Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM held Young Sociopreneur Competition (SOPREMA) which is aimed at young people from across the region to provide social impact for the poor. At least, more than 200 works of business proposals have been registered, but only 90 proposals are qualified for selection round. The 90 proposals will be selected to next round. "The proposals that passed the qualifying stage are mostly from creative industry," said Managing Director of Soprema, Dr. Hempri Suyatna, in his office, Thursday (4/8).
The judgment of business proposals in this competition, said Hempri, was based on aspects of the process of empowerment of small communities. "We judge by its social effects that will potentially prosper the surrounding community," he said.
Through this competition, UGM is trying to search for talented youths who intend to develop their region through social-oriented businesses.
One of the participants who pass the qualifying stage is Viscoose team from Yogyakarta that takes the focus in the field of youth fashion. This business has been running for 8 months. Social impact is made by empowering local tailors in the Wates area, Kulon Progo regency. "Before starting this venture, we previously conducted a survey. There are many housewives who do not work there and come from poor families. But, in fact they have sewing skills," said Alya, one team member of Viscoose.
Other selected team is Aquaman from Southeast Sulawesi in ecology category. Carrying the TEA program which stands for Tracking Ecowisata Aquaponics, it combines elements of the environment, tourism, and education. "This aquaponics could be a way of travel as well as introducing and maintaining fish farming," said Rino, team member of Aquaman.
Both teams will advance to the next stage to present their business products. Rino from Aquaman team hopes to win the competition. In fact, he hopes eventually there will be other similar competition that could motivate them to continue to try and empower people, "We hope that we can be useful for others," he said.
SOPREMA will be held from September 5th-7th and will be filled with various activities, such as coaching clinic, exhibitions, seminars, and field trips to the area with the sociopreneurship system.