IOM Indonesia, in collaboration with Rumah Perempuan Migran (RPM) as the implementing partner, conducted an “Empowerment Summit: Migrantpreneurs Connection Day” at the University of Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on 30 May 2024, attended by approximately 174 participants from various stakeholders, including returning migrant workers and their families. This summit aimed to recognize and appreciate the returning migrant workers and their families who has been economically empowered through the Migrant Catalyst Initiative. This initiative aims to support networking among returned migrant workers, while introducing a financial literacy mobile application to improve the welfare of Indonesian migrant workers in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

This summit opened with the performance of “Gandrung”, a traditional dance from the Sasak Tribe in Lombok, followed by opening remarks. Mega Nisfa Makhroja, the Director of RPM, delivered her remarks to update the initiative’s progress.“ This program doesn't conclude here. We seek continuous support to ensure its sustainability and enable future expansion," she said. Prof. Akmaluddin,, Vice-Rector IV of the University of Mataram, affirmed his commitment to support the initiatives. "This event is a fundamental aspect of higher education's Tri Dharma, specifically on community service," he explained.

As West Nusa Tenggara serves as an origin place of approximately 12.35% (33,949 out of 274,965) procedural Indonesian migrant workers (BP2MI, 2023), I Gede Putu Aryadi, the Head of the Department of Manpower and Transmigration of West Nusa Tenggara Province, acknowledged the contribution of procedural migration towards the development in the province. “The issue of migrant workers cannot be solely addressed by the West Nusa Tenggara provincial government, given constraints such as limited budget, human resources, and access to empowerment. Therefore, we welcome the programme initiated by IOM and other stakeholders, aimed at socio-economic empowerment for migrant workers,” he emphasized on the importance of collaboration in returning empowering migrant workers.

Teresa Retno Arsanti, IOM Project Assistant II of Migration Policy,appreciated the returning migrant workers and their families for actively participating in various empowerment initiatives. “This initiative can be a pilot project not only in West Nusa Tenggara province but also in other regions,” she said. IOM implemented the Migrant Catalyst Initiative, comprising three main components: MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Business Incubation, Impact Investment Fund, and the development of a migrant financial literacy mobile application. 

MSMEs Business Incubation offers holistic support for the development and growth of MSMEs to 54 returning migrant workers and/or their families, while the Impact Investment Fund provides access to financial resources for 12 eligible returning migrant workers and/or their families. Additionally, the mobile application aims to reach at least 100 users for financial literacy purpose.

This initiative that was established after several discussions with stakeholders, receives support from at least seven local government institutions and one Local-Owned Enterprise (BUMD). It also emphasizes IOM's commitment to advancing the goals of the Global Compact for Migration, which seeks to facilitate safe, orderly, and regular migration. The innovative financing pilot initiative is part of the joint programme on Migration Governance for Sustainable Development in Indonesia funded by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMPTF) with the aim to close financing gap and maximize migration potential at the sub-national level.