Ternate, 21 January 2026 – Eramet Indonesia, a global mining and metallurgy company from France, in collaboration with Yayasan Cinta Anak Bangsa (YCAB Foundation), has launched LAKSMI (Langkah Aksi Kapasitas Sosial Mikro untuk Inklusi) in Ternate. The LAKSMI program is designed to support ultra-micro women-owned MSMEs in Jakarta and Ternate through an integrated approach that includes training, mentoring, and access to capital, with the aim of strengthening business capacity and driving sustainable growth.
The launch was marked by the “LAKSMI Local Kick-Off & Community Talk” event held at Bela Hotel, Ternate, on Wednesday (21 January 2026). The event was attended by the Governor of North Maluku, Sherly Tjoanda Laos, CEO of Eramet Indonesia, Jérôme Baudelet, and the Founder & CEO of YCAB Foundation, Veronica Colondam. The program featured a showcase of local MSME products, community dialogues, and networking sessions among stakeholders.
“LAKSMI program is in line with the local government’s commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth. When women’s MSMEs are strengthened through appropriate training and mentoring, the impact is felt not only by business owners but also by their families, communities, and regional economic development as a whole,” said North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda Laos in her speech in Ternate on Wednesday (2/21/2026).
Ternate was selected as one of the areas for implementation due to the significant potential of women entrepreneurs in North Maluku, particularly in the ultra-micro sector, who continue to face various challenges, such as limited access to business training, the use of digital technology, ongoing mentoring, and access to financing. As the center of economic activity in North Maluku, Ternate plays a strategic role in promoting women’s economic empowerment and strengthening the local economy.
CEO of Eramet Indonesia, Jérôme Baudelet, stated that the program is an extension of the LAKSMI initiative launched in Jakarta in September 2024. This initiative is part of Eramet’s global Women for Future program, which promotes women’s economic empowerment in countries where the company operates.
“North Maluku holds a special place for us. This region is not only home to our Weda Bay Nickel operations, but also a community we are committed to supporting as it grows and develops,” said Jérôme.
He added that the program reflects Eramet’s strong commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable economy. “LAKSMI is here not only to enhance business capacity, but also to strengthen self-confidence, networks, and access to broader economic opportunities for ultra-micro women entrepreneurs in Ternate,” Jérôme added.
During the implementation phase in Ternate, the LAKSMI program will provide financial literacy and digital marketing training to 200 ultra-micro women entrepreneurs. At the end of the program, 25 selected participants will receive business grants to support sustainable business development. The selection process will be based on several indicators, including knowledge improvement, active participation, digital skills, and commitment to business growth.
“The LAKSMI program reflects the shared commitment of YCAB Foundation and Eramet Indonesia to strengthen women’s roles in the economy through education and locally relevant economic empowerment. This collaboration supports ultra-micro women entrepreneurs in Ternate with interventions that build confidence, business knowledge, and financial and digital skills to enable sustainable enterprises. We believe that when women’s businesses grow, the impact is felt by families, communities, and the regional economy,” said Veronica Colondam, Founder & CEO of YCAB Foundation.
Veronica also noted that the initial implementation of the LAKSMI program in Jakarta exceeded its original targets. A total of 460 women-owned MSMEs completed the chatbot-based online training, surpassing the initial target of 400 participants. More than 190 participants went on to attend advanced MasterClass sessions, achieving a completion rate of 82%, exceeding the 80% target. The program also successfully engaged 100 women-owned MSMEs in advanced mentoring sessions, with more than half of participants demonstrating increased knowledge after completing the training.
Through the LAKSMI program, Eramet Indonesia and YCAB Foundation reaffirm their commitment to supporting inclusive women’s economic empowerment. The program is expected to deliver long-term impact on local economic growth and strengthen the ecosystem for women-owned MSMEs in North Maluku.
