The collaboration between the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and the Pertamina Foundation has birthed a transformative program aimed at bolstering the community’s economy and nurturing non-timber commodities to bolster green conservation efforts within the Special Purpose Forest Area of Ngrawoh Village, Blora Regency.
From skills honing to eco-friendly innovation, community empowerment endeavors have been broad-reaching. To fortify the program’s execution, the UGM faculty and the Pertamina Foundation have disbursed incentive grants to three pivotal groups on Wednesday (Jan. 24): farmer-livestock, women’s, and youth groups.
“This underscores UGM’s commitment. We bring knowledge, the Pertamina Foundation provides resources, and the community’s indomitable spirit propels us forward,” remarked Dr. Arie Sujito, the UGM Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni.
At the grant allocation ceremony hosted at Ngrawoh Village Hall, Dr. Sujito underscored the community’s pivotal role as a nexus for collective growth. He stressed the essence of self-reliance as a cornerstone of empowerment, hoping that the aid bestowed would be collectively managed and serve as a springboard for communal prosperity.
“Our assistance isn’t merely for immediate consumption but aims to stimulate development. Whether to address pressing issues or share success stories, it’s all about fostering collaboration. Community success is our shared triumph,” he emphasized.
These sentiments resonated with Dr. Fina Itriyati, the Vice Dean for Research and Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences.
“We aspire for self-sufficiency to emanate from within the community. Education empowers innovation,” she elucidated.
The farmer-livestock groups received business development incentives, including 45 sheep and essential equipment. Equipment facilitating chip and batik jumputan production—like high-pressure stoves, slicing tools, and sealers—was provided for the women’s groups.
Meanwhile, the youth groups were equipped with electronic essentials such as laptops, tripods, and mobile phones to aid in fostering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Ngrawoh Village through research and marketing ventures.
“Our optimism knows no bounds, and we’ll progress step by step with UGM’s guidance,” expressed Heru, representing the farmer-livestock group.
The village officials expressed profound gratitude for this empowerment initiative.
“We take immense pride in UGM’s commitment to our residents’ welfare. The assistance rendered is not just tangible; it’s a pledge of invaluable knowledge and insights. We’re entrusted with preserving and nurturing this gift,” affirmed Purwondo, the Village Head of Ngrawoh.
UGM’s concerted effort to foster community partnerships in empowerment programs underscores its dedication to advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.