“We hope village youth don’t just scroll through TikTok, Instagram or Facebook. If they have creativity and ideas, let’s encourage them to become YouTubers,” said Teguh Hadi Sulistiono, the ministry’s director for Infrastructure and Facilities Harmonization, on Tuesday.
He said the Village YouTuber Festival is designed to cultivate rural digital creators who can showcase local products, highlight cultural assets and strengthen the community economy by tapping into the country’s fast-growing online audience.
In his presentation, Sulistiono stressed that the festival is not merely a contest but a platform for rural youth to create meaningful content while contributing directly to development efforts in their hometowns.
The festival aims to empower young people as agents of change through digital storytelling that highlights village potential, including traditions, leading commodities, tourist attractions and natural resources.
Content produced under the program will also support the 12 action plans of the “Build the Village” initiative, which focuses on developing Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), boosting tourism villages, promoting climate resilience, expanding energy-independent villages and strengthening export-oriented communities.
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Sulistiono said young Indonesians show strong interest in digital media, making the festival an entry point to nurture their creativity while building practical skills relevant to today’s digital economy.
“The goal is to encourage the rise of rural digital creators who can promote local potential and share inspiring stories from village communities,” he said.
The ministry also hopes participants will build networks with fellow rural creators, turning the festival into a collaborative ecosystem that elevates the role of young people as digital ambassadors for their villages.
The program is open to rural youth across Indonesia, with video submissions accepted from November 10 to December 25, 2025, allowing ample time for communities to mobilize participants.
Participants will join a welcoming session and coaching clinic on November 26–27, where industry professionals will provide training on content development, monetization strategies and video-editing techniques to help young creators produce compelling digital work.
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Translator: Tri, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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