14 August 2025
Syafrijal S.Kom
The University of North Sumatra (USU) Community Service Team, consisting of the Head of Community Service, Prof. Dr. Ritha F. Dalimunthe, SE., M.Si., and members Dr. Meutia Nauly, M.Si., Psychologist, and Dr. Fadli, SE., M.Si., along with international partners, Associate Professor Dr. Nor Hafizah Selamat from the Center for Women and Gender Research (KANITA), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), held a series of community-based economic empowerment activities in Denai Sarang Burung Village, Pantai Labu District, Deli Serdang Regency, on Friday (August 1, 2025).
This activity focused on increasing the capacity of women entrepreneurs, strengthening the community, and developing digital markets and marketing. It began with the development of an entrepreneurship and digital marketing training curriculum, followed by a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on June 27, 2024, in the Hall of the Denai Sarang Burung Village Head's Office. The FGD was attended by 39 participants from the village government, female MSMEs, community leaders, women's communities, and village youth. The discussion resulted in collaborative strategies including the formation of Joint Business Groups (KUB), improving digital literacy, strengthening business legality, and developing a village promotional website integrated with the concept of Malay cultural tourism.
The next stage included training and workshops on processing household waste into economically valuable products, such as eco-enzymes, eco-enzyme-based liquid soap, bokashi fertilizer, coconut shell briquettes, and creative recycled plastic products (the Ticmates program). These activities not only trained technical skills but also instilled the concept of environmentally friendly social entrepreneurship.
Also present at the event was Maria Monarita Damanik, S.Keb.MSi, from the Halal Product Assistance Officer (P3H) at Asahan University. She provided literacy and assistance with halal certification, Business Identification Numbers (NIB), and P-IRT (Institute for Household Property Ownership). She also provided guidance to participants on improving packaging design, utilizing digital media for marketing, and developing business development action plans.
The Head of Community Service, Prof. Ritha, explained that this activity was designed not only to improve the technical skills of female MSMEs but also to build an inclusive and sustainable village entrepreneurial ecosystem. "Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role as pillars of family well-being. We want to ensure that this program leaves a legacy that can be continued by the community, with the support of local and international networks," she said.
The Head of Denai Sarang Burung Village, Katimin, SE, expressed his appreciation for this initiative and expressed his full commitment to the program's sustainability. "We thank P3H UNA, USU, and USM for guiding our community. This program aligns with the village's vision to encourage community economic independence and open up greater business opportunities," he emphasized.
The program will continue with business mentoring and monitoring of participants' progress over the next six months. The Community Service Team also plans to integrate the marketing of village MSME products into a digital platform accessible to buyers from various regions.
"With the synergy between halal product mentors, universities, the village government, and the community, it is hoped that women entrepreneurs in Denai Sarang Burung Village can develop further, become more independent, and be highly competitive in the modern market," concluded Mona from P3H UNA.
https://www.cintarakyat.com/2025/08/14/usu-dan-usm-bersinergi-penguatan-literasi-kewirausahaan-dongkrak-potensi-ekonomi-lokal-desa-denai-sarang-burung/
