Dekopin targets Gen Z to regenerate Indonesia's cooperative movement

The Indonesian Cooperative Council (Dekopin) is targeting Generation Z as the primary focus for regenerating the cooperative movement through digital approaches and creative business development, aiming to change the perception that cooperatives are an outdated business model. Gilang Widya, Secretary General of Dekopin and Chairman of the 79th National Cooperative Day (Harkopnas) organising committee, stated that the future of cooperatives lies in the hands of the younger generation, and his organisation is committed to encouraging Gen Z to actively participate using approaches relevant to their lifestyle. “Dekopin is fully committed to attracting Gen Z to actively engage in cooperatives through modern, digital, and lifestyle-relevant approaches,” Gilang said in a statement received in Jakarta on Thursday. According to him, this effort was demonstrated by the presence of a Gen Z Cooperative booth at the peak of the 79th Harkopnas celebrations at the Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, which showcased various digital-based creative business innovations by young people. He said Dekopin wants to change the younger generation’s view of cooperatives by showing that they can be a collaborative economic platform that is adaptive, innovative, and globally competitive. Gilang added that the success of the 79th Harkopnas event also reflected the synergy between the cooperative movement, the government, and other stakeholders, including state-owned enterprises. The peak of the 79th Harkopnas was attended by President Prabowo Subianto, who in his speech affirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening cooperatives as a pillar of the people’s economy. The President called on the cooperative movement to rise and become a national economic force based on the spirit of togetherness. Meanwhile, Dekopin Chairman Bambang Haryadi assessed that this momentum is an opportunity to erase the stigma that cooperatives are a small-scale and irrelevant business model. According to Bambang, cooperatives have the potential to become a modern economic force if supported by regulation, collaboration, and youth participation. Dekopin also expressed optimism that the cooperative movement will grow further with the planned ratification of a new Cooperatives Law to replace Law Number 25 of 1992, which is expected to provide a stronger legal foundation for cooperative development in Indonesia.