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ABA ROLI and PROPENAS Successfully Held Training of Trainer (TOT) for PLUT Consultants Across Central Java and Enterdev of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs to Support Women’s MSMEs in Accessing Business Formalization

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI), in collaboration with the National Association of Legal Counselors (PROPENAS), successfully held a Training of Trainer (TOT) event themed “Enhancing the Ecosystem for Women’s MSMEs to Access Business Formalization.” The training, which took place over two days from November 7 to 8, 2024, was held at the Santik Premier Hotel in Yogyakarta. The event was opened by the Head of the Cooperatives and MSMEs Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, represented by the Head of PLUT KUMKM DIY. It was attended by 26 consultants from the Integrated Business Service Centers (PLUT KUMKM) across Central Java and Enterdev mentors from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia.

The purpose of this TOT event was to strengthen the role of PLUT KUMKM consultants in assisting women MSME entrepreneurs to more easily access business formalization services. The training aims to enhance women’s access to business legality, enabling them to develop their businesses in a more professional and sustainable manner.

During the training, the participants, primarily women, were provided with insights into various aspects supporting business formalization. The training materials included sessions on gender equality in supporting business formalization, access to finance for women entrepreneurs, and the dynamics of women’s roles in supporting family economies. One of the key speakers was Mrs. Rini from Sarisa Salak Merapi, a women-owned MSME, who shared insights into the challenges faced by women’s MSMEs in accessing formalization and financing. With an interactive training approach, the participants had the opportunity to practice how they could assist women MSMEs in understanding and fulfilling formal business requirements.

The event concluded with a commitment from participants to apply the knowledge they gained to support women’s MSMEs in their respective regions by creating small mentoring projects. It is hoped that this TOT will have a lasting impact on the MSME ecosystem in Indonesia, especially for businesses run by women.

Through this TOT, ABA ROLI and PROPENAS reaffirm their commitment to strengthening women’s roles in the economy through formal businesses, making it easier for them to access government support and financial capital from financial institutions.