Creativity Alone Is Not Enough: These Are the Real Challenges for Creative Economy Players

The strengthening of Indonesia’s creative economy ecosystem is increasingly showing positive momentum, in line with the growing role of the younger generation, the world of education, and government policy support in promoting financial literacy, talent development, and the provision of supporting infrastructure. At the grassroots level, efforts to enhance the capacity of creative economy players are carried out through financial literacy training. Founder of Hannah Asa Indonesia, Mardiyah, stated that creative economy players, which continue to grow, are expected to be able to address increasingly complex financial management challenges. Through training titled Creative Wealth Bootcamp: Financial Literacy & Communication Strategy for Creators in Palu, 200 participants from students and creative economy players were equipped with an understanding of financial management, cash flow preparation, and product value communication strategies. Mardiyah assessed that although more young people are able to generate independent income, there are still various challenges such as unstable income, the absence of a structured financial system, and low understanding of formal financial services. “The approach we take not only focuses on literacy, but how that knowledge is translated into real behaviour and better financial decisions,” she said. This activity also involved collaboration with the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Tadulako University, the Financial Services Authority (OJK), and the Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI), while emphasising the importance of vigilance against digital fraud and illegal investments. Deputy Head of Region KP BEI Central Sulawesi, Dewi Nur, encouraged the younger generation to start investing early as part of efforts to build financial resilience. Meanwhile, OJK Central Sulawesi representative Adam Novriansyah reminded the importance of ensuring investment activities are carried out legally and rationally. On the other hand, local governments are also beginning to prepare infrastructure to support creative talent development. The Depok City Government in West Java plans to build a Training Centre (BLK) focused on the creative and digital industries.