Indonesia Berdaya Initiative Becomes Collaboration Platform to Eliminate Poverty
Jakarta — The Forum Zakat (FOZ) has assessed the Indonesia Berdaya collaborative initiative as a significant platform bringing together philanthropic organisations and government agencies to jointly address the challenge of eliminating extreme poverty in Indonesia.
“Indonesia Berdaya serves as a shared space uniting the strength of government, zakat institutions, and philanthropic organisations to work together in tackling poverty,” stated FOZ Chairman Wildhan Dewayana in a statement released in Jakarta on Saturday.
Previously, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment, the Forum Zakat (FOZ), the National Zakat Collection Agency (BAZNAS), and several Islamic philanthropic institutions agreed to establish the Indonesia Berdaya programme to address poverty.
Dewayana noted that the national zakat potential is estimated at IDR 327 trillion, yet only approximately IDR 44 trillion, or around 13 percent, has been realised. This figure demonstrates the substantial opportunity that can be optimised through collaboration between zakat institutions, philanthropic organisations, and government so that this potential can deliver broader impact for society.
As part of implementing this initiative, various social programmes are being implemented across several priority regions. One such programme is Selasar Hangat, which forms part of the Indonesia Berdaya initiative in expanding assistance distribution to the poor and destitute.
The programme is being implemented simultaneously across eight provinces with the highest poverty rates: East Java, West Java, Central Java, North Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, Lampung, and Banten. Additionally, assistance reaches disaster-affected areas in the Sumatran region, including Aceh and West Sumatra.
Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar emphasised the importance of strengthening synergy and data-based collaboration so that poverty alleviation programmes can be implemented more effectively and reach their intended targets.
Through the Indonesia Berdaya initiative, collaboration between FOZ, BAZNAS, philanthropic institutions, and government is expected to continue sustainably, enabling expanded reach of benefits and accelerating the realisation of a more empowered and prosperous Indonesian society.