and survive during the pandemic," said Puji.