May 2024: Latest Update on Indonesia

COVID-19 UPDATE

  • As of mid-2024, Indonesia has effectively controlled the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significantly fewer cases compared to previous years, though the long-term health and economic impacts are still being managed​ 
  • Indonesia's GDP growth rate slowed to 5.0% in 2023, down from 5.3% in 2022, and is projected to remain at 5.0% in 2024 due to softening commodity prices and normalised domestic demand​ 
  • The national poverty rate increased to 10.43% in 2023, up from 9.71% in 2022, reversing some progress made in poverty reduction before the pandemic​ 
  • Youth unemployment remains high at 14.39% in 2023, nearly double the average for the Asia-Pacific region, despite efforts to reduce these rates over the past two decades​ 
  • Income inequality has widened, as lower-income households and women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic's economic impacts, exacerbating the income gap between genders​

    EAST BALI POVERTY PROJECT (EBPP)

    EBPP is working in the mountainous and remote areas of Bali, in 6 remote villages of East Bali, and runs a very holistic and multifaceted empowerment programme for young people 12 to 19 years old. EMpower’s grant to EBPP aims to extend school attendance and prevent dropouts among 192 young people by enhancing their knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), strengthening life skills, and offering project-based learning opportunities.

    All 23 returning participants have completed secondary education, and 85 out of 95 returning participants have advanced to the next grade level. The program has successfully promoted gender equality awareness, with 38 of 42 new participants being able to articulate the impacts of gender inequality and 30 of 33 returning participants completing research projects on the topic. Additionally, leadership and social connections have been strengthened through student councils and projects such as the PhotoVoices Expansion Project. In terms of skills acquisition, many participants have learned essential computer skills, including proficiency in Word, Excel, and basic web design. Participants have also demonstrated increased knowledge in health by their ability to measure nutritional status.

    The current grant activities focus on extending school time for 192 young people, preventing dropouts, and enhancing their knowledge on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The program includes youth-led advocacy to change customary laws on marriage, strengthening life skills, and setting up a new online career library. Project-based learning opportunities, facilitated through student councils, encourage creative thinking and leadership among participants. These efforts collectively aim to build a resilient and well-equipped youth community in East Bali .

     

    ROLE Foundation

    The ROLE Foundation (Rivers, Oceans, Land, and Ecology) was established in 2007 as an environmental learning and conservation initiative. The Bali WISE program under ROLE, focuses on women's economic empowerment by providing marginalised Indonesian women with vocational training in the hospitality sector and life skills development, facilitating their access to skilled employment and helping break the poverty cycle.

    EMpower's grant to the ROLE Foundation have supported over 600 women to complete vocational and life skills training, resulting in improved employability and health knowledge. The current grant activities continue to support this hospitality training program and pilot a new digital marketing training. This initiative will directly benefit 160 young women, while approximately 55 adults, including teachers, government staff, and community leaders, will benefit indirectly through their involvement in the Bali WISE project. These efforts aim to equip young women with the skills needed to secure formal, skilled employment in both the hospitality and digital marketing sectors, thereby enhancing their economic well-being.