The Indonesian government has introduced two targeted development initiatives designed to improve business skills and expand financing options for young female entrepreneurs running ultra-micro businesses. Launched at the Bappenas Tower in Jakarta, the Youth Ultra-Micro Entrepreneurs Empowerment (YUMEE) and the Entrepreneurial Skills Development Fund (ESDF) programmes aim to address critical gaps in market access and funding.
The joint venture is a collaborative effort between Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Indonesia. Speaking at the launch event, Maliki, the Deputy for Community Empowerment, Population, and Employment at Bappenas, outlined the operational intent of the new initiatives. He stated: “YUMEE and ESDF were not created merely as pilot projects, but as innovations that connect skills and financing to the right people, at the right time, and in the right way,”
Financed by the Singapore-based Temasek Foundation, the YUMEE initiative focuses heavily on business development coaching and operational training for women running ultra-micro firms. Alongside this, the ESDF project will test alternative financial models to fund corporate skill development. This component operates under the Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection UN Joint Programme and receives its financial backing from the Joint SDG Fund.
The schemes intend to offer structured assistance to help female business leaders bypass typical structural challenges, including inadequate networking circles, minimal training options and poor credit avenues. Amrin Amin, Head of Corporate Development at Temasek Foundation, commented on the social expectations of the project during the rollout. He said: “YUMEE invites us to reflect on a simple question: What happens when talented individuals are given not only determination and hard work, but also the opportunity to thrive? It is not simply about helping their businesses grow, but about ensuring that young people can see hope in their future and have an equal opportunity to pursue it. A society becomes stronger when everyone believes they have a place and a chance to succeed,”
Organisers will run the pilot programmes for 12 months across five separate provinces, specifically Central Java, DKI Jakarta, West Sulawesi, Central Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara. Sujala Pant, the Deputy Resident Representative for UNDP Indonesia, noted that standard business frameworks frequently ignore the unique barriers faced by female startup leads. She said: “Too often, women entrepreneurs are expected to succeed despite barriers that make growth much harder, from limited access to finance and training to fewer professional networks and business opportunities. Through YUMEE and ESDF, we are bringing together government, financial institutions, universities, civil society, and communities to help close those gaps. When women have access to the right support at the right time, their businesses can grow, create jobs, and strengthen local economies,”
Data gathered during the one-year trial will serve as a foundation for broader national strategies. Government planners hope the final insights will lead to more flexible social safety policies and sustainable economic integration models across regional Indonesia.
