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In rural Indonesia, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle to grow due to limited access to formal finance. Informal agricultural workers often lack financial records, collateral, or the confidence to approach banks, making them “high risk” in the eyes of lenders and pushing them toward expensive informal loans.

To address this, the ILO’s Promoting SME Enterprises through Improved Entrepreneurs’ Access to Financial Services Phase 2 (Promise II Impact), funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), focuses on building the capacity of local trainers. These trainers help farmers and entrepreneurs improve financial literacy, adopt sound business practices, and use digital tools, ultimately making them more bankable.

“By empowering trainers, we are connecting rural entrepreneurs with the financial services they need,” said Djauhari Sitorus, Project Manager for Promise II Impact. “We aim to ensure they not only gain access to finance but also the skills and confidence to secure formal funding, often for the first time.”

West Java: Building creditworthiness 

Since joining the ILO’s online training programme in 2020, Ervin Puluhulawa, a trainer from West Bandung Vocational and Productivity Training Center (BPVP), has become a driving force in empowering local entrepreneurs. Through training programmes using ILO modules like Gender and Entrepreneurship Together (GET Ahead), Financial Education as well as Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB), she has trained over 550 participants, including dairy farmers and small business owners, using engaging adult learning methods.

Her sessions teach cash flow management, savings goals and record-keeping skills that boost eligibility for cooperative and rural bank loans. Many now invest in equipment, expand their herds or develop new products, moving beyond daily income to long-term business growth. “I am proud when farmers use loans to grow their business, not just for consumption. That’s when I know the training works,” she said, proudly.

Unlocking loans through better records

At Koperasi Peternakan Bandung Selatan (KPBS) in Pangalengan, trainer Fitri Herliana Adrian has spent 13 years helping dairy farmers strengthen their financial discipline. After completing the ILO’s Training of Trainers program in May 2023, she has reached 340 participants with lessons on record-keeping by separating household and business finances and setting financial goals. Her coaching has also benefited over 100 farmers, including Iceu, who used a cooperative loan to purchase a milking machine, cut labour costs, and secure education savings for her children. 

“When farmers keep daily milk production and expense logs, they have proof of steady income. That’s powerful in a loan application,” Fitri said. “However, for members who are still hesitant to use mobile apps for record-keeping, it is my job to guide them step-by-step until they feel comfortable.”

Aceh: Opening better access to financial services 

Nurul Fatmawati, a trainer based in Aceh, has trained more than 1,000 participants using ILO entrepreneurship and financial literacy modules, guiding them to separate household and business funds, plan for planting seasons, and register for employment insurance. She also facilitates access to credit, enabling 11 patchouli farmers to expand their land through Sharia Rural Bank (BPRS) Mustaqim Aceh.

Nurul takes pride in a recent success story: a patchouli farmer who, after keeping proper financial records for six months, secured formal financing to expand his land. “He told me that he never thought a bank would trust him. That’s the kind of change that keeps me motivated,” she said, adding that her greatest pride lies in seeing these farmers grow more financially literate and feel optimistic about their futures.

East Nusa Tenggara: Accessing finance with better terms and conditions 

Tumpal P. Situmorang, a lecturer at Universitas Wira Wacana Sumba for 25 years, has trained over 250 seaweed farmers, 24 horticulture farmers, and 24 micro and small entrepreneurs in East Sumba Regency of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) to calculate production costs and set profitable prices.

“If they can calculate how much rope they need for drying seaweed, they can calculate their production costs and set a price for profit,” he explained.

These skills improve farmers’ bargaining power and provide the financial data needed for formal loan applications. Through the ILO’s collaboration with the local Bank NTT, 24 farmers accessed zero-interest loans, enabling ventures like seaweed snack production and clothing shops. As a result, local farmers are now shifting away from high-interest informal credit toward secure, affordable financing.

The iconic Toyota C-HR range features enhanced refinement and expanded choice, thanks to updates to the Mid+ grade and wider availability of the GR SPORT version across all powertrains.

As a landmark model in the C-SUV segment with its stand-out design, fun-to-drive character and high-tech features, the Toyota C-HR has proved popular with customers. Since its 2017 debut, the Toyota C-HR has sold over one million units across Europe.

The Toyota C-HR was developed specifically for the expectations of European customers via local design, engineering and production. True to the vision of a ‘concept car for the road’, it features an iconic coupe silhouette and sophisticated design execution. It also benefits from an engaging driving experience, as well as ultra-efficient plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrain options.

Expressing a dual DNA, the 2.0-litre Plug-in Hybrid delivers the smooth driving of a true electric vehicle with a range sufficient for most customers’ daily driving needs, up to 66 km (WLTP combined) and increasing to around 100 km in urban driving conditions (WLTP EAER City). On longer journeys, Toyota’s class-leading hybrid technology ensures continuous efficiency, providing customers with reassurance and flexibility whatever the destination.

Predictive Efficient Drive helps the Toyota C-HR Plug-in Hybrid optimise battery usage and range, using an innovative geo-fencing function which automatically switches between hybrid and electric modes. This ensures sufficient EV range to navigate upcoming low emission or BEV-mandatory zones.

The Mid+ grade has now been updated to add further sophistication. New 18-inch matt black machined alloy wheels are exclusive to this grade and feature a striking black centre ornament. The elegant new Samara fabric, which is introduced to the front and rear seats, increases the portion of recycled materials used compared to the previous Mid+ grade by extending across the seat’s full central element. Samara has a grey appearance with subtle background hints of mixed colours and is complemented by dark grey and black fabric on the seat sides. Grey stitching on the front seats adds a stylish touch to the cabin, complemented by a sleek gunmetal gear shift knob decoration.

The GR SPORT grade, which is inspired by Toyota’s World Championship-winning motorsports teams, is now accessible to a wider range of customers thanks to addition of the 1.8-litre hybrid powertrain, with 140 DIN hp. In common with the existing 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid (223 DIN hp) and hybrid (180 DIN hp) options, it includes a head-up display as standard, as well as optional panorama roof, bi-tone+ colouring – which consists of a contrasting black colour across the roof and rear body panels – and premium JBL sound system. In 1.8-litre specification, 19-inch alloy wheels are included as standard, while the 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid and hybrid variants feature 20-inch wheels.

All grades now offer the newly introduced Ash Grey and Lunar Sky Blue colours, which bring a fresh, modern look. Meanwhile, a Driver Monitor Camera – which detects signs of distraction or fatigue and is linked to the vehicle’s Emergency Driving Stop System – is included as standard.

     The updated Toyota C-HR range is available to order across Europe now.