Promoting inclusive economic growth, DBS Foundation provides Rp48 Billion in grants to empower marginalised communities in Indonesia | Bahasa

Indonesia, 15 Oct 2025 - Bank DBS Indonesia and DBS Foundation have once again strengthened their commitment to promoting inclusive growth by collaborating with two new partners, Mercy Corps Indonesia and Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia). The collaboration is designed to improve micro and small women entrepreneurs’ access to financial literacy and services, business management and digital marketing, as well as equipping young people, especially women and people with disabilities, with skills and job readiness in growing industries, information on job opportunities, and financial planning skills to better prepare them for economic challenges. The launch of the collaboration was attended by representatives from Bank DBS Indonesia, Mercy Corps Indonesia, and Plan Indonesia.

The initiative is part of DBS Foundation's long-term commitment since 2023 to providing up to SGD1 billion in funding over the next 10 years in Asia to focus on fostering inclusion and providing essential needs through various programmes that address real challenges in society. Earlier in January 2025, Bank DBS Indonesia and DBS Foundation launched their first social development programme in collaboration with The Asia Foundation, Yayasan Humanis dan Inovasi Sosial, and Dicoding. The programmes, worth SGD9 million or more than IDR100 billion, will run over the next three years.

“DBS Foundation has a vision to improve the quality of life and well-being of vulnerable communities, including young people and women with limited access. With Rp48 billion in grant funding allocated to this programme, we believe we can reach a wider community. In addition to providing financial assistance, we also ensure that all partnership programmes can create a long-term impact for all beneficiaries and contribute to sustainable inclusive economic growth. All these efforts are in line with our third sustainability pillar, Impact Beyond Banking," said Head of Group Strategic Marketing & Communications PT Bank DBS Indonesia Mona Monika.

Improving Financial Literacy and Inclusion for Women Microentrepreneurs in Urban Areas

In the last two decades, Indonesian women have made significant progress in the public sphere and strategic sectors, particularly through MSMEs. Ministry of MSMEs data show that there were more than 66 million MSMEs in Indonesia in 2024. They contributed 61 percent or Rp9,580 trillion to the gross domestic product (GDP). Approximately 99 percent of these MSMEs are micro businesses, and 64 percent are owned or led by women. Despite their important role in driving the national economy, the 2025 National Survey of Financial Literacy and Inclusion (SNLIK) found that women’s financial literacy rate was 65.58 percent and inclusion rate was 65.73 percent, while men’s literacy rate was 67.32 percent and inclusion rate was 67.53 percent. This highlighted the need to strengthen women’s financial literacy and access so that they can be more prudent in managing their finances and in accessing financial products and services.

In addition, Mercy Corps Indonesia 2022 data show that only 51 percent of women micro and small entrepreneurs in urban areas have active bank accounts that have been used in the last six months due to a low literacy rate and limited access to financial services. The lack of asset ownership, limited information, and a lack of understanding of risk make it difficult for them to access formal financial institutions, especially in the era of digital services. In fact, 98 percent of them already have smartphones and internet access, but they have not been fully utilised to develop their businesses, with only 31 percent of them using mobile banking applications, 30 percent using digital wallets, and 32 percent making use of marketplaces.

Responding to these challenges, DBS Foundation collaborated with Mercy Corps Indonesia to improve the financial health and resilience of women who own or manage micro and small businesses through a two-year programme called Financial Inclusion for Women Entrepreneurs. The programme focuses on 40,000 women and young people who own or manage micro and small businesses in Semarang, Surabaya, and Medan, providing training and mentoring in digital literacy, financial management, access to financial products and services from formal financial institutions, and digital marketing.

“Mercy Corps Indonesia’s mission is to help communities recover from crises and turn them into opportunities to improve their quality of life. We see that many women who own/manage micro and small businesses lack financial literacy and adequate access to financial products and services. However, good financial literacy can help them make wise decisions, reduce risks, and improve their financial health and resilience. That is why we warmly welcome this collaboration with DBS Foundation and Bank DBS Indonesia, as we believe this partnership will amplify the positive impact and provide more opportunities for women and young people who own or manage micro and small businesses to thrive," said Executive Director Yayasan Mercy Corps Indonesia Ade Soekadis.

Unlocking Opportunities for Marginalised Youth

Inclusive growth also needs to focus on young people who still face challenges in accessing employment. Around 20 percent of the total young population aged 15-24 years, or around 9 million people, are NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) (BPS, 2024). Furthermore, the BPS data also show there is still a gap in the labour force participation rate between women (55 percent) and men (84 percent). The majority of unemployed people with disabilities are also young people aged 15-34 (ILO, 2022). This situation highlights the need for more support for skills development and employment opportunities for young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, to ensure inclusive growth.

This situation prompted DBS Foundation to collaborate with Plan Indonesia through the You Rise (Youth be Ready, Inclusive, Skilled, Empowered) programme to provide access to training for 100,000 young people aged 18-29, 60 percent of them women and 3 percent people with disabilities. The programme will run for two years in Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya. You Rise will combine skills development, financial literacy, and job access to better prepare participants to enter the job market and improve their financial health.

“Young people play an important role as agents of change and as a reflection of the nation's future. Therefore, supporting them is an investment in our collective progress. Employment challenges and limited access to work should not be a constraint, but rather a catalyst for us to seek solutions. Through financial literacy and job skills improvement programmes with DBS Foundation, we are committed to helping them become more competitive. We believe that when doors of opportunity are wide open, young people will become a transformative force that brings real change,” said Executive Director Plan Indonesia Dini Widiastuti.

These initiatives earned DBS Bank Ltd (DBS Bank) the World's Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility award from Euromoney for the second time in July 2025.

For more information about DBS Foundation, visit this page and Instagram @dbsfoundationid.

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About DBS Foundation

Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.

In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.

Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.

For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

Established in 1989 as part of the Singapore-based DBS Group, PT Bank DBS Indonesia (Bank DBS Indonesia) is one of the banks with the longest history in Asia. Currently operating 1 Head Office, 13 Branch Offices, 16 Assistant Offices, 1 Functional Office and 3,011 active employees in 15 Major Cities in Indonesia, Bank DBS Indonesia provides comprehensive banking services that focus on the customer experience to 'Live more, Bank less'. We also see a purpose beyond banking and are committed to supporting our customers, employees, and the community towards a sustainable future. 

PT Bank DBS Indonesia is licensed and supervised by The Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), and an insured member of Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS).

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.