In order to encourage inclusive and sustainable local economic empowerment, the REKABAYA (Rewang UMK Surabaya) student group from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR) in collaboration with the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Regional Office IV runs the Community Service Program Concerning Micro and Small Enterprises Vol. 2. This activity takes place for a full month in the city of Surabaya, specifically in the districts of Gubeng, Wonokromo, Simokerto, and Tambaksari, with the main focus on mentoring 12 Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) as well as economic literacy education for high school students.
Before starting the mentoring, the REKABAYA team first conducted a pre-test on all business actors. This aimed to measure their initial level of understanding of business management, financial literacy, and the importance of healthy competition in the business world. The pre-test results were used as a basis for designing mentoring strategies tailored to the needs of each MSE. The REKABAYA team, consisting of: 1.) Mario Valentino, 2.) Safira Andina, 3.) Marcelino Ariyanto, and 4.) Timothy Teguh Febryan, all came from the Management Study Program, class of 2023.
During the mentoring process, various solutions were implemented directly in the field. One key action was activating QRIS as a cashless payment method, which was implemented at various MSEs, such as Soto Daging Madura Bang Thoyyib and Bakso Solo Cendana Putra. This effort helped businesses become more modern, efficient, and user-friendly to consumers accustomed to digital transactions.
MSEs such as Nasi Goreng Cak Kasan, Mie Ayam Wonogiri, and Ayam Geprek Simokerto also received support in creating attractive and informative visual promotional banners. This approach is designed to strengthen the business image and increase visual appeal. Meanwhile, to expand digital reach, the REKABAYA team assisted Mie Ayam Ceker Bang Azzam and Bakso Solo Cendana Putra in creating and optimizing Google Business Profile accounts, so their business information can be easily accessed via Google Maps.
Similarly, for Shoes Care Garage, mentoring focused on improving social media, including reactivating the Instagram account, structuring content to be more consistent and professional, and digital strategies to expand audience reach and build more active engagement with potential customers. This aims to expand the market, especially among customers who actively use social media and are accustomed to searching for shoe cleaning services online. Furthermore, digitizing financial records is also a key focus. One example is being implemented at V'Cha Bakery, which now uses the Kasir Pintar application as a tool to record daily transactions more organized and efficiently.
The results of this program show very positive developments. Most of the assisted MSMEs have successfully activated QRIS as a digital payment method. Based on observations of the 12 MSMEs, the majority have also been registered on Google Maps, significantly increasing their online visibility. Nearly all MSME partners have also been equipped with visual promotional materials such as banners and menu catalogs, which help strengthen their business identity and increase their competitiveness in the surrounding area.
"Previously, many customers, especially young people and students, would cancel their purchases because I only accepted cash. Now that I'm using QRIS and my business appears on Google Maps, it's easier for them to pay and find me. I feel like my business is busier and more up-to-date," said Mr. Andri, owner of Bakso Solo Cendana Putra.
Not only targeting MSEs, this program also targets students through economic literacy education at Santa Agnes Catholic High School and Santo Stanislaus Catholic High School. The socialization was carried out interactively through presentations on the world of digital business and the importance of understanding economics from an early age. This activity also included a closer introduction to FEB UNAIR, including study programs, student activities, and career prospects in economics. Accompanied by educational games, quizzes with prizes, and the distribution of merchandise, this session was presented in a fun way and encouraged students' interest in the world of business and higher education.
"It turns out studying economics is fun, especially when it's explained in a fun way. I've learned more about the majors at FEB UNAIR and am thinking about starting my own business in the future," said a 12th-grade student at Santa Agnes Senior High School.
This activity not only reflects the Tri Dharma of Higher Education but also contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) point 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Through the digitalization of MSEs and the economic education of the younger generation, REKABAYA demonstrates that synergy between students, universities, and government institutions can create real and sustainable social impact.
