In Karangpakis Village, strengthening the local economy is not only about helping small businesses grow. It is also about making sure communities are prepared when disasters strike.
That idea shaped a community engagement program carried out by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Universitas Negeri Semarang, or FISIP UNNES, together with the Karangpakis Village Government in Nusawungu District, Cilacap Regency, on July 2, 2026.
Led by Aprillia Findayani, the program involved about 70 participants, including small-business owners, village officials and local residents.
The program was designed to help residents develop businesses based on local potential while strengthening community preparedness for disaster risks.
“Strengthening the local economy will be more sustainable when it goes hand in hand with improving the community’s capacity to respond to disaster risks,” Aprillia said.
She said tourism development cannot rely solely on local attractions and economic activity. Community resilience is also essential if economic growth is to endure over the long term.
Participants took part in training and mentoring on small-business development, village institutional capacity, product quality, branding strategies and digital marketing.
Disaster preparedness was also integrated into the program, particularly as part of efforts to develop a tourism village that is both safe and sustainable.
The approach was participatory. Participants did not simply receive information; they joined discussions, practical exercises and mentoring sessions designed to help them apply new knowledge directly to their businesses and community activities.
For local business owners, stronger branding and marketing can help locally produced goods compete more effectively. For village officials and residents, understanding disaster risks is part of creating a safer environment for both the community and visitors.
“Through this program, we hope Karangpakis can develop into a tourism village that is productive, resilient and sustainable,” Aprillia said.
The Karangpakis Village Government said the program offered residents a new perspective on the connection between business development and disaster preparedness.
“This program has provided new insights for the community, particularly small-business owners, on business development and the importance of disaster preparedness,” a village representative said.
The village government also expressed hope that its collaboration with Universitas Negeri Semarang would continue to support local economic development and broader village progress.
