Paper short abstract:

This study aims to understand challenges faced in a digital transformation programme for women microenterpreneurs in Indonesia, including the selection of participants of the programme, digital literacy, resources limitations among the participants, database management, and physical interaction.

Paper long abstract:

The pandemic and its policy consequences have undoubtedly impacted various life dimensions, not only health, globally. Many businesses were forced to be shut, or at least limit their activities. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which can be regarded as the backbone of Indonesian economy, were not immune to the impact of the pandemic. Many of them have experienced declined income due to physical distancing measures, as their business models mostly are traditional. Efforts are needed to minimize the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for the marginalized groups. Women, for example, are expected by society to play more significant roles in their children’s activities, while at the same time struggle to maintain their work activities. Therefore, efforts have been launched to assist women microentrepreneurs to cope with the pandemic, including programme ABC. The programme offers mentoring, coaching, business clinics, and webinars for women microentrepreneurs, particularly on the topic of business digitalization, to build knowledge and capacity to adapt their businesses and continue trading. Using a qualitative approach relying on interviews and FGDs with key stakeholders of the programme, this study aims to understand what has worked and not worked within the programme. Particularly, it identifies some challenges with regards to, among others, the selection of participants of the programme, digital literacy, resources limitations among the participants, database management, and physical interaction. It is expected that the result of this study can serve as a basis for the improvement of similar programme in the future.