ILO strengthens Indonesia’s Financial Education Network through trainer certification and capacity building

BANDUNG, West Java, Indonesia (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO), through the Improved Entrepreneurs’ Access to Financial Services Phase 2 (Promise II Impact) project, has strengthened Indonesia's capacity to deliver quality financial education by certifying six new national trainers and appointing a new ILO Regional Trainer for Financial Education.

Held in Bandung from 3 to 9 May 2026, a National Financial Education Trainer Certification Workshop and a Financial Education Refresher Workshop brought together trainers, practitioners and partner organizations from across Indonesia. The activities aimed to expand the pool of qualified trainers and strengthen the sustainability and quality of financial education programmes reaching workers, micro and small enterprises, farmers, and communities.

Financial education plays an important role in helping people make informed financial decisions, build resilience and improve their economic well-being. To support these efforts, the ILO has implemented financial education programmes in Indonesia for more than a decade, equipping workers and communities with practical skills to manage their finances and plan.

During the certification workshop, eight trainer candidates from government institutions, business development service providers, universities, employers' organizations, and development partners underwent a rigorous assessment process combining practical training delivery, peer learning, and performance evaluation. Six participants achieved national ILO Financial Education Trainer certification, expanding the country's network of qualified trainers who can deliver financial education programmes in line with ILO standards.

A key milestone was the certification of Rini Wahyu Hariyani as an ILO Regional Trainer for Financial Education in Indonesia. As a certified Regional Trainer, she is now authorized to conduct Training of Trainers programmes, supervise trainer certification processes, and support the continued expansion of Indonesia's national financial education network.

“Through the Promise II Impact project, we are investing not only in knowledge and skills, but also in local capacity and leadership. The certification of new national trainers and the appointment of a Regional Trainer represent important milestones towards creating a sustainable, nationally led financial education ecosystem that can continue expanding its impact well beyond the duration of the project,” said Djauhari Sitorus, Project Manager of the ILO Promise II Impact project.

Following the certification workshop, the ILO organized a two-day refresher workshop for 11 experienced financial education trainers from across Indonesia. The workshop introduced participants to the latest generation of ILO financial education materials, including modules tailored for dairy farmers, fisheries workers, seaweed farming communities and digital wage contexts.

Participants explored updated methodologies, exchanged field experiences, and strengthened their facilitation skills through practical exercises and structured feedback sessions. They also identified pathways towards certification and developed action plans for future programme delivery.

Participants highlighted the value of reconnecting with the national trainer network and learning about the latest financial education approaches. One trainer described the workshop as an opportunity to gain “updated knowledge on digital finance and financial inclusion and a platform to build a strong national trainer network,” while another emphasized the importance of gaining a “deeper understanding of the latest financial education module and how to deliver it in line with field realities.”

Through the Promise II Impact project, the ILO promotes financial inclusion as a pathway to improved livelihoods and economic resilience. By strengthening the capacity of trainers and institutions, the project helps ensure that quality financial education reaches more workers, entrepreneurs, farmers and communities, particularly those in underserved and vulnerable areas.

The certification of six new national trainers and the appointment of a new Regional Trainer mark an important milestone for the ILO Financial Education Programme in Indonesia. Together, these achievements are helping build a stronger and more sustainable national network capable of expanding quality financial education and supporting greater financial inclusion across the country.