Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: How ECCO Foundation’s WISDOM Initiative Recreates Lombok’s Business Landscape

NEWS

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: How ECCO Foundation’s WISDOM Initiative Recreates Lombok’s Business Landscape

Sustainable community development cannot succeed without gender equity at its core. Through its flagship WISDOM (Women in Sustainable Development) initiative, ECCO Foundation has focused heavily on expanding professional training, accounting structures, and market access for women and youth across Mataram and Genggelang Village.

By turning traditional talents into structured, profitable micro-enterprises, the WISDOM initiative is fostering true financial autonomy, community leadership, and sustainable wealth generation for rural women.

1. Culinary Tourism: Securing Market Access for Women-Led SMEs

Food is a profound bridge to cultural understanding, and the women of the WISDOM network possess deep generational knowledge of authentic Sasak cuisine. Between August and November 2024, ECCO Foundation integrated these culinary talents directly into the regional travel trade.

WISDOM culinary groups were positioned as the primary food and beverage vendors for all national and international tour groups visiting Genggelang Village.

7 Specialized WISDOM SMEs along with 3 community businesses (Kampung Coklat Senara, Kopi Bambu, and Cocoa Rooms) were integrated into the vendor network.
International Recognition: These women-led catering teams successfully served high-profile dignitaries, national officials, and global travelers, elevating the profile of traditional Lombok culinary arts.

2. Structural Workshops: From Micro-Vendors to Scalable Businesses

To ensure long-term business viability, ECCO Foundation hosted intensive Entrepreneurship Workshops throughout July and August 2024. These deep-dive sessions covered vital business skills, including foundational accounting, product packaging design, digital branding, and hospitality standards.

The training sessions saw massive local turnout, leading to real, measurable economic independence:

Business Incubator Metrics	iPhone 8
Total Female Attendees	46 rural women completed advanced financial and business training.
Youth Involvement	12 youth members completed business launching tracks in Mataram & Genggelang.
The EC Gondang Venture	A new language training venture established by 4 female teachers, now serving 100 regular clients and running fully self-sustained.
Cocoa Rooms Homestay	Successfully launched a village-owned, community-managed boutique homestay hosting global travelers since August 2024.

By pairing natural community strengths with rigorous corporate training, ECCO Foundation’s WISDOM framework is proving that rural women are the ultimate catalysts for community-wide economic growth.