Friday, October 7, 2016 – Jakarta

At the Opening Ceremony of the Indonesian Philanthropy Festival 2016, Indonesia Philanthropy Association (Filantropi Indonesia) signed a memorandum of understanding with three different government agencies: Bekraf (Creative Economy Agency), Baznas (Zakat National Agency) and BPJS TK (Social Security Employment Program).

The agreement was signed by the Chairman of the Executive Board of Filantropi Indonesia, Timotheus Lesmana, along with BAZNAS Chairman, Prof. Dr Bambang Sudibyo, Head of Bekraf, Munaf Triawan, and Director of BPJS TK, Agus Susanto, in the presence of Minister of Social Affairs, Khofifah Indar Parawangsa, and Minister of Planning / Head of Bappenas, Bambang Brojonegoro.

Each government agency is working with Filantropi Indonesia with the understanding that in each subject area they are engaged in – creative economy, zakat, and labour protection – philanthropy can increasingly play a bigger role and support them in achieving the SDGs most related to them.

Triawan Munaf said, "Through this MoU, we hope that the creative economy industry will grow through contributions from philanthropy that consistently develops creative economy together with Bekraf". Deputy II Capital Access Bekraf, Fadjar Hutomo, states that the role of philanthropy is significant in Indonesia's efforts to achieve the target SDGs. "In addition to state fiscal policy, creative economy independence becomes one of the foundations for achieving SDGs," said Fadjar.

Baznas Chairman, Prof Dr Bambang Sudibyo, stressed how the attainment of the SDGs requires a commitment from all levels of governments, and both structural and non-structural institutions. In particular, the Baznas program to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ties the body to others through its program “Zakat for SDGs”.

"SDGs is related to zakat (Islam charity). One example is health where the mustahik (beneficiary) has poor health, nutrition and access to infrastructure. Considering water and sanitation, there is already a mandate (fatwa) from the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) that zakat can be used for improving the quality of water and sanitation, particularly in relation to the poor," said Prof. Bambang.

Agus Susanto, Director of BPJS TK, hopes this cooperation can encourage the Association’s members to participate in protecting Vulnerable Workers through the Vulnerable Worker Protection National Movement program (GN Lingkaran). "GN Lingkaran is here to provide protection solutions for Vulnerable Workers through donations from concerned citizens or organizations such as the members of the Philanthropy Association. These donations will not be direct, but will support the preparation of these workers to be more independent" she continued: "Indonesia Philanthropy Association and BPJS TK have the same passion for a solution to social problems, especially related to Indonesian workers. Hopefully with this agreement, the protection for all Indonesian workers will be reached soon, "Agus lid.

All three of these cooperative initiatives are the efforts of Filantropi Indonesia in promoting the progress of the philanthropy sector as a whole, as well as strengthening the role and contribution of philanthropy to other sectors. Our hope is that with these partnerships, a growing number of community development programs will be created for society’s benefit.