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“Working closely with youth in my village helped me realize the power of small actions. Fish processing is not just a business—it’s a path to dignity, sustainability, and community resilience.”
The whole program aims to help youth have access for meaningful works and opportunities for growth
Main Objectives:
- Re-imagining process to co-create potential access of employment and products;
- Need assessments with industries, education and training institution for potential employment access and product supply;
- Support activities that relevant to personal youth development;
- Support employment services to have well-trained youth, including services delivered through funding options of small community enterprises.
Budiman’s project, implemented through Nusa Bio Diversitas Indonesia, focused on improving employment access for 20 unemployed youth in Meninting Village, West Lombok, by providing work-readiness training and small-scale entrepreneurship opportunities in the fish processing sector. Through a participatory approach, the project identified key challenges faced by the youth, particularly women, such as low educational attainment, limited mobility, and lack of job opportunities near their homes. This led to the establishment of a home-industry-based fish processing business, centered on making products like abon ikan (shredded fish).
The project was delivered in several phases: stakeholder engagement with village officials, re-imagining sessions with youth participants, coordination with relevant government institutions, and a series of six workshops. These covered topics such as GEDSI integration, climate change adaptation, circular economy, and business planning. Practical training on fish processing, cost calculation, packaging, and marketing helped participants build relevant skills. Participants also formed a Joint Business Group (KUBE), selected a product, and organized their own business structure. Collaborations were built with the fisheries department, UMKM Bale Empaq, and other agencies to ensure ongoing support beyond the project’s duration.
The project had a notable impact: women took on leadership roles, confidence among participants increased, and stronger community ties were built through collaboration and shared learning. Budiman’s leadership was strengthened, and the project’s sustainability was secured through support from the New Zealand Embassy Fund. The project was shared widely via local forums, social media, international events (such as the World Wildlife Day Youth Symposium), and media outlets including BaKTI News, promoting the initiative and inspiring replication elsewhere.
