Central Java Launches Youth Empowerment Pilot Project to Tackle Poverty

They are not simply given assistance; they are prepared to acquire skills, businesses, and income that can improve their families’ welfare.

This model is being implemented through the Pilot Project for Self-Reliant and Prosperous Villages/Sub-districts Based on Youth Empowerment, which was launched by Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin Maimoen, representing Governor Ahmad Luthfi, in Semanggi Sub-district, Pasar Kliwon District, Surakarta City, as part of the 81st Anniversary of Central Java Province.

Taj Yasin said the pilot project is designed to test how youth empowerment can become part of the poverty alleviation strategy at the village and sub-district level.

The programme targets residents aged 16-30 from families in deciles 1-4. Based on the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) in January 2026, there are 3,493,309 youths in Central Java who fall into this group.

Taj Yasin said youths were chosen as an important part of the pilot project because they have the ability to expand business markets, including through digital technology.

The pilot project is being implemented in eight villages and sub-districts: Semanggi, Nusukan, and Mojosongo Sub-districts in Surakarta City; Winduaji Village in Brebes Regency; Belik and Mendelem Villages in Pemalang Regency; Rejosari Village in Demak Regency; and Ngawen Village in Blora Regency.

Taj Yasin stressed that the programme does not use a straightforward aid-giving approach. Each group will first undergo an assessment to identify needs, experience, and potential. After that, they receive training and mentoring before receiving business support.

“This assistance is not given directly. We assess first. What are the needs?” said Taj Yasin in a written statement on Wednesday (19/8/2026).

“What experience does the group already have? We provide training first, we provide mentoring first,” he continued.

Taj Yasin said this approach is important so that the assistance provided does not run out after being received. Instead, the assistance must develop into productive activities that can increase the income of beneficiaries.

“With the hope that the assistance we provide does not decrease, but can rise or increase,” said Taj Yasin.

Taj Yasin asked all pilot project areas to ensure the programme does not stop after the assistance is distributed. Every assistance provided must continue to be monitored and supervised.

Deputy Mayor of Surakarta, Astrid Widayani, welcomed the empowerment model. According to her, poverty alleviation cannot be achieved through assistance alone, but must build the capability and independence of the community.

“We all want youths not only to be beneficiaries but to become actors of development who have skills, jobs or businesses, income, and ultimately are able to improve their families’ welfare,” said Astrid.

Astrid hopes the pilot project will not stop at the launch, but will become the beginning of sustainable mentoring and joint work so that it can become a model developed in other areas.

To support this process, the Central Java Provincial Government has prepared various interventions according to the needs of the community in the pilot project areas.

Economic support includes the Social and Economic Empowerment Programme (PPSE) worth Rp145 million, capital assistance for Joint Business Groups (Kube) worth Rp480 million for 24 groups, and Productive Economic Enterprises (UEP) worth Rp240 million.

Bank Jateng is also providing Kube support as well as basic training for youths worth Rp600 million.

Youth empowerment is strengthened through skills training with the Mobile Training Unit (MTU) worth Rp134.594 million and Hetero Business Leap (HBL) training worth Rp7.98 million.

Youth beneficiaries also receive the Zilenial Card, which can be used to access various Central Java Provincial Government training programmes.

Support is not only aimed at the economic sector. The government is also providing social security through the Jateng Ngopeni Card worth Rp105.6 million, Direct Cash Assistance from the Tobacco Excise Revenue Sharing Fund (BLT DBHCHT) worth Rp436.8 million, and BSM education assistance for senior high school, vocational high school, and special school levels worth Rp73 million.

Meanwhile, to improve the basic conditions of beneficiary families, assistance is being distributed for the renovation of uninhabitable houses (RTLH) worth Rp260 million, toilets worth Rp675.22 million, and electricity connection installations worth Rp49.5 million.

There is also assistance for red tilapia fish seeds worth Rp13.5 million as part of the development of productive economic activities for the community.