On August 5, 2021, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM), in collaboration with the Academic Community of Universitas Bung Karno (UBK) and the Bung Karno University Alumni Association (KAMI UBK / IKA UBK), hosted an empowering webinar entitled "Revitalizing Public Optimism and Hope Amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic Through the Spirit of Social Entrepreneurship."

Broadcast virtually via Zoom, the webinar welcomed 100 participants representing diverse sectors, including YIIM program beneficiaries, university students, homemakers, social advocates, and the broader public.

This online seminar represented the continuation of a strategic institutional partnership established in 2020 between YIIM and UBK through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) awarding full undergraduate university scholarships to two YIIM entrepreneurship alumni: Humam Hasan (YIIM barista graduate) and Hermanto (YIIM barber graduate). Both are currently enrolled as second-semester students in the Faculty of Economics at Universitas Bung Karno.

The forum featured KH. Maman Imanulhaq Faqih (Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives/DPR RI) as keynote speaker, alongside four distinguished experts: Dr. Didik Suhariyanto, S.H., M.H., Rector of Universitas Bung Karno; Dewi Astari, Secretary of the Board of YIIM; Bramanto Setyo Laksono, General Chairperson of KAMI UBK; and Hermanto, YIIM barber alumnus and UBK scholarship recipient.

In his keynote address, KH. Maman Imanulhaq Faqih emphasized: "Collaborative action across civil society movements is critically needed to mitigate the multidimensional impacts of Covid-19, especially the severe economic and psychological hardships endured by grassroots communities. It is equally vital to encourage millennials to engage actively in social entrepreneurship, leveraging their digital literacy and social media prowess."

In the opening panel presentation, Dr. Didik Suhariyanto, S.H., M.H., Rector of UBK, remarked: "We must continually build self-reliance and enhance competitiveness within our national economy, notably through entrepreneurship. Self-reliance is nurtured in an open economy integrated with global markets. It is an inner mindset that empowers individuals to act autonomously out of conviction and regulate themselves in harmony with their rights and responsibilities, resolving life’s hurdles without depending on outside charity."

Second panelist Dewi Astari, Secretary of the Board of YIIM, stated: "Presently, YIIM focuses on the social entrepreneurship paradigm, where our vocational training graduates are guided not only toward commercial profit, but toward generating social benefits for society at large. A tangible demonstration is our virtual masterclasses taught directly by alumni and facilitated by YIIM, such as classes in barista brewing, cosmetology, healthy chicken noodle production, and barbering. We hope these endeavors elevate public optimism to establish grassroots businesses amid the pandemic."

Third panelist Bramanto Setyo Laksono, General Chairperson of KAMI UBK, observed: "Amidst the pandemic and strict lockdown measures, we must unceasingly maintain our entrepreneurial vigor and positivity. Beyond technical expertise, the primary pillar is an enduring entrepreneurial mindset coupled with continuous innovation to ensure business continuity through tough times."

The presentations were capped by an inspiring testimonial from Hermanto, YIIM barber alumnus and UBK scholarship student: "As a barbershop owner impacted by Covid-19, we felt the sharp decline in foot traffic and revenue. Yet, we maintained our resilience and adapted through continuous service innovation. I am immensely grateful to YIIM and UBK for granting me the opportunity to study at university, knowledge I will apply toward expanding Barbershop Inspirasi and training fellow correctional clients."

This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Inclusive Economic Growth for All).

The webinar proceeded warmly over two hours from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM WIB, marked by animated Q&A sessions touching upon business seed grant mechanisms from YIIM and survival strategies for micro-enterprises navigating mobility restrictions.

Through this webinar, YIIM hopes the social entrepreneurship spirit ignites grassroots determination to emerge as self-reliant business actors. Enduring collaboration among civil society, academia, and state institutions remains essential to driving upward socio-economic mobility for grassroots communities.

Salam Inspirasi!