Jakarta, 11 September 2025 – Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, explored strategic collaboration with the Uma Nusantara Foundation and PT Propan Raya to develop a sustainable Creative Village program. This collaboration will focus on architecture and craft development based on local wisdom in 83 creative districts that are currently partners of the Ministry of Creative Economy.
Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Teuku Riefky Harsya, menerima audiensi dari Yayasan Uma Nusantara dan PT. Propan Raya untuk mengembangkan program Desa Kreatif, Jakarta, Kamis (11/09/2025).
“Currently, there are 83 creative districts serving as our strategic partners, and there is a Creative Village program that we can further develop together. Through collaboration with various parties, including PT Propan Raya and the Uma Nusantara Foundation, whether in the architecture, infrastructure, or craft subsectors, we hope to create programs that are not merely ceremonial but impactful, generating a domino effect in the community,” said Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky at the Ministry of Creative Economy, Jakarta, on Thursday, 11 September 2025.
The Minister of Creative Economy also appreciated the “Menenun Rumah” program, initiated by Uma Nusantara Foundation in collaboration with PT Propan Raya in Umapura Village, Alor, NTT, where local houses are painted with colors inspired by traditional Alor weaving motifs. Minister of Creative Economy Riefky noted that the program’s vision aligns with the Ministry’s mission to promote creative industries rooted in local wisdom and culture.
“If we observe global trends, creative industries usually thrive in countries with strong cultural roots, such as Japan, Korea, China, and potentially Indonesia next. Culture is the upstream that must be preserved; innovation, creativity, and the creative economy then form the downstream,” said Minister of Creative Economy Riefky.
He further explained that while Indonesia is rich in cultural diversity, commercialization remains a challenge.
“The ‘Menenun Rumah’ program successfully integrates the upstream without damaging it, creating a ripple effect that benefits local communities,” Minister of Creative Economy Riefky added.
Yori Antar, founder of Uma Nusantara Foundation and architect at Han Awal & Partners, emphasized that Indonesia’s main strengths lie in creativity and communal cooperation. He stressed that these should be combined with an entrepreneurial spirit to generate opportunities with real impact.
“As an architect, I was never taught entrepreneurship, yet it is a skill for creating jobs. We often wait for top-down projects, but what is needed is to create opportunities ourselves. Indonesians are incredibly creative, and by combining creativity with a spirit of mutual cooperation, we can transform this mindset into a bottom-up approach,” said Yori.
Doc. Communication Bureau of Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency.
Meanwhile, PT Propan Director Yuwono Imanto highlighted that since 2012, the company has consistently supported Nusantara architecture through various design competitions. He believes competitions have greater impact than seminars, as they produce both creative ideas and tangible implementations.
“Through collaboration with the Ministry of Creative Economy, we aim to ensure that creative ideas directly benefit the community. Programs such as the Nusantara Homestay competition, for example, help improve housing quality while opening new economic opportunities,” Yuwono explained.
Uma Nusantara Foundation focuses on preserving traditional architecture and indigenous cultures. Since 2008, the foundation has actively rebuilt traditional houses, taught Nusantara architecture to younger generations, and supported weaving centers, such as through the Sumba Weaving Route program. PT Propan Raya, a national paint producer, also consistently supports Nusantara architecture and cultural preservation through CSR programs, including village tourism development.
Through potential collaboration with these two partners, the Ministry of Creative Economy is optimistic about creating sustainable programs that can strengthen the creative industry ecosystem as a driver of national economic growth, starting from local communities.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of Bureau of Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
