The involvement of women and youth is to ensure that they can play an active role in economic development in the village
Kupang (ANTARA) - Three districts in East Nusa Tenggara will pilot a new program which aims to expedite the economic development of rural communities through the development of village-owned businesses (BUMDes), an official said.

The ‘Enabling Civil Society for Inclusive Village Economic Development’ or ENVISION program was launched virtually on Thursday.

According to national director of Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI), Doseba T Sinay, the program is supported by the European Union and aims to assist civil society businesses and women’s and youth groups so they can contribute to village development.

“The involvement of women and youth is to ensure that they can play an active role in economic development in the village,” he said.

The ENVISION project aims to strengthen civil society organizations and aid the management of village-owned enterprises (BUMDes) in 50 villages in three districts — East Sumba, South Central Timor, and Kupang, he informed.

For the project, WVI, in collaboration with the Alfa Omega Foundation, will provide assistance of Rp16.6 billion to 15 villages in East Sumba district, 15 villages in Southern Central Timor district, and 20 villages in Kupang district.

The program will help village administrations utilize village funds to bring about inclusive economic development, Sinay noted.

He said he hoped that with better assistance, BUMDes in East Nusa Tenggara would develop, thus contributing to the economic development of rural communities.

Mentoring activities will be carried out for 42 months under the new program and different kinds of training will be provided to 50 civil society organizations, 50 village-owned enterprises, and 250 village facilitators.

Meanwhile, the Village Community Empowerment Program Coordinator for East Nusa Tenggara province, Kandidatus Angge, voiced his support for the ENVISION project for the development of BUMDes.

“We support this program because it will assist the government in accelerating community economic development by optimizing the role of BUMDes in the economic development of rural communities in East Nusa Tenggara,” he remarked. (INE)


Related news: Other regions can emulate C Kalimantan food estate development: Jokowi

Related news: C Kalimantan's food estate expansion over 30,000-ha land area: Jokowi

EDITED BY INE

Translator: Benediktus Sridin Sulu Jahang/
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020