Young Creators Use Digital Platforms to Boost SMEs and Environmental Action

The activities of creators on digital platforms are beginning to move beyond content production and developing into efforts that have a direct impact on the economy, the environment and cultural preservation. A number of creators are using their follower bases and digital ecosystems to open market access for SMEs, drive tree planting, and reintroduce local history and culture.

This can be seen in the work of three young creators, Jerhemy Owen, Elsa Novia and Hendri Alejandro, who have developed their digital activities into various community initiatives.

On the economic side, Hendri Alejandro is using the affiliate ecosystem and live shopping through Ibun Mall to help SMEs in Ibun Village, Bandung Regency, West Java, expand their markets. Hendri saw that several home industries in his village had production capacity but faced obstacles in reaching a wider consumer base. He then helped market their products through digital channels while training residents to become live hosts.

“The activities include live shopping and others,” Hendri said at the #Serunya17an event in Jakarta on Tuesday (18/8/2026).

Ibun Mall currently supports more than 30 local SMEs and works with more than 100 live hosts. Hendri has also built the 1 Billion Host Community, which has more than 300 creator members.

In the environmental field, Jerhemy Owen uses digital content to encourage public participation in tree planting and the provision of clean water access. Through the Wenanam movement, more than 10,000 tree seedlings were collected in 2025. The movement then continued through #PohonUntukAceh. As of July 2026, the initiative had collected 250,000 seedlings.

“This also includes the construction of clean water access, namely Wengalir. We are building clean water access in East Nusa Tenggara and also building schools,” Jerhemy said.

Meanwhile, Elsa Novia uses historical and cultural content to introduce areas and Chinese-Indonesian traditions to the public. One of her activities is the Benteng Walking Tour in the Old Town of Tangerang and the Glodok Chinatown area of West Jakarta.

“Because I made content on TikTok, I created a Chinese cultural tour called Benteng Walking Tour, which directly introduces the Cina Benteng Chinese culture in my area,” Elsa said.

Over about three years, the tour has been attended by thousands of participants. The activity has also opened opportunities for cultural destinations, culinary businesses and local SMEs to gain attention from visitors.

These three approaches show how digital platforms can be used to extend impact beyond the digital space. Content is not only a means of entertainment or communication, but can also become an entry point for strengthening local economies, environmental action and cultural awareness.