PANGALENGAN, WEST JAVA, INDONESIA – Among the rolling hills of Indonesia’s West Java province, thousands of farmers are reaping tangible benefits from the digitization of their businesses and improved access to finance, thanks in part to a United Nations‑supported project.Members of the South Bandung Farming Cooperative (KPBS) have recorded a 38% increase in productive loans and a 43% rise in sales volumes over the past two years, following the introduction of a new app used as an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution. “Easier access to financing means higher loan volumes, which in turn means more cattle and higher income for our farmers,” said Head of KBPS Aun Gunawan. “This is how financial inclusion leads to improved livelihoods.” Founded in 1969, KPBS has 5,000 members and produces 70,000 tons of milk a day. The cooperative operates its own dairy plant, using around 15% of its milk production to manufacture yoghurt and mozzarella cheese, while the remainder is sold to dairy companies in the region. In addition, the cooperative runs a hospital, veterinary service, and a bank—all designed to support members and enhance their well‑being and competitiveness. Holistic and healthy"We take a holistic approach, and for us it is all about health—not only the health of farmers and their cattle, but also financial health,” Mr Gunawan explained to the heads of United Nations agencies in Indonesia, who visited KPBS as part of their annual Leadership Dialogue on shaping the UN’s trajectory in the country.The International Labour Organization (ILO) is now supporting the cooperative in implementing this vision, leveraging digitization to strengthen financial inclusion. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs. “KPBS was already a strong, well‑managed business before our involvement,” said Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Indonesia and Timor‑Leste. “The tools we have provided have catalyzed further improvements and enhanced livelihoods.”Through the ERP system—introduced by the ILO under a project funded by the Government of Switzerland—farmers can now track their income and expenses, including the cost of fodder provided by the cooperative. They also have 24/7 access to the cooperative’s veterinarians, who can reach farms within 30 minutes. The app records individual animals’ veterinary data, including vaccination schedules, enabling milk collection points to segregate milk from recently vaccinated cows. If mixed with regular milk, such milk could reduce the day’s overall quality—and therefore the selling price. Higher volume, better price“These practical improvements have contributed not only to higher volumes but also to better prices per litre sold,” Mr Gunawan said.The most significant impact, however, has been improved access to finance. The cooperative has operated its own bank since 1993 to provide farmers with credit. With the ERP system, loan applications have become simpler and more accessible, Ms Singh explained. The bank can now view farmers’ financial data—income, liquidity, and outstanding debt—directly through the system, resulting in a higher rate of approved applications.Applications have also increased. With the integrated ERP tool, farmers no longer need to travel and queue to complete forms; they can apply directly through the app, where their financial history is already recorded and available to the lending team.  “This may sound like a matter of convenience, but it is far more than that,” said dairy farmer Encih Mintarsih. “Farmers cannot easily leave their cattle for half a day, let alone multiple times, to submit an application that may not even be approved. “Now we can apply online and spend our time productively. That makes us far more likely to pursue financing,” she added. Toward food self‑sufficiencyProgrammes like this have broader national relevance: strengthening domestic food production and self‑reliance is a top priority for the Government of Indonesia. The country currently imports around 80% of its dairy products. Enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of local milk producers contributes directly to national self‑sufficiency goals.It also provides a model for inclusive rural economic growth.“In an upper‑middle‑income country like Indonesia, the digital transformation of the economy and improved access to finance are essential for progressing toward high‑income status,” said Gita Sabharwal, UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. “For this reason, in close consultation with the Government, digitalization and access to finance are key priorities of the new cooperation framework between the UN and Indonesia.”The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), signed in August 2025 and aligned with the SDGs and Indonesia’s national development agenda, outlines how the UN will contribute to three transformative outcomes in the country, including Economic and Digital Transformation.“This outstanding programme by the ILO demonstrates how the UN can complement the Government’s efforts to accelerate inclusive development using modern technology,” Ms Sabharwal said.The project contributes directly to OJK’s Rural Bank Transformation Blueprint, strengthens the inclusive financial ecosystem model, and supports the efforts of the National Committee on Financial Literacy and Inclusion to improve financial literacy and inclusion. It also aligns with national priorities to digitize small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and boost productivity through digital tools,“In Indonesia, 90% of jobs are created by SMEs—so improving their competitiveness is critical to ensuring decent work,” Ms Singh said. The intent is for this approach to be rolled out more widely across the country.What advice does Mr Gunawan have for other cooperatives and policymakers? “Show farmers clear and tangible benefits, and they will quickly adopt digital technologies,” he said. “Buzzwords like ‘digitization’ and ‘financial inclusion’ must be translated into their daily reality—just as we have done here with the support of the ILO and the UN.”This article was first published on the UN News site https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166425, 23 November 2025

The Government of Indonesia and the United Nations share a clear goal: to make every development decision count for the people who need it most. The new agreement between the Government and the UN, called UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030, and signed earlier this year, builds on this shared vision anchored in Indonesia’s long-term and medium-term national development plans—ensuring that national priorities and UN programmes are guided by clear evidence and reliable data.That is where Statistics Indonesia (BPS), the country’s national statistics office and one of the UN’s closest partners, plays a key role in ensuring the availability of high-quality data that measures progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This, in turn, informs national and subnational implementation plans for socioeconomic development.“Our deep partnership with BPS ensures that development decisions are informed by granular, accurate, and timely data,” said Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. “Our results framework is fully aligned with the government data. It’s a reflection of Indonesia’s solid statistical foundation.”The collaboration runs deep and wide, spanning population dynamics, food security, big data, migration, labour markets, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for policy analysis. Here are some of the ways this collaboration is making a difference:United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) works with BPS on population and demographic analysis, including the population census and National Transfer Accounts, which help policymakers plan fiscal support and social protection for an aging population.Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) collaborates with BPS in implementing its national agricultural survey programme and pilot rice crop monitoring through satellite imagery and advanced analytics—improving agricultural productivity data.  United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) partners with BPS on the Early Childhood Development Index (ECDI) using SUSENAS data, while also developing child poverty assessments reinforced by nightlight observation to capture invisible dimensions of poverty.World Food Programme (WFP), UNFPA and UNICEF jointly work with BPS on small-area estimation methods to generate SDG indicators at the subnational level, helping local governments design data-driven development plans (for more details, see this article).International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNFPA collaborate through the One Data for International Migration initiative, integrating migration statistics into the national data ecosystem.ILO and UN Global Pulse Asia Pacific are finalising a new collaboration with BPS leveraging big data for near real-time insights on employment levels and well-being in addition to ILOs support for the labour market survey (SAKERNAS). Beyond national borders, BPS also leads as the UN Regional Big Data Hub for Asia and the Pacific, in partnership with UNDESA and UNESCAP. This role positions Indonesia as a key driver of data innovation and capacity building for statisticians across the region. This year, three major capacity-building initiatives on machine learning, mobile positioning data, and biodiversity, brought together statisticians from across Asia to exchange knowledge and strengthen expertise.“With more than 20,000 statisticians nationwide and more than 200 national surveys conducted annually, BPS continues to uphold its reputation for excellence, working hand in hand with the UN and government partners to ensure that data truly serves people,” said Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, Head of BPS.

Navigating development in a country as vast and diverse as Indonesia can be like reading a map with missing details. Imagine trying to plan a journey across a vast archipelago with such a reference. That is often the challenge policymakers face when trying to address issues like maternal mortality, neonatal deaths, poverty, malnutrition and unequal education at the local level.When we measure macroeconomic progress, we often look at the big picture: national statistics and country-wide trends. But in a vast country of 17,000 islands with thousands of districts and cities, how do we ensure that every community is counted, and no one is left behind? When geographically nuanced data from surveys and administrative statistics are not fully available, an advanced statistical method can help bridge critical data gaps: Small Area Estimation (SAE).In Indonesia, with the support of the UN, this sophisticated method is helping statisticians and policymakers transform fragmented data into actionable insights that inform effective policy decisions, targeted budget planning, and enhanced implementation. Statistics Indonesia, the nation’s primary statistical body, is increasingly utilising this method, strengthening the country’s data ecosystem and ensuring that development efforts reach the most marginalised communities.The UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) have been instrumental in supporting the development of a comprehensive Small Area Estimation Implementation Framework at Statistics Indonesia. Developed between October 2024 and June 2025, this Framework standardises estimation processes across institutions, ensuring results that are consistent and reliable. Supported by the Joint SDG Fund, the initiative also builds officials’ capacity to use the SAE method effectively and impactfully for decision-making.“With Small Area Estimation, we are not just crunching numbers; we are empowering local leaders with the precise information they need to transform lives, ensuring that every corner of Indonesia—from bustling cities to remote villages—truly benefits from the nation's progress,” highlights Gita Sabharwal, the Resident Coordinator in Indonesia. Filling the gaps with granular dataTraditional surveys, while robust for national or provincial estimates, often lack the granularity needed for district- or city-specific interventions. That is where SAE comes in, acting like a high-resolution lens that brings local realities into focus. It combines survey data with additional sources, like census or administrative data, to generate reliable estimates for small geographic areas and produce statistically sound figures for smaller administrative units. This helps shape highly tailored and localised solutions.“Indonesia, with its immense diversity, requires equally diverse and localised policy interventions. With granular data, we can now analyse data in much greater detail at the local level, allowing for evidence-based policies tailored to specific community needs,” said Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, the Head of Statistics Indonesia. “This also helps in identifying vulnerable groups and areas with higher needs, ensuring development interventions are more effective.” From Data to PracticeInformation and data harvested through SAE are now informing policymaking at the national and subnational level, enhancing how Indonesia monitors progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.For example, with UNFPA’s support, Indonesia leverages this framework to estimate crucial demographic indicators, including the neonatal mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, contraceptive prevalence rate, unmet need for family planning and age-specific fertility rate (ages 10-14), at the sub-national level. These insights enable the Government to design precisely targeted interventions where they are needed most.Findings reveal persistently higher maternal mortality in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua and East Nusa Tenggara, evidence that guides strategies to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio through context-specific and innovative solutions tailored to local realities and resources. By aligning interventions with each region’s unique challenges, Indonesia can promote more equitable and effective maternal health outcomes nationwide. This evidence-based targeting ensures resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact, maximising returns and fostering sustainable impact. “These are not just numbers,” said Hassan Mohtashami, UNFPA Indonesia’s Country Representative. “They are life-and-death indicators. When we understand where maternal or neonatal deaths are most prevalent, we can work with the government to prioritise the right interventions, in the right places.”Using SAE, Statistics Indonesia, with support from UNICEF, mapped child poverty across several provinces. By integrating big data, satellite imagery, and data from the National Socio-Economic Survey, the 2020 Population Census, and Village Potential data, the team revealed a much sharper picture than traditional direct estimation methods could capture. This detailed understanding has been crucial for designing effective poverty reduction programmes that target the most affected communities.For its part, WFP has been supporting Indonesia’s National Food Agency in applying SAE to publish the annual Food Security and Vulnerability Atlas, which maps vulnerability at the sub-district level to inform food security policy. Building on this, development efforts have been directed towards villages in West Kalimantan where chronic undernutrition remains a pressing issue. Collective Wins"The support from the UN is tangible proof of the importance of cross-agency and international partnerships in driving innovation and strengthening statistical governance in Indonesia," said Ms. Widyasanti.Under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, UNFPA, UNICEF and WFP have worked together to build capacity not only at the national level, but also among Statistics Indonesia’s branches throughout the country. Ms. Widyasanti explained that these estimations are now regularly used to inform policymaking across several line ministries. Refining this approachWhile small area estimation offers immense potential, its implementation is not without challenges. The method's success depends on high-quality data, technical expertise and broad institutional buy-in. Furthermore, its statistical complexity requires rigorous transparency and validation to ensure that results are consistent and replicable, making a unified, well-supported framework essential for its widespread and effective use.“By continuously refining the framework, enhancing data quality, and fostering collaboration between national and sub-national stakeholders, Indonesia is well on its way to building a robust, data-driven foundation for equitable and sustainable development,” points out RC Gita Sabharwal. This article was first published on the UN DCO site https://un-dco.org/stories/how-advanced-statistical-method-helps-power-data-driven-development-indonesia, 9 October 2025

Bandung, Indonesia - On 18 September 2025, the Bandung Independent Living Center (BILiC) came alive with the sound of screen readers and the focus of participants navigating their laptops. Nine persons with different disabilities gathered in person, joined online by three participants from Jakarta, to test the newly redesigned Anti-Corruption Academy website. The initiative, developed by Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Government of Norway, marks a milestone in making anti-corruption education equally accessible to all.“This initiative reflects the UN principle of Leave No One Behind,” said Putri Rahayu Wijayanti, National Programme Coordinator at UNODC. “We realized from our discussions with persons with disabilities that anti-corruption education must also meet their specific needs. Different disabilities require different forms of support, and this redesign project is about making sure those needs are met.” The Anti-Corruption Academy itself, first introduced by ICW in 2018, was built to bring the fight against corruption into the hands of the people of Indonesia. Through its online modules, it explains how corruption operates in everyday life, from misuse of public funds to conflicts of interest, and guides users on how they can recognize abuses, demand accountability, and make reports through existing legal mechanisms. The courses are structured at different levels, ranging from introductory lessons of integrity and transparency to complex themes such as oligarchy, climate-related corruption, and gendered impacts of corruption. By reaching students, activists, civil servants, and community groups, the platform has grown into a civic education hub with over 40.000 of users nationwide.As the platform grew, however, it became clear that not everyone could benefit equally. Feedback from persons with disabilities revealed significant barriers, from inaccessible navigation to missing subtitles and alternative text.“We learned a lot by working directly with persons with disabilities,” said Nisa Rizkiah Zonzoa, Programme Manager for Public Education at ICW. “Education should never leave anyone behind, even in e-learning. We realized that inclusivity is not just about adding tools - like screen readers or subtitles - but also about how we communicate, how we design content, and how we make people feel that this movement welcomes them equally.”The redesigned platform now complies with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) and integrates features such as screen reader compatibility, simpler navigation, and more inclusive learning materials. These improvements were immediately recognized by participants during the testing. “From the homepage to downloading the certificate, everything worked smoothly,” said Popon Siti Latipah, who is a person with vision disability. “Last time I tried, there were many obstacles, like the CAPTCHA during registration. But now those barriers are gone. I even learned new concepts like state capture and oligarchy. It sparks curiosity, and it gives us knowledge to protect ourselves, so we’re not just seen as objects of corruption but as people who can resist it.”For others, the technical improvements were just as meaningful.“Using my screen reader, I could navigate buttons and links with ease,” said Tri Nur Subhi, another participant. “This platform makes it possible for us to learn what corruption is, how it happens, and what small steps we can take to prevent it. It can be used by disability communities, students, and the wider public. It’s truly inclusive.”From BILiC’s perspective, the event was more than a test - it was a statement of principle. “When we talk about accessibility, we must involve persons with disabilities directly,” said Zulhamka Julianto Kadir, Director of BILiC. “Nothing about us without us. Digital platforms should follow universal design, so that no one is left behind - not in physical spaces, not in online education, not anywhere.”The Embassy of Norway, which has supported the project, underscored that corruption has particularly harsh - and often invisible - consequences for persons with disabilities. Misuse of disability funds and extortion in acquiring certificates are among the forms of “discriminatory corruption” that leave persons with disabilities more vulnerable and less able to seek justice. “Persons with disabilities must be at the center of anti-corruption strategies - not only as beneficiaries, but also as leaders and changemakers,” said Truls Desband, representative of the Embassy of Norway in Indonesia.As the testing concluded, participants expressed optimism that the Academy could serve as a model for inclusive digital education in Indonesia and beyond. For UNODC, that vision is clear. “Anti-corruption education empowers people to know their rights, to report corruption, and to help prevent it,” said Putri. “Our long-term hope is that persons with disabilities will be equally empowered to contribute to this fight. Because when everyone has equal access to knowledge, society as a whole grows stronger against corruption."