Jakarta, May 9, 2025 — The Lestari Forum 2025, themed “Sustainable Ecosystems Start with SME–Corporate Collaboration”, was held on May 8, 2025, at Studio 2 Menara Kompas, Central Jakarta. This cross-sector dialogue platform aims to accelerate the development of a sustainable ecosystem in Indonesia through strategic partnerships between small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large corporations.
The forum featured discussions on key topics such as mapping partnerships within the sustainable investment ecosystem, lessons learned from long-term impact investing, and strategies to win the Lestari Awards, an initiative that recognizes outstanding sustainable business practices.
Mapping Partnerships in the Sustainable Investment Ecosystem
Sustainable Finance Advisor at WWF-Indonesia, Rizkia Sari Yudawinata, emphasized that SME decarbonization efforts continue to face significant financial and structural barriers. Limited technical capacity, restricted access to funding, and dependency on anchor buyers are among the key challenges. While providers of renewable energy solutions (RE ESCOs) are beginning to grow, energy efficiency ESCOs (EE ESCOs) still struggle due to high audit costs, a limited number of providers, and the lack of bankable business models.
Moreover, strict collateral requirements and limited incentives further constrain SMEs’ access to green financing. Rizkia encouraged local banks to begin adopting approaches that have proven effective among international financial institutions, such as credit guarantee schemes, development finance institution (DFI) support, and leasing models facilitated through ESCOs.
Director of ANGIN Advisory, Saskia Tjokro, also emphasized that corporations must proactively engage SMEs to avoid being left behind in the sustainability transition. “Through incubation, ESG and sustainability training, supply chain partnerships, and improved market access,” she explained.
She further noted that while impact investment funding has increased over the past five years (2019–2024), the number of transactions has slightly declined, suggesting a shift toward fewer but larger investments. Meanwhile, smaller investors are becoming more active, as shown by rising transaction volumes and values.
In the Indonesian context, interest from prospective impact investors continues to grow, particularly from international actors—indicating that the potential for sustainable and impact-driven investment remains significant.
