INKURI: Initiating Empowerment and Sustainability for Balinese Youth
Bali has long been known as an island for its paradise-like scenery and unrivaled natural beauty. However, what lies beneath the surface is an island living through constant environmental pressure and overdependence on the tourism industry. Though the recent pandemic has enabled a short break from the usual fast-paced and consumptive life, it has undoubtedly caused the economy to take a hard hit. It was clear that appropriate action must be taken.
Thus became the reason behind the initiation of INKURI in Bali, or Inkubator Usaha Lestari (Sustainability Entrepreneurship Incubator), as an effort to address this problem. 57 aspiring individuals were given an ample amount of knowledge and opportunities through INKURI. Weekly workshops and mentoring were held to ensure that participants received optimal attention and opportunities to help develop their business ideas, as well as in-person visits to some already existing businesses in the sustainability field.
Online Course
The program kickstarted its first phase with a row of online-held webinars, inviting an array of amazing speakers and leaders of the sustainability movements such as Gita Syahrani from Lingkar Temu Kabupaten Lestari (LTKL), Dicky Senda from Lakoat.Kujawas, Muhammad Fauzal Rizki from Impact Hub, and many more. For the first month, a total of 279 participants were taught about the basics of environmental sustainability, as well as the importance of developing businesses that would benefit the local community around them. This included subjects regarding climate change, the foundations of sustainability, and even circular economies. The webinars instantly grabbed the participants’ attention towards the issue, inspiring them to take action in their unique ways.
INKURI online course (doc/PBF)
Entrepreneurship Training
Once the online courses ended, it was time to start Phase 2, where a total of 23 business ideas consisting of 57 individuals were picked for an opportunity to bring their ideas to life. The workshops were done in person, thus making them greatly more interactive and engaging. For the past 3 months, the participants were given first-hand mentoring and training by the INKURI team regarding the ways to develop the foundations of their businesses.
The participants began phase 2 with a leadership training session to look within themselves and how their skills and passions could potentially make the world a better place. Next, there were three important points to be sharpened in this phase:
The focus of issue they wanted to tackle
Target market and target beneficiaries
The solutions that answer the needs of the target market and their beneficiaries
The participants were given tools to help them build on their Ethical Business Model Canvas. One of their important tasks was to interview their target markets and target beneficiaries. Each workshop consisted of various activities, including presentations, team discussions, problem-solving case studies, and even personal mentoring with the INKURI team themselves. If participants feel that the weekly workshops were not sufficient, they could meet up and conduct further personal mentoring with the INKURI team as their mentors.
INKURI Participant during the activity of Module 5 (11/12) (doc/PBF)
Field trip
During the Entrepreneurship Training of Phase 2, the participants had the opportunity to visit and learn from already existing sustainable businesses. The field trip was done twice, the first aiming to introduce the participants to different issues in society, and the second focusing on the solutions people have taken in facing the aforementioned issues. The first field trip was divided into five locations, them being North Bali Reef Conservation, Astungkara Way, Bali Street Mums, Madeefficient, and East Bali Bamboo Bikes. The second round of field trips was done in four locations, which were JendraNath, Get Plastic, Fortuna Songket Sidemen, and Yasminida Bali. Every visited organization is well-accomplished and experts in their field, providing the participants with myriads of new knowledge and skills. This included fun little activities such as learning how to build artificial coral reefs, how to transform used plastic into oil, and how to use natural dye in the making of the traditional art of Songket. Other than this, they were also encouraged to collaborate with the local communities while developing their business to ensure that they stay true to their roots.
INKURI Participants during their visit to Astungkara Way (8/1) (doc/PBF)
With Phase 2 coming to an end, 12 best business ideas will be picked to continue to the third and final phase of the program, where they will earn the chance for further training and mentoring in the next 6 months to grow their business even more. Once they have completed the phase, they will present their business ideas in a special Demo Day, where they pitch their business ideas in front of experts and professionals. Until then, INKURI will continue to closely monitor their progress, ensuring nothing but the best for these thriving youth who will undoubtedly pave the way for a greener future of this island.