Empower Women with Sustainable Livelihood

BLITAR – The Indonesian Migrant Workers' Community (KOPI) in Blitar Regency is taking strong steps to secure economic independence for its members. At the KOPI Gogodeso Secretariat, INFEST Foundation, in collaboration with AWO International, organized a strategic session titled "Formulating the 2026 Community Business Development Plan" on Saturday (Dec 13, 2025).

 The meeting was attended by 32 board members of KOPI and Community-Owned Businesses (BUMKOPI) from five villages: Gogodeso, Jatinom, Pandanarum, Lorejo, and Sumberagung. The primary focus was to transform three years of operational experience into a methodical and measurable Follow-Up Plan (RTL).

 Edi Purwanto, Project Officer for INFEST in Blitar, emphasized that this planning responds to the business dynamics observed since late 2022. "We noted varying results; some units have thrived, while others stagnated. This reflection is the foundation for a more mature strategy, ensuring community businesses don't just survive, but flourish," he explained.

Business Outlook: Strategy Across Three Villages

During the focus group discussions, three KOPI chairpersons presented their roadmaps for expansion and innovation:

 1. KOPI Jatinom: Retail Expansion and Contemporary Beverages

The Chairperson of KOPI Jatinom, Sundoko, revealed plans for diversification into "Es Teh" (Iced Tea) and a Basic Food Supply (Sembako) store. "We chose the iced tea business for its low entry cost and healthy margins. However, consistency and location are key. For the retail store, we will prioritize digital inventory management to ensure efficiency," he noted.

2. KOPI Gogodeso: Strengthening the Reseller Network KOPI

 Gogodeso, which already operates a retail business, will shift its focus toward partnership strategies. Chairperson Ainun Naim plans to engage local small stalls as agents or resellers. "We are also launching a loyalty program for members to stay competitive against established grocery stores," Naim added.

3. KOPI Pandanarum: Agricultural Innovation through Organic Fertilizer.

The agricultural sector remains the backbone of KOPI Pandanarum. Chairperson Sudarmianto stressed the importance of legal certification for their organic fertilizer. "Our 2026 target is product certification. We want our fertilizer to penetrate markets beyond our village with standardized quality, achieved through collaboration with agricultural experts," he asserted.

Toward Sustainable Independence

The session resulted in specific, measurable, and strategic development plans for each village. This collaboration between INFEST, AWO International, and KOPI aims to ensure that these community enterprises serve not only as support systems but also as the economic engine for Migrant Workers' families.

By implementing these measured plans, the community businesses are expected to create local jobs and ensure that remittances sent home are transformed into sustainable, productive assets.