Empowering Indonesian MSMEs through AI-enabled sustainability for global market access
The Business & Export Development Organization (BEDO), under the Canada Trade and Investment Facility (CTIF) mandate, engaged Globally Cool to strengthen the export readiness and sustainability capacity of Indonesian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Implemented in collaboration with Parahyangan Catholic University (UNPAR) and in coordination with the Ministry of Trade of Indonesia and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the project aimed to equip MSMEs, particularly women-led businesses, with AI-enabled tools to comply with international Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.
Globally Cool designed and delivered an innovative AI-powered sustainability toolkit, capacity-building programme, and coaching framework to transform ESG compliance from a perceived burden into a strategic export advantage for Indonesian MSMEs targeting markets such as Canada and the European Union.
Year
Country
IndonesiaType of activity
- Blended learning
- Digital Marketing
- Onsite training
Activities
- Developed an AI-enabled ESG training toolkit including an online ESG checker, seven custom GPT-based tools for ESG strategy development, performance data sheets, sustainability reporting aligned with GRI and international standards, sustainability-focused content creation tools, dashboards, and eight micro-learning video modules. This toolkit simplified complex reporting processes and increased accessibility for MSMEs with limited resources.
- Designed and delivered a hybrid Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for 41 BEDO and UNPAR trainers (27 women, 14 men), strengthening institutional capacity to independently replicate and scale AI-enabled ESG support nationwide.
- Facilitated pilot MSME trainings in Bandung and Bali for 51 MSMEs (30 women, 21 men), focusing on ESG gap analysis, sustainability strategy formulation, sustainability reporting, and AI-powered digital communication for export markets.
- Provided expert-led coaching sessions enabling MSMEs to apply AI tools in practice, resulting in the development of ESG strategies, sustainability performance dashboards, and sustainability-themed marketing content.
- Engaged institutional stakeholders including the Indonesian Ministry of Trade, GRI, and ITPC Canada to strengthen alignment with national export programmes such as the NEXT (New Export Breakthrough) initiative.
Results
- 41 trainers trained and equipped to deliver AI-powered ESG sustainability support across Indonesia.
- 51 MSMEs strengthened in ESG compliance and export readiness, with many women-led enterprises reporting improved access to new markets and financing opportunities.
- Average AI confidence levels increased to 5.1 (on a 6-point scale), with 87% of participants reporting high post-training confidence.
- 30 ESG Strategy Documents and 28 Sustainability-themed content calendars produced during coaching sessions — exceeding original targets by 300% and 280% respectively.
- 100% confidence improvement among women participants in integrating AI and ESG reporting.
- Formal integration of the Sustainability Reporting framework into the Ministry of Trade’s NEXT 2026 programme, enabling national scaling.
- Demonstrated 80% time efficiency gains in ESG reporting and sustainability content development through AI-enabled tools.