Jakarta, Indonesia, 31 Oktober, 2019 – A digital application that allows users to sell trash for money, Kepul.id, has snatched the top honour at the 2^nd  Youth Co:Lab summit held in Jakarta this week. Kepul.id CEO, Abdul Latif Wahid Nasution, hails from North Sumatra and he was picked out of nearly 100 applicants.

The 2nd winner of the Youth Co: Lab is Stephanie Saing CEO of Tinung Rambu, a women’s weaver entrepreneurship   from Nusa Tenggara Timur province and the third winner went to Laressa Amaly ,CEO of Suri The Goods, an all women home  manufacturer of skin care products from West Sumatra province.  

The winners were selected from 15 social entrepreneurs finalists of the 2^nd Youth Co:Lab presented their social entrepreneur ideas  front of the panel of judges, budding investors and member of public, during the Demo Day. The panel of judges consist of Ananta Wisesa, Head of External Communications Citibank Indonesia, Jim Oklohoma from iGrow, Imam Gunawan Deputy Assistant of Entrepreneurship and Youth, Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sport  and Jemi Ngadiono from 1000 Guru. The Demo Day also features a talk show titled "How to Deal with Failure as A Young Entrepreneur”.

“The winners of the 2^nd Youth Co:Lab represent the best creative minds with the highest potential for impactful results. I’m pleased to have seen the level of enthusiasm and out-of-the-box approaches among the finalists; it’s a further indication that today’s youth in Indonesia have an innate love and a sense of dedication for social changes,” said Muhammad Didi Hardiana, Team Leader Innovative Financing Lab.

Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation (Citibank), Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for Asia-Pacific countries, including Indonesia, to invest in and empower youth to accelerate implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship. In addition to supporting youth entrepreneurship, Youth Co:Lab also works closely with multiple stakeholders across the region, including governments, civil society and the private sector, to strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem and policy support to better enable young people to take the lead on new solutions that will help meet the SDGs. In Indonesia, this initiative is also supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Agency. 

Director, Country Head of Corporate Affairs Citi Indonesia Elvera N. Makki said, “Youth Co:Lab acts as a catalyst for the development of innovative ideas to tackle social problems. Initiated by UNDP and Citibank, the program brings together governments, private sector, incubators and other key players from the entrepreneurship ecosystem to create an enabling environment for youth-led social enterprises to generate sustainable impact in their communities, in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. This is in line with our mission of enabling growth and economic progress, not only to our clients, but also to the communities where we operate.”

“Talking about Impact and Sustainability is the same as talking about the future. The younger generations are the real owner of the future, the youth millennial generation. Youth Co:Lab is a place for young generations to determine what kind of future they want through entrepreneurship movement. Here they will get the access to capital and connections they need to realize their dreams of a better future society through creativity and new innovations.” Said Fadjar Hutomo Deputy Access of Capital Indonesia’s Tourism and Creative Economy Agency.

The 2^nd year of Youth Co: Lab in Indonesia focuses on social enterprises that support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with goals no 3 (Good Health and Well Being), 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 8 (Decent work and Economic Growth), and 14 (Life Below Water).

From waste management digital application developer to eco-tourism operator in a far-flung island, this year’s Youth Co: Lab has been able to gather 15 youth enterprises from outside the main island of Java. Selected out of hundreds applicants, they represent some of the most innovative youth social entrepreneurs with the most potential for scaling-up. The winners of the 2^nd year of Youth Co Lab will represent Indonesia in the regional Youth Col Lab Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  

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