Bappenas: Philanthropy potential needs optimisation for development funding

Dinar Dana Kharisma, Director of Social and Economic Independence at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, stated that Indonesia’s philanthropic potential is vast and must be optimised as a key source of development funding. She noted that government resources alone will be insufficient to address all development challenges, necessitating participation from various parties, including philanthropic institutions and the public. This initiative aligns with efforts to increase the role and visibility of philanthropy within national development planning.

Director Kharisma expressed hope that future philanthropic regulations will be more enabling, moving away from a purely controlling orientation towards an approach focused on guidance, mentoring, and capacity building. The government intends to encourage the drafting of regulations that provide protection while making it easier for the public to contribute, thereby creating a stronger and more conducive philanthropic ecosystem.

Dyah Tri Kumolosari, Acting Deputy for Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, emphasised the importance of building stronger collaborative mechanisms between the government and non-governmental organisations. She stated that the government should act not only as a regulator but also as an enabler to foster a healthy and participatory philanthropic ecosystem.

The discussion also highlighted the need for more open and profound dialogue between the government and philanthropic institutions to directly address field challenges. Bappenas noted several areas for improvement, including streamlining difficult licensing processes, updating regulations to be more adaptive to technological advancements, and strengthening oversight in the distribution of donations to ensure accountability and precision in targeting.