Questions/Answers
Question 1
Please briefly describe the initiative, what issue or challenge it aims to address and specify its objectives. (300 words maximum)
Jalin Matra Feminization of Poverty Alleviation (FPA) is an innovation initiated by the Governor of East Java as an intervention against women having to single-handedly run the household. 20.46% of Female-Lead Households (FLH) are impoverished in east java and this percentage is higher compared to the national average which is only 16.03%.
There are 152,343 poor FLH in East Java who are the backbone of family’s economy due to several reasons: divorced, husband died, abandoned by husband, having a husband who is unable to be actively productive, and living alone.
For instance, the hardships of Marni (34 Years old) with three children who are still in elementary school: she has been a widow for 2 years. In the midst of hardships, the presence of this innovation enables Marni to find a way out towards prosperity by selling fruit salad. She can now pay for her children’s school fees and allocate a portion to repair her house. A total of 152,343 FLH such as Marni need the presence of Government to help her find a way out towards prosperity.
Firstly, this innovation aims to encourage business motivation and life skills of FLH to improve their welfare. They have a very low level of welfare, occupying the lowest 10% poverty rate based on the National Unified Database for social protection (bdt.tnp2k.go.id).
The second objective is to expand the access of poor Female-Lead Household towards productive businesses to increase their business assets and incomes. This innovation changes the paradigm by involving FLH directly in determining the type of business that they would setup after getting a capital stimulus of IDR 2,500,000 (US$175). Through this, the women will be main actors in their economic condition changes.
Question 2
Please explain how the initiative is linked to the selected category. (100 words maximum)
Jalin Matra Feminization of Poverty Alleviation turns women into main actors of gender equality and women empowerment. Program implementation involves Female-Lead Household’s active participation, done through direct conversation regarding aspirations, desirable needs or aid planning for productive economic ventures. The role of women is increasingly central as there are 5,824 local women activists assisting them in running their businesses. Assistance is carried out with the ‘mother-care’ concept, making them more motivated and understand the technicalities of business management. The mother-cares even acted as agents of change in this innovation.
Question 3
a. Please specify which SDGs and target(s) the initiative supports and describe concretely how the initiative has contributed to their implementation. (200 words maximum)
Jalin Matra FPA is able to contribute to the challenges of the SDGs:
First, SDG 5: “achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls”. This innovation has provided productive economic business access to 78,668 FLH in 2,540 villages worth IDR 232,885,875,000 (US$16 Millions) for 5 years. Jalin Matra FPA has also provided business training to 78,668 FLH tailored to their business experiences and skills.The focus on gender equality and women empowerment was evident through the empowerment of 5,824 women activists from PKK village cadres. They serve as FLH companions, playing roles of mothercare, guiding and motivating FLH to become economically independent, more confident in social interaction, knowing their potential and managing their business.
Jalin Matra is also aligned with SDG 1: “end poverty”. Based on dynamic poverty analysis by TNP2K (www.tnp2k.go.id), there was an increase in lowest welfare level status on 42.68% FLH - from 10% (Decile 1) to 20% (Decile 2-4).
Meanwhile the SDG 8 reads: “full and productive employment and decent work for all”. Monitoring and evaluation results by Brawijaya University revealed that Jalin Matra has produced various business sectors - from trading (34.28%), food SME (28.35%), livestock (27.60%), services (6.69%), Crafts (2.05%) and agriculture (1.03%).
b. Please describe what makes the initiative sustainable in social, economic and environmental terms. (100 words maximum)
Promotion of FLH business products is carried out through local and national-scale exhibitions and website (www.ibuberdaya.id) as FLH business network media. FLH are facilitated with easy and inexpensive loan for business development through the Regional small medium enterprise Bank. It is proven that the treatment is able to increase FLH business income averagely IDR 581,133 (US$42) per month, and based on the 2018 evaluation results approximately 88.1% FLH businesses increased, greatly helping FLH with their children’s education fees until college
Question 4
a. Please explain how the initiative has addressed a significant shortfall in governance, public administration or public service within the context of a given country or region. (200 words maximum)
Jalin Matra FPA overcomes the weaknesses of poverty alleviation programs currently carried out by the government – firstly, government assistance tend to start from the top down and only place program recipients as objects of activity. Instead, this innovation places Female-Lead Household (FLH) as program subjects, providing opportunities for FLH to participate in East Java development through deliberative participatory principles.
Secondly, this innovation provides gender equality, whereby presently the Government's assistance prioritizes Male Lead Household (MLH), this innovation intends to improve the welfare of FLH as 20.46% of them are considered poor. Intervention towards FLH are more impactful because FLH tend to prioritize their family welfare and nutrition compared to MLH. Thus, FLH’s income and family health quality increase. Therefore, FLH and their family members will have access to better public services.
Furthermore, interaction between FLH and their ‘mother-cares’ not only made them motivated to manage business, but also possess better awareness towards family, so they are capable in leading their family to access basic public services such as family cards, identity cards, and birth certificates.
b. Please describe how your initiative addresses gender inequality in the country context. (100 words maximum)
The life of women is more difficult than men in Indonesia, especially in terms of social pressure and employment access. They are considered second-class society. For example, women farmers are only paid half of men’s wages. Socially, career women are still considered inappropriate because they are negligent as housewives.
Additionally, being a widow in Indonesia is not easy. Women are always blamed as the main cause of divorce, early marriage and even domestic violence. Many people stigmatize divorced widows.
Hence, Jalin Matra provides an opportunity for these women to moving out poverty and empower them to build their own future.
c. Please describe who the target group(s) were, and explain how the initiative improved outcomes for these target groups. (200 words maximum)
Jalin Matra FPA targets poor FLH at the lowest 10% welfare level. In East Java, poor FLH reached 152,343, the largest nationwide. Jalin Matra changes the lives of 78,668 FLH: besides being able to meet basic needs more independently and sustainably, they also have business assets and manage business networks, with improved technical expertise.
3,383 FLH from 117 villages in Gresik Regency are taught by mother-cares since 2014 to save a portion of their income in piggy banks. During bi-weekly meetings, FLH are invited to save in piggy banks with various amounts– from IDR15,000-50,000 (US$1.5 – 5) per days. Savings are opened together during the eve of Eid al-Fitr for various purposes.
The innovation’s chain effect was felt by 291,071 household members whom are FLH children: they received better nutrition and education than their parents.
As FLH economic conditions increase, they become more environmentally and socially aware. They are aware of women's rights, as they interact with local women activists. 5,824 women activists spread entrepreneurial spirits, gender equality, environmental awareness and technical efforts.This interaction are able to create 5,824 community groups to strengthen FLH social capital as well as employment for 201 district facilitators in guarding FLH empowerment
Question 5
a. Please describe how the initiative was implemented including key developments and steps, monitoring and evaluation activities, and the chronology. (300 words)
In 2014, the Governor of East Java initiated a special program for Female-Lead Household (FLH) and commissioned the Regional Research Council, the Community and Village Empowerment office, and Brawijaya University to design the Jalin Matra Feminization of Poverty Alleviation Program (FPA).
Two main strategies were formed: (1), the FLH empowerment strategy through venture capital stimulus for productive economic ventures and basic needs fulfillment. (2), solving economic, social, cultural and psychological problems through the mother-care assistance model.
Together with all stakeholders, in 2014 a pilot project was implemented, targeting 3,309 FLH in 54 villages, in 2015 - 14,568 FLH in 416 villages, and most recently, in 2019 - 8,275 FLH in 415 villages.
Stakeholders involved were given roles and responsibilities and coordinated within the Jalin Matra Secretariat: Local Government Agencies, Brawijaya University, Airlangga University, Malang State University, village government and CSOs.
Jalin Matra FPA formal evaluation is done in layers. First, evaluation by universities. In 2014, evaluation was conducted in cooperation with Airlangga University. In 2015, 2016, and 2017 the evaluations were carried out in collaboration with the Brawijaya University.
The Provincial Secretariat monitors and evaluates the program’s implementation in the disbursement stage when funds are transferred to the Village Government’s account; the realization stage during productive business capital hand over to FLH. Next, monitoring the evaluation of the program’s impacts to observe FLH’s income gain and business development.
Evaluation was also conducted by the The Provincial Secretariat to discover the effectiveness of program implementation in the field, as well as through accountability meetings attended by village governments and supervisory bodies, community leaders and FLH’s capital stimulus recipients. This evaluation stands as a form of transparency in program implementation.
b. Please clearly explain the obstacles encountered and how they were overcome. (100 words)
Obstacles:
1. Problems with FLH such as low entrepreneurial spirit and business skills. Solution – Mother-Care cadres inviting FLH for personal conversations to explore their potential.
2. The initial database gap - exclusion errors and inclusion errors occurrences. Solution- conducting field verification.
3. The limited budget. Solution - screening targeting FLH by considering effectiveness and encouraging Regency Governments to handle FLH beyond provincial targets.
4. Geographical constraints, Most FLH live in remote area. Solution – mother-care providing full support to FLH.
5. Social jealousy from households without aids. Solution - active roles by the Village Government and community leaders to provide socialization regarding FPA
Question 6
a. Please explain in what ways the initiative is innovative in the context of your country or region. (100 words maximum)
The innovative approaches are: first, the effectiveness in specific target selections of poor FLH by determining FLH criteria based on the lowest 10% welfare level, having family members at the productive age, and villages with at least 20 FLH formulated in the database by name, address, picture and need.
Secondly, the needs of FLH are assessed through deliberative participatory principle through personal conversation with FLH to explore and decide on business needs proposals.
Third, implementing the principles of helping with heart, promoting social empathy not only to develop economic potential of FLH, but also their dignity, motivation, and self-confidence.
b. Please describe, if relevant, how the initiative drew inspiration from successful initiative in other regions, countries and localities. (100 words maximum)
Jalin Matra FPA is an original innovation from the East Java Government, aimed at developing the economic potential, dignity, motivation, self-confidence and self-esteem of poor Female-Lead Household, as well as preserving local cultural values by continuing to give respect to FLH on providing decision regarding types of proposal needs.
The poor FLH is experienced by almost all regions in Indonesia, whereby their hardships are worse than MLH. Jalinan Matra has changed the paradigm of women from targets to become main actors. Through deliberative participatory principles, FLH are invited to converse directly to explore and decide on business needs proposals.
Question 7
a. Has the initiative been transferred and/or adapted to other contexts (e.g. other cities, countries or regions) to your organization’s knowledge? If yes, please explain where and how. (200 words maximum)
Since 2016, Jalin Matra FPA was replicated by 9 Regencies:
1. Bojonegoro Regency (2017-present) replicates FPA Program towards 2,797 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 7.69 billion (US$550,000);
2. Sampang Regency (2017-present) replicates Gema Sahabat Program towards 1,562 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 4.75 billion (US$339,000);
3. Ponorogo Regency (since 2016) replicates through local FPA Program towards 3,110 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 3.29 billion (US$235,000);
4. Tuban Regency replicates FPA Program towards 474 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 1.19 billion (US$85,000);
5. Lamongan Regency replicates FPA Program towards 1,000 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 1 billion (US$72,000);
6. Lumajang Regency replicates FPA Program towards 272 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 680 million(US$49,000);
7. Probolinggo Regency replicates FPA Program towards 215 targeted FLH with allocation of Rp. IDR 537 million(US$39,000);
8. Magetan Regency replicates FPA Program towards 175 targeted FLH with allocation of IDR. 350 million(US$25,000);
9. Situbondo Regency replicates FPA Program with allocation of IDR. 114 million (US$9,000).
The replication is executed as a commitment to the implementation of the joint agreement between the Governor of East Java and Regent. Replication is done through a matching program using the similar patterns but different targets.
b. If not yet transferred/adapted to other contexts, please describe the potential for transferability. (200 words maximum)
The Jalin Matra Feminization of Poverty Alleviation (FPA) is also potential for adapted national wide, with the number of vulnerable poor and very poor Female-Lead Household in Indonesia reach 2,864,362, the central government should empower them, to build their bright future for the sake of their children in order to get better nutrition and education
Question 8
a. What specific resources (i.e. financial, human or others) were used to implement the initiative? (100 words maximum)
Throughout 2014 until 2018, the resources utilized to implement this innovation were a budget of IDR 232,885,875,000 (US$16 Millions) ; 60% is used for business capital stimulants for 78,668 FLH.
Human resources: Engaged stakeholders are from the provincial level who are coordinated directly by the Governor. All stakeholders involved are given their respective roles and responsibilities and are coordinated in the Jalin Matra Secretariat.
Thirdly, Technical Resources in the form of Governor of East Java's Regulation. For FLH business development, a MoU was signed with the East Java SME Bank regarding simple and affordable loan funds for FLH.
b. Please explain what makes the initiative sustainable over time, in financial and institutional terms. (100 words maximum)
Regency government support intervenes FLH beyond provincial targets by adopting the mechanism as stated in the existing Governor of East Java Regulation No. 8 (2019) concerning General Guidelines for the Jalin Matra FPA Program.
The Village Government will allocate a community empowerment budget that is used to support the sustainability of post-program assistance from 2020 onward. This has been done by Winongan Kidul Village, Pasuruan Regency.
Village Minister Regulation No. 16 (2018) concerning the priority of using Village Funds in 2019 issued annually encourages Village Funds throughout Indonesia to be optimized for poverty alleviation activities and community empowerment.
Question 9
a. Was the initiative formally evaluated either internally or externally?
Yes
b. Please describe how it was evaluated and by whom? (100 words maximum)
It is evaluated in part by university’s Institute of Research and Community Service. In 2014, an evaluation was conducted in cooperation with Airlangga University, whilst in 2015, 2016, and 2017 in collaboration with Brawijaya University.
The Provincial Secretariat also evaluates by monitoring and evaluating program implementation in three stages. Firstly, monitoring the evaluation of program implementation disbursements. Secondly, monitoring the evaluation of the actual implementation when handing over productive business capital to FLH. Thirdly, monitoring program impact evaluation.
Evaluation is also done by the mother-cares cadre to find out the effectiveness of program implementation in the field.
c. Please describe the indicators and tools used. (100 words maximum)
There are 4 indicators used. The first is related to target accuracy. The indicator used is registered FLH in the Unified Database (Decile 1) or replacement FLH based on the village deliberation, the capital stimulus recipient is FLH and still productive.
The second indicator is exact figure - the amount accuracy of venture capital received by FLH, the allocation of aid utilization by FLH main business capital, supporting businesses, and FLH's basic needs.
The third indicator is the accuracy of use in psychological, economic and social matters.
The final indicator is the quality of life of household members.
d. What were the main findings of the evaluation (e.g. adequacy of resources mobilized for the initiative, quality of implementation and challenges faced, main outcomes, sustainability of the initiative, impacts) and how this information is being used to inform the initiative’s implementation. (200 words maximum)
Evaluation was conducted using questionnaire method and direct interviews. Evaluation results by Brawijaya University (UB) in 2018 revealed that 93.57% of the program implementation was on target, 95.56% FLH felt that this program was useful, 92.21% observed an increase in FLH self-motivation in doing business, 64.77% showed an increase in FLH’s income, while 92.69% considered that there was a response of environmental support to the FLH’s businesses.
Meanwhile, the program output analysis from UB produced various types of FLH’s businesses. The trading sector yielded the biggest contribution (49.12%) with an increase in business of 60.09%.
The program impact analysis showed this innovation increased FLH’s income. The development of FLH’s businesses increased by 70.61%. From this amount, 63.18% experienced an increase in income of IDR.581,133 (US$42) per month.
The social impact of Jalin Matra FPA that contributed the most was self-motivation increase in doing business, involving 96.31% of capital stimulus recipients.
Airlangga University evaluation results in 2015 also displayed good impact from this innovation. 97% of FLH respondents said they were ready to manage their businesses, while the rest needed guidance from mother-care cadres. 92% of FLH respondents have a commitment to manage business assistance received.
Question 10
Please describe how the initiative strives to work in an integrated manner within its institutional landscape – for example, how does the initiative work horizontally and/or vertically across different levels of government? (200 words maximum)
Vertically, this innovation firstly collaborated with TNP2K (tnp2k.go.id) and the Ministry of Social Affairs in providing unified database for social protection and FLH data analysis used to summarize the poor FLH to be assisted, secondly with the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding special financial assistance mechanism regulations, thirdly with the Ministry of Villages Development concerning the priority of using Village Funds.
The stakeholders involved include RT (Neighbour Associations), Village government as the spearhead of innovation, the District, and Regency. Mother-cares provide direct assistance to FLH, activity results are reported and accounted for to the District and Provincial Secretariat. District Secretariat stakeholders must also report their activities to the Provincial Secretariat.
Dynamic poverty analysis of FLH program recipients was conducted by TNP2K as a program effectiveness evaluation.
Horizontally, this innovation firstly collaborated with the Regional Planning Board regarding budget planning and implementation, secondly with the Regional Office of Social Service on poverty alleviation coordination, thirdly with the Regional Office of Cooperative provides business training activities for FLH.
Universities institutions conduct mentoring management at provincial, district and village levels. Program mentoring and implementation results are saved in the innovation database and reported to the Governor of East Java.
Question 11
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development puts emphasis on collaboration, engagement, partnerships, and inclusion. Please describe which stakeholders were engaged in designing, implementing and evaluating the initiative and how this engagement took place. (200 words maximum)
The Regional Research Council (DRD), Regional Community and Village Empowerment Office, and Brawijaya University collaborated in designing Jalin Matra Feminization of Poverty Alleviation.
In implementation, the Government was the main executor with the Governor as the person in charge. Cross-sectoral coordination involved the East Java Poverty Reduction Coordination Team, and Regional Community and Village Empowerment Office.
The Evaluation Phase was implemented in stages at the village level by 5,824 mother-cares with the village secretariat, at district level by 201 district facilitators with Brawijaya University, at provincial level by the independent monitoring team from Airlangga University and Brawijaya University.
FLH are fully involved in this innovation capital stimulus recipients. Other community elements involved including several village’s institution/association.
Universities are involved including Brawijaya University (UB) through the Research and Community Service Institute. Brawijaya University is a provincial government partner whose role is to provide human resource support, community empowerment assistance and development of science and technology to the community.
Several Religious Social Organization such as Fatayat assists in the FLH mentoring process, Sampoerna Foundation provide business training for FLH and charity institutions provide additional business capital for FLH.
Question 12
Please describe the key lessons learned, and how your organization plans to improve the initiative. (200 words maximum)
First, to assist the poor FLH, involvement from all stakeholders are required.
Second, the role of mother-cares as FLH companions is crucial. FLH not only need help but also attention and guidance to escape poverty.
Third, FLH must be positioned as a subject by encouraging them to be actively involved to improve their welfare.
Fourth, the importance in preparing the FLH database information system whereby the FLH socio-economic development can be monitored.
There are three important policies implemented by the Regional Community and Village Empowerment Office for the preservation of Jalin Matra FPA:
First, BIBIT JAMUR BANK (Technical Guidance and Soft Loans through Banks) aimed at increasing access for poor FLH to bank’s simple and affordable loan.
Second, in the future it is necessary to collaborate with private stakeholders to increase the capacity of FLH through various business training and efforts to increase the added values of FLH’s products.
Third, encouraging the use of village budget for poverty reduction and community empowerment, especially poor FLH, as implemented by Winongan Kidul Village, Pasuruan Regency.
Throughout 2020 - 2024 the JATIM PUSPA (Near Poor Women's Business Empowerment) Program will be launched as an upgrade to Jalin Matra FPA