Publication Search

This activity was conducted in Timbang Lawan Village, located in Bahorok Sub-district, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra Province. The results of surveys and interviews with partners indicate that most residents, especially housewives, carry out activities at home, work as agricultural laborers, and engage in farming. This situation provides significant opportunities to train and educate them through programs aimed at improving economic conditions and financial independence. However, the main inhibiting factors identified are limited access to information, knowledge, and technology, which hinder their creativity in utilizing leisure time productively. The purpose of this community empowerment program is to provide education and socialization to inspire and empower the community in addressing economic problems through training in making dishwashing liquid. After this activity, it is expected that participants can reduce household expenses by no longer needing to purchase dishwashing liquid on a daily basis. Moreover, if opportunities arise, they may also identify business prospects to develop dishwashing liquid production. The expected benefit of this activity is to foster an entrepreneurial spirit among housewives in Timbang Lawan Village.

Village entrepreneurship is an initiative designed to stimulate regional economic growth by accelerating the development of rural areas, which have long been perceived as slow, less productive, and lagging behind urban centers. The creation of entrepreneurial villages offers a concrete strategy to enhance community productivity because it encourages all components of the village government, residents, and local institutions to participate in structured and collaborative entrepreneurial activities. Such villages are expected to generate new economic opportunities, strengthen local industries, and increase community independence. However, initial observations from this Community Service program show that partner villages still face significant barriers, including limited land area, geographical remoteness, and inadequate human and natural resources. Many peripheral villages have not yet utilized digital technology effectively, making it difficult to expand markets or access broader economic networks. In addition, challenges related to financial access, limited talent development, socio-cultural constraints, and weak market infrastructure continue to hinder economic progress. These conditions demonstrate the urgent need for strategic assistance, capacity-building programs, and stronger support systems to help villages transform into sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems capable of contributing to long-term regional development.

Karang Jahe Beach is one of the leading tourism destinations located in Rembang Regency. This area provides a great opportunity for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to develop and reach a wider market. One of the MSMEs in this area is Warung "Mbak Raisha" owned by Mrs. Inayah which has been operating since 2015. This stall is engaged in providing food and beverages for tourists. However, these MSMEs face various challenges in managing their business, including the lack of digital financial records, the lack of social media accounts as a means of digital promotion, the lack of a business logo, and the management of orders and product packaging that is not optimal. This condition causes limitations in terms of competitiveness, management efficiency, and marketing reach which has an impact on overall business growth and hinders the potential for future business development. Community service activities are carried out to help overcome these problems through strategies to strengthen branding and digital marketing. Some of the concrete steps taken are the creation of a logo as a brand identity, the installation of banners as a visual identity of the business, training on the use of social media (Instagram) as a means of promotion, the preparation of price lists, and digital financial recording using simple applications. In addition, education was also provided regarding the importance of attractive packaging to increase the selling value of products. The results of the mentoring show that Warung "Mbak Raisha" now has a stronger business identity, a more targeted promotion system, and more efficient management. This effort is expected to be able to encourage business growth and make MSMEs better prepared to face business challenges in the digital era.

The objective of this mentoring activity is to increase the capacity of swimming pool managers, particularly in strengthening management and sustainable management strategies. With this increased capacity, it is hoped that Tirta Arum Swimming Pool can develop into a valuable village asset, both economically and socially. The swimming pool will not only provide a source of income for the village but also serve as a means of recreation, education, and social interaction for the surrounding community. The method used in this mentoring activity is Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), an approach that emphasizes active community participation in every stage of the planning process, decision-making, and program implementation. PRA enables village communities, including Tirta Arum Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) managers, to analyze their environmental conditions, identify problems, and design contextual and sustainable solutions. This approach is implemented through structured mentoring, education, and training activities. Direct community involvement aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for swimming pool management. In addition, with training tailored to local needs, managers are expected to be able to apply effective management principles, from planning and financial management to customer service and promotional strategies. Thus, the results of this activity are not only temporary improvements, but also long-term empowerment that contributes to the independence and business aspirations of the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes). Through the PRA method, this activity not only provides an immediate solution to swimming pool management problems but also increases the independence of the community and managers in developing and operating the business sustainably. This increased community participation is expected to foster a sense of ownership (a sense of belonging) towards the swimming pool as a shared property.