Zurich Indonesia and Z Zurich Foundation Collaborate with Prestasi Junior Indonesia Encourage Young People to Create Economic Opportunities through Entrepreneurship
Jakarta, June 30, 2022 –Zurich Indonesia (Zurich) launched Zurich Entrepreneurship Program for high school students to create economic opportunities in Indonesia.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Zurich through Z Zurich Foundation, disburses 7.2 billion Rupiah in this program collaborated with Prestasi Junior Indonesia (PJI) to implement the Zurich Entrepreneurship Program. This program will empower more than 9,000 high school and vocational high school students in Indonesia to be able to create 50 new businesses in the next three years.
“The entrepreneurial ecosystem in Indonesia is moving in an increasingly positive direction. This must be strengthened, considering that entrepreneurship is one of potential solutions for the young people to create economic opportunities for themselves. As our purpose, Create a Brighter Future Together and our commitment to drive a positive impact, Zurich Indonesia is very pleased to be collaborating with PJI to support the emergence of new young entrepreneurs and to contribute to the National Entrepreneurship Development Program of the Indonesian Government which seeks to accelerate the increase in the national entrepreneurship ratio to 3.95% by 2024,” said Chris Bendl (Chris), Country Manager Zurich Indonesia.
Based on the Comprehensive Study of National Entrepreneurship Development Program by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic Indonesia in 2020, strengthening Entrepreneurship, Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Cooperatives is one of the targets in the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN). To support the National Entrepreneurship Development Program, there needs to be guidelines and equipped with procedures that include, among others, pre-entrepreneurial correctional and facilitation of business ideas for prospective entrepreneurs, which includes business incubation, training, and entrepreneurship education for prospective entrepreneurs. To contribute for this plan, Zurich seeks to help the younger generation as prospective entrepreneurs to prepare become an entrepreneur who are established and empowered.
Zurich Entrepreneurship Program will facilitate the development of students' business skills comprehensively through hands-on experience in starting and operating a micro-enterprise in their respective schools. Students’ participation in this program is expected to foster students' awareness of the potential of entrepreneurship to achieve financial well-being while building the entrepreneurial mindset and skills needed to create their own business in the future.
Academic Advisor and Operations Counsel Prestasi Junior Indonesia, Robert Gardiner (Robert) added, “We are very pleased Zurich’s cooperation to encourage young people to create economic opportunities in Indonesia. In addition to providing business skills, the Zurich Entrepreneurship Program is also equipped with a financial literacy education that trains personal money management skills and a work readiness education that introduces the ins and outs of the needs of today's industry. With these components, students will have the skillsets and confidence to generate innovative businesses, manage company resources effectively, and apply sound financial behavior.”
In its first year of implementation, the Zurich Entrepreneurship Program will benefit students in 30 SMA/SMK in some regions, including Jakarta, Bogor, South Tangerang, Bekasi, Bandung, and Cimahi. They will be empowered to fill a need or solve a problem in the community and environment through their business operation. During the program implementation, volunteers from Zurich Indonesia will also be actively involved in providing assistance and mentorship to share experiences and inspiration to the students. In this way, students can explore firsthand what the real business world is like, get a better picture of the skills of the future, and consider entrepreneurship as a potential career.
“Zurich believe all the knowledge and experience gained by the students in this program will be a strong foundation for them to create a brighter future,” said Chris.
For more information, please contact:
Leila Rima
Head of Corporate Communications
Zurich Indonesia
For more information, please contact:
Jaya PanggabeanCommunications Manager
Prestasi Junior Indonesia