World University Association of Community Development (WUACD), Kelab Lambaian Masyarakat Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and the Ministry of Community Service of Universitas Airlangga Student Executive Board organized a collaboration in holding “Go East Java 2.0”, an international community development program starting from February 21st until March 7th, 2025. This program focuses on establishing prominent and sustainable villages, not only through the introduction of technology but also by strengthening cultural brands and local tourism to elevate the economy. The goals of this program can not be achieved without a commitment to convey a solution-based approach that supports this initiative. Entrepreneurship training is part of this program’s holistic approach, powering economic development for the village through promoting entrepreneurship-led jobs for youth.

The entrepreneurship training series was held on the 7th day of “Go East Java 2.0”; some attendees participated in entrepreneurial activities held at Gumuk Village, Banyuwangi. The day started with a breakfast session and preparation for the day, which was continued with a Barber Workshop. The program was designed for male Islamic junior high school students as the target audience who were given the basics of barber skills by the Go East Java 2.0 committee, which is a professional shop-owner barber from Malaysia as the source person. This session started with a technical presentation using PowerPoint and poster as a media, then continued to a practical session. In the practical session, besides the students were given the knowledge of basic barber skills, they were also given a free haircut, which also served as a way to learn it through practical examples. The aims were to give the community complex skills and entrepreneurial skills in regard to opening new businesses where job opportunities could open up for the village residents. As the Barber Workshop ended, people had time to pray and enjoy lunch.

After providing the local communities focusing on male students with barber skill, soon after, the Crochet Time session started. In this program, the committee targeted female Islamic junior high school student audiences in Gumuk Village. Later on, a similar program would also be implemented in the other three villages. By joining this program, participants got to express their creativity and art skills, also exercising motor coordination skills. At first, the skilled students taught the basics of crocheting, then, the activity continued with practicing crochet altogether. The acquired skills can be developed into a small handcrafts business. As one of the collaborators of “Go East Java 2.0”, WUACD is committed to implement the SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals) by strengthening meaningful global partnerships for sustainable development. Here, WUACD, Kelab Lambaian Masyarakat Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, and the Ministry of Community Service of Universitas Airlangga Student Executive Board share the same goals in developing the village’s economy through introducing new hard skills and encouraging the youth of Gumuk Village to take part in service industry and creative business.