Batu, en.SERU.co.id – The National Creative Economy Movement (Gekrafs) of Batu City held a capacity-building and mentoring program for local creative economy actors through an initiative titled PartnerUp. The Kick Off for Batch 2 was carried out in the Meeting Room on the 4th Floor of the Batu City Souvenir Center on Saturday, 3 October 2026.
Chair of the Gekrafs Batu Branch Yanuar Baihaqi said the Gekrafs Batu PartnerUp Batch 2 program is being attended by 60 MSMEs from across Batu City. Unlike the previous year’s organization that applied strict selection, the 2026 PartnerUp program adopts a more inclusive approach. All participants receive equal opportunities to grow and develop until the end of the nine-month program ahead.
“In last year’s organization, out of 60 curated business actors, only six winners were selected. However, in this PartnerUp program, the organizers ensure there is no elimination system, cancellation, or prohibition for participants to continue following the training,” he said.
Yanuar stated that for the participants of Gekrafs Batu PartnerUp #2 this year, the organizers will provide facilities based on the performance and activeness of each participant. Active and diligent participants will receive additional mentoring facilities.
“Based on the initial assessment data from a total of 56 registered business actors, as many as 26 business actors have completed the initial evaluation form,” said Mas Yanu, as he is commonly addressed.
Yanu explained that the PartnerUp program owned by Gekrafs Batu has a vision to create a network of creative economy actors in Batu City that is resilient. It aims for high solidarity and is supported by responsive programs that can be duplicated. The mentoring provided ranges from training, mentoring, and coaching to product trials.
“We also encourage collaboration among participants so that they can complement each other’s expertise and progress together,” he stated.
Yanu added that the main target of this program is to increase the sales figures of products and services from the PartnerUp participants. For the program to run well, participants are also expected to open their financial reports transparently to the organizers. The purpose is solely for program evaluation needs.
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“From this program we also hope to open opportunities for the formation of a cooperative or joint business for the long-term economic strengthening of the members,” he hoped.
Yanu further added that to support the marketing of products and services belonging to the participants, Gekrafs Kota Batu is preparing a Creative Space. This place is located in the exit area of the Batu Love Garden (Baloga) tourist attraction as a display for physical products as well as promotion of services such as music, event organizing, photography, and videography. The organizers also provide a partnership space that can be used for various training and workshop activities.
“Later there will also be cooperation for an exhibition space for participant products at the souvenir center in the Bromo area that is planned to start operating in December, complete with opportunities for production capital assistance for potential products,” he added.
The Gekrafs side is aware of the challenges of the highly unique diversity of the participants’ business backgrounds. Therefore, the material given by the mentors focuses on a general framework that is compatible for all sectors. Meanwhile, its application can be returned to the practices of each respective business.
“In its implementation later, participants will independently record training points and upload periodic assignments through the online system platform that has been prepared by Gekrafs Batu as the organizer,” he concluded. (dik/ono)
