Banjar Creative Space, Pertamina's Way to Empower Balinese Local People

Jakarta, January 1, 2022 - Banjar Creative Bali is a community empowerment program and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (UMK) players in Bali Province. This empowerment is based on the economic, social, and cultural potential that exists in Banjar or the local community at the level of the Rukun Warga (RW). Pertamina distributed funds for the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program worth IDR 2 billion and cooperated with the Indonesia Creative City Network (ICCN) and was also facilitated by the Ministry of SOEs.

SOE Minister Erick Thohir when visiting the implementation of the Banjar Creative Space in Banjar Taman Kelod, Ubud, Monday (27/12) then expressed his appreciation to Pertamina for holding this program. According to Erick, in the middle of an uncertain economic situation, Pertamina is always there for the country.

"We continue to guard Balinese culture, one of which is the applause that Pertamina brings to Banjar-Banjar and has a great value. Imagine, one Banjar is IDR 200 million worth. So this is extraordinary, the commitment is there for the continuity of the central government, local government, and the community," said Erick

According to Erick Thohir, with the uncertain economic situation, it's not the time to complain, it's time to wake up because the investment has to keep going. As the host of the G20, investment in Bali, especially in infrastructure, needs to be increased, including community empowerment which must also be carried out

"We want to make Bali a Super Hub rather than marine tourists where the point is here, then it will spread to other islands," added Erick.

The Banjar Creative Space event showcases various sectors such as Organic Agriculture, stone and wood sculpture sculptors, and Atte woven crafts. These activities aim to develop a Banjar community-based community empowerment program in the fields of economy, environment, education, and health, and it targets 10 banjars in the province of Bali.

Various empowerment activities have been carried out in every Banjar, one of which is in Banjar Taman Kelod Ubud. The community in Taman Kelod was given economic business training such as painting, painting bag crafts, and carving sculptures. Pertamina also provides facilities and health education assistance, learning facilities assistance, and educational books in PAUD, as well as assistance with traditional dance facilities.

Pertamina did the same thing in Banjar Geriana Kauh Karangasem. Activities carried out include the development and training of economic businesses such as weaving, woven crafts, and carving sculptures. Moreover, there are organic farming training, destination branding training, digital marketing training, product development training, and waste management.

President Director of Pertamina Nicke Widyawati said Banjar Creative Space Program is in line with Pertamina's TJSL program to support Bali as the host of the G20 in 2022. The TJSL program is also part of Pertamina's commitment in implementing Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) in various business lines as well as implementing ISO 26000, to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"With this assistance from Pertamina, we fully support efforts to increase community independence and contribute to the Community Economic Empowerment Program, Improvement of Education Facilities, Provision of Health Facilities (Posyandu), and Improvement of the Banjar Traditional Bale," added Nicke when symbolically handing over the assistance to the Banjar Creative Space Program in the west area that was located in Banjar Taman Kelod, Yeh Embang Kauh, Bilukpoh Tegal Cangkring, Central Baturiti, and Ubung Jimbaran, last Monday (27/12).**