By: Rivka Mayangsari*)
The Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperative (Kopdes/Kel) is now entering a new chapter in its strategic journey. The government, together with the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara), has ensured that the financing schemes and mechanisms for the operations of thousands of cooperatives across Indonesia are ready to run. This step is expected to strengthen the village economic structure, create new jobs, and encourage community independence amidst increasingly complex global challenges.
The Minister of Cooperatives, Ferry Juliantono, explained that several important regulations have been issued to support the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) program. First, Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 49 of 2025, which regulates loan procedures for cooperative funding. Second, PMK Number 63 of 2025 concerns the use of surplus budget balances in the 2025 fiscal year to support banks that distribute cooperative loans. Furthermore, Minister of Home Affairs Regulation Number 13 of 2025 affirms the support of regents and mayors for cooperative funding.
Ferry emphasized that initial funding will be disbursed to 1,000 Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih) before gradually expanding to the remaining 20,000 cooperatives. Himbara has prepared a credit ceiling of IDR 3 billion per cooperative, with oversight and mentoring provided by the Ministry of Cooperatives and the Task Force. Cooperative administrators will also receive intensive training to enable them to manage funds accountably, transparently, and in accordance with community needs.
The central government’s support extends beyond regulatory aspects. Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan confirmed that the first phase of disbursement of financing from the Himbara bank to the Red and White Village Cooperative will begin next week. The 1,000 cooperatives that have passed the verification process will soon receive the funds. However, Zulkifli emphasized that the disbursement must go through a special village deliberation (musdesus) mechanism. This is crucial to ensure the principles of transparency, democracy, and accountability in the distribution of funds.
Zulkifli further stated that there are still approximately 20,000 to 23,000 cooperatives targeted by the program, which are currently undergoing verification by the distributing banks. This process is expected to be more than just a formality, but also a crucial tool to ensure that the cooperatives receiving the loans are truly prepared to manage the funds effectively.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, Kartika Wirjoatmodjo, revealed that preparations for the first phase of loan disbursement for 1,000 cooperatives have been completed. The Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises, along with Danantara, has prepared a list of loan recipients, which will be verified during village deliberations (musdes) in each village. This mechanism allows the community to directly participate in determining the direction of credit utilization, ensuring that the loans received by cooperatives truly benefit residents.
The Red and White Village Cooperative Program is not just about funding, but also a concrete form of collaboration between the government, state-owned enterprises, and the community. Cooperatives are positioned as pillars of the people’s economy, not only driving small businesses but also driving village development. With Himbara’s support, it is hoped that each cooperative will be able to strengthen access to capital, increase business capacity, and expand markets for local products.
Furthermore, this cooperative funding will be a crucial instrument for accelerating village transformation toward economic independence. The funds disbursed will not only be used for trade or savings and loans, but can also be expanded into agriculture, fisheries, the creative industry, and even digital-based services. Thus, village cooperatives can become centers of innovation and community empowerment.
The government recognizes that one of the main challenges facing cooperatives in Indonesia is weak management and limited access to capital. Therefore, training and mentoring are crucial components of this program. Bank Himbara (Indonesian Bank for Small and Medium Enterprises) is not only responsible for disbursing credit but also actively trains cooperative administrators to become more professional. This way, the risk of misuse of funds can be minimized while maximizing the potential for business development.
The Red and White Village Cooperatives Program is also expected to strengthen the national economic network from the bottom up. Healthy cooperatives will increase people’s purchasing power, strengthen the domestic market, and create new jobs. With a target of tens of thousands of cooperatives across the archipelago, the resulting multiplier effect is believed to significantly support national economic growth.
More importantly, this program demonstrates the government’s commitment to the common people. Amid global uncertainty, the government demonstrates its commitment to ensuring that villages are not left behind but rather at the forefront of realizing the nation’s economic sovereignty. Himbara’s support through funding for the Merah Putih cooperative will be a significant milestone in restoring the spirit of mutual cooperation and village economic independence.
With this strategy, village cooperatives will no longer be merely traditional economic institutions but will transform into a key driving force for national development. The success of the first phase, involving 1,000 cooperatives, will serve as a starting point for the development of tens of thousands more cooperatives across Indonesia. Through the synergy of the government, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), the Association of Indonesian Cooperatives (Himbara), and the community, the goal of realizing advanced, independent, and globally competitive villages is no longer just a dream, but a reality that is being realized.
*Economic observer