BINUS University has intensified its active role in supporting sustainable development and poverty alleviation efforts in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, by collaborating closely with local governments, community members, and various stakeholders.

A key aspect of BINUS’s engagement lies in its contribution to local policy development and implementation. Through comprehensive research including social-economic mapping and community surveys in Batu Cermin village, BINUS provides critical data that informs evidence-based policymaking. This collaboration ensures that development plans truly reflect community needs and address the multidimensional aspects of poverty in the region.

Beyond research, BINUS has implemented impactful programs that empower the community economically and socially:

  • MABAR Smart Digital Platform:
    Developed jointly with local government and MSMEs, this innovative digital application enhances market access and operational efficiency for small enterprises. Training workshops accompanying the platform boost digital literacy and entrepreneurial skills among local business owners.

  • Organic Farming Initiatives:
    Partnering with Aliansi Organis Indonesia, BINUS promotes environmentally sustainable farming techniques, enabling farmers to reduce chemical inputs, improve crop yields, and increase incomes.

  • Digital Skills and Entrepreneurship Training for Youth and Women:
    BINUS provides targeted programs to enhance digital competencies and entrepreneurial capacity, with a focus on empowering women and youth, thus fostering inclusive economic growth.

  • Sustainable Tourism Collaboration:
    Working alongside local stakeholders, BINUS supports tourism models that balance economic development with environmental conservation and cultural preservation, benefiting marginalized communities.

  • Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction:
    Recognizing regional vulnerabilities, BINUS assists in formulating preparedness plans to enhance community resilience as part of sustainable development strategies.

  • Inclusive Education and Capacity Building:
    Through workshops and educational initiatives, BINUS strengthens local human capital, providing tools necessary for long-term poverty reduction.

BINUS’s role extends beyond program implementation to active participation in policy dialogues, offering research-based recommendations and facilitating multi-stakeholder forums. This integrated approach supports the creation of inclusive and effective policies that promote economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and social resilience.

The impact of BINUS University’s initiatives in Labuan Bajo is evident: increased income for entrepreneurs, more sustainable farming practices, and a strengthened community capacity to adapt and grow. These efforts demonstrate how academic institutions can play a transformative role in ending poverty — by combining expertise, innovation, and partnership with policy and grassroots action.

In addition to its impactful work in Labuan Bajo, BINUS University extends its commitment to poverty reduction through international collaborations focused on empowering women entrepreneurs. In December 2024, BINUS partnered with the University of Northampton, UK, to hold a Policy Roundtable on Advancing Women’s Employability Through Entrepreneurship. Supported by the British Council’s Gender Equality Partnership Program, this event gathered policymakers, academics, and students to discuss strategies for building an inclusive women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem in Indonesia.

The roundtable highlighted the challenges women face in starting and growing businesses and emphasized the importance of supportive policies and educational programs. This collaboration fosters knowledge exchange between Indonesian and UK universities, aiming to develop innovative approaches that promote economic inclusion and sustainable growth for women.

Through such international partnerships, BINUS plays a crucial role in shaping policies and programs that empower marginalized groups, thereby contributing to poverty alleviation on a broader scale.