Asgar, Ciheulang Indonesia - The area is located in the region of Central Java, approximately 203 km / 126 miles away from Semarang, the capital city of the region. The livelihood of the people mainly rely in agriculture such as farming and selling agricultural products. However, it is notably alarming the rising number of the informal sector and the unemployed youth in the region.
YCW Indonesia started to organize and develop a project to young and adult vendors in the community addressing the issues of the informal sector and unemployed youth. The informal sector (street vendors) as per se are facing low income, long hours of work and the lack of proper place to sell their products. The project aims to increase their capacity and opportunity to raise their income and chances to develop their livelihood.
ASGAR base group is planning to provide a permanent space (local community market) for the unemployed youth and street vendors to install their own small business like vegetables stores and garment shops. At the moment, the action process is ongoing to find resources and partnership support as well as negotiation with local government to provide free space of land for the establishment of the small local market. The base group then built small hut as their temporary headquarters in the area for their meetings and gatherings.
During the visit of IYCW-ASPAC coordinator, several discussions has been made during together with former YCW’s and adult collaborator to identify realistic and define strategic plan to develop the community project.
It is seen that the project has a lot of potential because of the full support of the people lives in the community as well number of former YCW who are willing to help in the action process. It is also a means that the local products in the community could be promote and developed opportunities to raise income and livelihood of the people.
Linking the action to the International Plan: The Social Solidarity Economy Campaign of the IYCW
The action of the base group has a strong link with the on-going action of the International YCW with regards to the Solidarity Economy. The IYCW develop a survey inquiring the reality, needs and aspirations of the young workers in the informal economy and of the unemployed youth. The survey is directed to all young people both inside and outside the movement.
