The Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) Program was introduced by Indonesian Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini at an OECD forum. The program provides training and assistance to poor and vulnerable beneficiaries to build sustainable start-ups’ entrepreneurship. The program is similar to the successful Surabaya Economic Program that reduced poverty in Surabaya City. Since starting in 2010, participants have grown from 86 to 12,382 with the poverty rate dropping dramatically to 5%.

Indonesia’s Social Affairs Minister, Tri Rismaharini, has introduced the Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) Program at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) international forum. The PENA program provides training and assistance to build the capacity of beneficiaries in creating sustainable start-up entrepreneurship, with the aim of empowering the poor and vulnerable groups that are beneficiaries of social assistance programs. Since 2016, Indonesia has supported start-up development through several programs, with the aim of inclusive and sustainable development. The OECD has placed Indonesia as a top priority on the development agenda, recognizing the importance of entrepreneurship to increasing economic growth. The event was attended by representatives of both national and international organizations and institutions and representatives of other Indonesian start-ups.