Jakarta – In some time, the Red and White Cooperative has succeeded in lifting several villages from the abyss of poverty to economic independence. This success did not appear instantly. The process requires careful planning, continuous assistance, and a paradigm shift in viewing the role of village communities.
The Red and White Cooperative is present not only as a savings and loan institution, but as an economic ecosystem that places villagers as the main actors, not objects of development. Through a participatory approach, this cooperative encourages residents to take an active role in managing assets, designing productive businesses, and making strategic decisions related to the future of the village economy.
The Governor of Gorontalo, Gusnar Ismail said that the Red and White Cooperative is a direct initiative of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, which aims to strengthen the people’s economic sector down to the village level.
“The Red and White Cooperative is a cooperative initiated by President Prabowo. We were given the task to go directly to see the readiness of these cooperatives. Alhamdulillah, the cooperatives here are already running and meet the requirements,” said Gusnar.
According to him, this cooperative is a business cooperative whose main mission is to open various business units that are relevant to the daily needs of the community. Gusnar also emphasized the importance of collaboration in developing cooperatives, starting from the Regency Cooperative Office, the active role of sub-district heads, village heads, to administrators who are truly committed to running this program.
Previously, Deputy Minister of Social Affairs Agus Jabo Priyono said that this cooperative is expected to be able to encourage sustainable community economic empowerment.
“In the development of 70 thousand Red and White Village Cooperatives, the Ministry of Social Affairs is very supportive because this village cooperative development program is in synergy with poverty eradication programs in the villages,” said Agus
The Red and White Cooperative proves that an effective poverty alleviation strategy does not always have to depend on outside assistance. When the community is given space to organize, gain equal access, and is accompanied by the right approach, then the local potential that has been hidden will emerge to the surface and become a force for change.
The Red and White Cooperative must continue to maintain institutional integrity, strengthen management capacity, and respond to changing socio-economic dynamics. The involvement of the younger generation is an important key for cooperatives to remain relevant amidst the flow of modernization and digitalization.
With the spirit of mutual cooperation and the courage to be independent, the Red and White Cooperative ignites new hope, and proves that poverty is not destiny, but a challenge that can be overcome together.
