One of the main challenges of civil society organizations is independence in obtaining independent and sustainable income. PWYP Indonesia, a coalition organization that realizes similar challenges, seeks to develop economic independence to support the coalition’s work. Therefore, the PWYP Indonesia National Secretariat held a Workshop on preparing the Organization’s Economic Independence Roadmap last Monday (20/09). This activity aims to discuss the roadmap and strategies needed. Also present were representatives from coalition members of 29 organizations and the PWYP Indonesia steering committee.

Aryanto Nugroho, PWYP Indonesia’s National Coordinator, in his opening remarks, explained that this forum was intended for socialization as well as consultation regarding the roadmap for the organization’s economic independence development strategy that the PWYP Indonesia National Secretariat had prepared for the next four years.

“PWYP Indonesia, in this case, gets support from the Ford Foundation through the BUILD program, which covers two areas, namely capacity building, and organizational independence,” Aryanto said.

Furthermore, Aryanto explained that PWYP Indonesia had previously compiled 5-year Project Milestones, where in the first year, several activities were carried out, starting from the assessment of coalition needs, preparation of a Strategic Plan (Renstra), and conducting a round of capacity building activities including *digital security* training, advocacy, and workshop on financial standard ISAK 35. According to Aryanto, these training activities will be continued in the coming months.

As for the second year (2021-2022), the Build program activities, as explained by Aryanto in his presentation, will focus on the follow-up of various capacity-building activities, business development design (Business Development Design), Knowledge Sharing System, New Business Enterprises, and the establishment of the Entrepreneurship Center.

In general, Aryanto explained that the business development strategy is creating a new business unit that will involve the role of the national secretariat and members of the PWYP Indonesia coalition. The business unit includes consulting/training services and a retail business unit that will sell products from community empowerment. While the Entrepreneur Center will focus on organizing supporting activities ranging from assistance (assistant/mentoring) and training (training) to business development and awarding (award) for each member involved.

Aryanto hopes that with this initiative, each coalition member, both those who do not yet and those who already have a business unit, can develop the potential of their products and expand access to markets (market), capital (capital), and the necessary networks and partnerships (networks & partnerships).

The strategy of developing economic independence for this organization, said Aryanto, “is in line with Article 16 Paragraph 2 of the PWYP Indonesia Statute, where the National Coordinator together with the Governing Board is mandated to encourage the independence and sustainability of PWYP Indonesia as a coalition while still being guided by the basic principles of the organization and code of ethics such as good corporate governance and corporate sustainability.”

Agung Budiono, as a Member of the PWYP Indonesia Governing Board, expressed the view that in running a business, the most important thing is execution. He states, “PWYP Indonesia already has a basic foundation (baseline) of member-owned commodities that can be monetized.” So, he suggested that PWYP Indonesia can realize the program and strategy while walking (*learning by doing*).

Meanwhile, Wasingatu Zakiyah, a PWYP Indonesia Steering Committee member, reminded us that the mindset built-in business differs from advocacy. So professional personnel are needed and get full support from all members to be better prepared when launched.

Aryanto, who absorbed the aspirations and experiences of each representative of the organizations present, closed his discussion by concluding that this plan was a test for the PWYP Indonesia coalition to “upgrade.” So, he hopes for support from all members so that this initiative can be executed immediately. (CRA)

Author:
Chitra Regina Apris

Reviewer:
Meliana Lumbantoruan