Twenty women from the Sri Kandi and Serai Wangi groups have begun preparations to establish the Tri Kembang Sejahtera Cooperative, a collective platform aimed at developing businesses and strengthening women’s economic empowerment in Tri Kembang Village, Galing District, Sambas Regency.
The commitment emerged during an Economic Empowerment through the Establishment of a Women’s Cooperative activity held at the village health post (Polindes) in Sagang Hamlet, Tri Kembang Village. The activity marked an initial step toward building participants’ understanding and preparing for the establishment of a women-led cooperative at the village level.
Community Organizer Siti Rahmawati, who opened the activity, explained that the cooperative is expected to provide women’s groups with a platform to jointly develop their businesses while strengthening their economic independence.
“Through a cooperative, women not only gain a platform to develop their businesses, but also opportunities to learn, collaborate, and strengthen the group’s economic independence,” Wati said.
The activity featured Sarkusi and Azizul from the Sambas Regency Office of Cooperatives, MSMEs, Industry and Trade as resource persons. Participants received information on the concept and benefits of cooperatives, establishment requirements, business entity legalization, and potential business activities that could be developed through the Tri Kembang Sejahtera Cooperative.
Sarkusi explained that cooperatives are built on the principles of togetherness, mutual cooperation, and active member participation. Based on these principles, a cooperative could provide an appropriate platform for expanding businesses already being run by women in Tri Kembang Village.
Legal status was also highlighted as an important aspect of the establishment process. Azizul explained that formal legalization would enable the cooperative to operate on a stronger institutional basis while gaining broader access to government business development programs.
“The Cooperatives Office will continue to provide assistance to newly established cooperatives, monitor their development, and strengthen the capacity of cooperative management and supervisory boards so they can manage their organizations and businesses professionally,” Azizul said.
According to Azizul, a cooperative can serve not only as an economic institution but also as a platform for women’s empowerment. Through the cooperative, members can work together to develop businesses, strengthen access to capital, expand marketing networks, and gain better access to economic development programs.
The cooperative can also create a space for women to exchange knowledge and experience while building solidarity in developing their businesses. With effective management, women are expected to play a stronger role in supporting both household and village economies.
Participants showed strong enthusiasm throughout the activity, actively discussing the cooperative establishment process, business management mechanisms, and economic opportunities that could be developed collectively.
Joint Commitment to Establish Tri Kembang Sejahtera Cooperative
One of the key outcomes of the activity was a joint commitment among members of the Sri Kandi and Serai Wangi groups to move forward with the establishment of the Tri Kembang Sejahtera Cooperative.
The members agreed to prepare and complete the administrative requirements needed for the cooperative’s legalization process. Their shared commitment is considered an important foundation for ensuring that the cooperative not only becomes formally established but can also grow into a healthy, independent, and sustainable organization.
“With this commitment, the sense of togetherness we have built becomes an important foundation for creating a healthy, independent, and sustainable cooperative,” Azizul said.
As a follow-up, the women’s groups and relevant stakeholders will begin preparing the documents required for the legalization of the Tri Kembang Sejahtera Cooperative. The next stages will include completing the necessary notarial process and obtaining legal entity approval in accordance with applicable regulations.
The establishment of the Tri Kembang Sejahtera Cooperative is expected to become an important first step toward creating a women-led collective business platform, strengthening members’ economic independence, and contributing to the welfare of families and the wider community in Tri Kembang Village.