BRI Peduli's AURA Programme Helps Business Group Open Economic Opportunities
In Cibubuan Village, Conggeang District, Sumedang Regency, the Harapan Bersama business group, chaired by Sri Dolar Damayanti, grew from a simple home-based enterprise into a vehicle for economic empowerment for the surrounding community.
The group was officially formed in 2019, originating from the growth of HJ. NONOH Snack, which has been producing traditional Sundanese snacks since 2014. The group’s presence became a new source of hope for its members, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amid the economic constraints caused by the pandemic, the Harapan Bersama business group provided an opportunity for local residents to keep working, earn an income, and help support their families’ livelihoods.
Using recipes passed down through generations, the Harapan Bersama business group processes a variety of traditional Sundanese snacks, including original melinjo chips, opak, grilled glutinous rice opak, puffed opak, raginang, kolontong, and various types of crisps. By maintaining authentic flavours and product quality, the group’s products have become increasingly well-known and sought after by the public.
As market demand increased, especially ahead of religious holidays and the New Year, the Harapan Bersama business group faced various challenges in its production process.
“The biggest challenge we face is increasing production capacity to meet market demand, especially during certain seasons such as religious holidays and the New Year. In addition, the production process carries greater risk during the rainy season because we still rely on sun-drying and have limited drying equipment,” said Sri in a written statement on Sunday (16/8/2026).
In 2026, the Harapan Bersama business group joined as a beneficiary of the AURA (Aspire to Uplift, Revive, and Achieve) Programme initiated by BRI Peduli. The programme reflects BRI Peduli’s commitment to strengthening the capacity of MSMEs so they can develop their businesses while optimising the economic potential emerging from the community.
Through the support of the AURA Programme, the Harapan Bersama business group’s production process has become more optimal. The group no longer depends entirely on the weather for drying, allowing production activities to run more smoothly, including when market demand rises. The product storage system has also become more organised, tidy, and hygienic, helping to maintain product quality.
“After participating in BRI’s AURA Programme, our production process has become smoother and has increased. The drying process no longer depends on sunlight, while the storage system has become better, tidier, and more hygienic. As a result, several regular customers, such as shops and distributors, have started to increase their order quantities,” she added.
The increase in production capacity has also helped drive the group’s business development. With a more efficient production process, the Harapan Bersama business group is able to meet customer demand more optimally. Several regular customers, such as shops and distributors, have even begun increasing their order volumes, providing greater business opportunities for group members.
Sri emphasised that support for MSMEs in rural areas plays an important role in encouraging the growth of businesses based on local potential. She hopes that more business groups will have the opportunity to develop through coaching, business capacity strengthening, and easier access to financial services reaching remote villages.
“We are also grateful to have been a partner and customer of BRI all this time because we have received capital facilities and coaching. Hopefully, in the future, BRI will remain a business partner for everyone and we can continue to grow and develop together with BRI,” she concluded.
On a separate occasion, BRI Corporate Secretary Dhanny said that through the AURA Programme from BRI Peduli, the company continues to strengthen the role of women as economic drivers through various empowerment efforts, ranging from skills improvement and business development to strengthening entrepreneurial capacity.
“The story of the Harapan Bersama business group in Sumedang shows that BRI Peduli’s AURA Programme is able to provide real benefits for women’s business groups to continue innovating, increasing business capacity, and developing sustainably. We hope this programme can continue to encourage the emergence of more resilient women who are able to drive the economy of their families and communities,” said Dhanny.
To date, the AURA Programme from BRI Peduli, launched in 2021, has empowered 30 women’s business groups in various regions of Indonesia as a manifestation of BRI Peduli’s commitment to supporting women’s empowerment and inclusive economic growth.