Fatur Rachman Hidayat is the young man behind the formation of the Inisiasi Muda organization in a rural village near one of Astra Agro’s business entities, PT Letawa, located in Pasangkayu Regency, West Sulawesi. While his peers were focused on personal development, Fatur thought outside the box and started this non-profit organization on his own at the age of 23.
Driven by his desire to benefit his hometown, Fatur aimed to initiate change among the young people around him. The term “young change-maker” may sound impressive at first, but Fatur reveals the true challenges that come with being an educator.
In addition to his efforts with Inisiasi Muda, Fatur works as a young lecturer at Universitas Terbuka in Pasangkayu and also teaches business subjects at a high school in Tikke Village, his hometown. “Basically, I really enjoy learning and engaging in business, which is likely what led me to the teaching profession after earning my master’s degree,” Fatur explains.
With strong determination, he initiated the Inisiasi Muda organization, starting to voice his opinions in his village. He spread his goals through word of mouth and utilized social networking sites. The year 2022 marked the beginning of these activities.
Fatur’s role as the founder of Inisiasi Muda gained prominence after the organization’s first major program, which involved planting hundreds of trees in Tikke Village over three consecutive days. This initiative actively engaged village officials and the local community. “The village government and the community, along with the Inisiasi Muda program, receive full support from PT Letawa, the company that collaborates with and supports Tikke Village,” he stated.
According to Fatur, without the material and non-material support from one of Astra Agro’s subsidiaries in West Sulawesi, his organization might not have reached its current level of success. He currently oversees dozens of members in his organization, which consists of young people from Tikke Village, especially those lacking productive activities. “I want to help them engage in more productive activities by participating in the Inisiasi Muda community,” he explained.
The community has initiated a variety of positive activities, ranging from creating small podcasts related to environmental concerns to participating as speakers at seminars, conducting village care projects, and holding regular community activities.
Change is Not Instant
Fatur Rahman Hidayat, the chairman and founder of Inisiasi Muda, emphasized that empowering youth, particularly in rural areas, requires time and effort. To be successful in the marketplace, young people need comprehensive training and mentoring that covers fundamental knowledge, business analysis, and effective marketing strategies.
He has encountered challenges in raising awareness among the members of the community, which operates as a non-profit organization. “Often, friends are focused on gaining material benefits. Meanwhile, we at Inisiasimuda are genuinely a social institution that does not charge any fees. Convincing them has been a significant challenge,” he stated.
Fortunately, PT Letawa continually collaborates with Inisiasi Muda to enhance the competencies of local youth. Their partnership implements various social, educational, and environmental programs in the Tikke Raya area of Pasangkayu Regency, West Sulawesi.
Astra Agro’s support through PT Letawa aligns with the company’s commitment to achieving the Sustainability Aspiration 2030, particularly in terms of public contribution. Through this collaboration, PT Letawa aims to empower the village’s younger generation to become socially and economically independent.
One highlight of this partnership was the national webinar titled “Impactful Village Youth,” held in a hybrid format in Jengeng Raya Village, West Sulawesi, on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The event, themed “From the Village to the World,” attracted hundreds of youths from various regions.
Inisiasimuda aims to become an independent organization focused on Edutechpreneur and Sociopreneur programs. One of their current initiatives is a sustainable food resilience program that not only has economic value but also serves as a learning space for rural communities.
Additionally, a significant aspiration of the community, in collaboration with PT Letawa, is to provide scholarships for school-aged children in the village who wish to continue their education but face financial constraints. Fatur and his community believe that PT Letawa, which has a reputation for empowering its community, can help achieve these dreams and aspirations.
Fatur recounted the transformation his village has undergone since PT Letawa’s arrival. “Undeniably, since its inception, PT Letawa has brought about significant changes, particularly in terms of empowerment.”
This contribution remains ongoing, and nearly 80% of the village’s population earns a living from PT Letawa, either as direct employees or through third-party collaborations.
The community’s hopes for the future are not extravagant. Simply continuing to provide positive activities for its youth is a source of pride for Fatur, much like the impact that PT Letawa has had in his village.
