Period: January 2025 to January 2026.
Main donor: Adaptation Fund-EU-UNDP Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA).
Total amount of funding: USD 110,000
#1 Improving resilience of the most vulnerable groups – the women, elderly, and widows:
A cooperative called Koperasi Simpan Pinjam Tumbuh Bersama Utan was established with the aim of providing 0% interest loans to the most vulnerable members of the community, including elderly people, widows, and persons with disabilities. The cooperative currently has over 100 members, consisting of 70% women and 30% men. To date, more than IDR 300 million has been distributed to support members in starting or expanding their small businesses, helping them avoid high-interest debts. Zero-interest micro-loans and mentoring for women will empower marginalized groups to establish small businesses, creating a resilient local economy. The interest-free loan was made possible by the support of the UNDP-AFCIA.
Initially, the cooperative focused on developing silvofishery products (such as milkfish and shrimps) processing businesses, producing items such as soft-bone milkfish, ebifurai, fish floss, fish balls, and dim sum.
Over time, members have also diversified into other small-scale enterprises, including selling vegetables, fish, phone credit and tokens, folded goods, corn-based snacks, and traditional cakes and cookies. In addition, the cooperative has developed a pickup truck rental business to support members’ logistics and income generation.
The cooperative has also received various forms of support, including training programs, one operational motorcycle, one pick up truck, and several pieces of equipment such as freezers, vacuum sealers, refrigerators, cool boxes, and stoves.
Let’s get to know more about some of the Cooperative’s members
Have you ever wondered, how much loan would support rural and coastal women as their stepping stone to climb the resilience ladder? Having conversations over and over and listening to them, it is very surprising that actually they do not need much. Just around IDR 2,000,000 to 5,000,000 is what they need. But even this small amount is difficult for them to get because of high-interest lurking. They are afraid of being trapped in a never-ending loan. So when the cooperative offered a 0% interest loan with very small memberships savings, they felt more confident to take some loan to start or expand their small and micro enterprise. Keep on smiling Ibu and Bapak! Let’s support each other through our journey to become more resilient in every aspect.
#2. Improving resilience of kelompok nelayan (fishers)
We continue supporting silvofishery in Utan Subdistrict. We revitalized abandoned fishponds into silvofisheries, integrating mangrove rehabilitation with aquaculture production (milkfish and shrimp). We focused our efforts on rehabilitating unproductive fishponds, eliminating the need to clear or damage existing mangrove ecosystems to develop the silvofishery. Instead, we deepened the existing trenches and planted mangroves in the middle of the ponds. The construction was funded by a private company called Yamamoto Lumber Forest. This project, supported by AFCIA, included the installation of pumping and piping systems, provision of shrimp and milkfish fingerlings and feed, and rehabilitation of the guard house to ensure proper maintenance and management of the site.
#3. Supporting a woman-led seaweed-based enterprise: Radiant Sea
Dwi Safitri’s journey began during her undergraduate studies, when she first researched Padina sp., a brown seaweed species commonly found along Indonesia’s coasts. She was fascinated by its rich natural compounds—particularly alginate, fucoidan, antioxidants, and vitamins—that are known for their excellent moisturizing, anti-aging, and skin-repairing properties. These characteristics make Padina sp. especially suitable for cosmetic applications, offering a natural and sustainable alternative to many commercial ingredients.
Inspired by her research findings, Dwi decided to transform the potential of Padina sp. into a locally made beauty product: RADIANT SEA. Starting with small batches, she experimented with formulations that preserved the seaweed’s natural benefits while creating a product that was safe, effective, and appealing to customers. Her dedication and scientific background helped her overcome early challenges in standardizing quality and ensuring consistency.
Through support from UNDP-AFCIA, Dwi was able to take a major step forward. The assistance enabled her to scale up production significantly—reaching 1,000 bottles—while improving packaging, testing, and market readiness. This milestone not only strengthened her small business but also demonstrated how local marine resources, when combined with innovation and the right support, can create sustainable economic opportunities and provide employment opportunities for other women.
Today, Dwi continues to develop and refine her product, proudly showcasing Padina sp. as a valuable coastal resource with both scientific and economic promise.
#4. Mobile Coffee Shop in Labuhan Bajo, Utan, Sumbawa (ongoing)
Brewing Opportunities: A Community Coffee Shop Takes Root in Labuhan Bajo Village
In Labuhan Bajo Village, a small coffee shop has quickly become a symbol of opportunity, collaboration, and youth-led enterprise.
The journey began with a mentoring session on coffee shop management, facilitated by Yuhii Coffee. Two young participants—one woman and one man—took part in hands-on training covering essential skills such as basic bookkeeping, product pricing, and beverage preparation. What made this initiative especially powerful was the ripple effect: the two trainees went on to share their knowledge with the rest of the team, which includes three men and four women. Today, ten young people are actively involved in running the coffee shop.
The coffee shop was officially launched on 20 September 2025, drawing more than 50 community members and local leaders, including the Head of Utan Subdistrict and the Head of Labuhan Bajo Village. Their presence reflected strong local support and a shared belief in youth entrepreneurship and community-based businesses.
Managed by the cooperative, the coffee shop was created to diversify local income sources, create jobs for young people, and provide a direct market outlet for silvofishery and local products. Although the business has only just opened, the early results are encouraging. In its first week, the coffee shop sold around 560 cups of beverages, generating approximately IDR 5.6 million (USD 350). Sales of food and silvofishery products added another IDR 2.8 million (USD 175).
These early successes show how targeted mentoring, local partnerships, and cooperative-led initiatives can translate into real economic opportunities—one cup at a time.
#5. Silvofishery Learning Space (ongoing)