In Pakistan, mental health disorders constitute an escalating global burden of disease. Under-resourced healthcare systems coupled with recent economic and environmental challenges exacerbate mental health distress and impedes the recovery of those suffering from mental health issues. Psychosocial rehabilitation provides a sustainable pathway to strengthen health systems capacity by focusing on functional recovery and community reintegration. Since 1971, Fountain House has been providing psychosocial rehabilitation to people suffering from mental health issues in Pakistan through its community-based social services. Poverty is both a cause and consequence of mental illness. Akhuwat, a non-profit organization, aims to address this gap by providing interest-free micro loans, vocational training and subsidized health and housing assistance to those deprived of formal financial services. This article explores early outcomes of a collaborative venture between Fountain House and Akhuwat, working at the intersection of poverty and mental health with the combined goal of psychosocial rehabilitation and economic empowerment.

This study aims to describe the implementation of the Community Economic Empowerment Program in the coastal area of Samber Village, Yendidori District, Biak Numfor Regency through the Kalamo Program (Modern Fishermen's Village). The approach used is qualitative descriptive with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation. The results of the study show that the implementation of the Kalamo Program has had a positive impact on the coastal community of Samber Village. In terms of improving skills and institutional access, it can be seen that there is training and the formation of cooperatives, although the management still needs to be improved. In terms of natural resource management, some communities have begun to implement more environmentally friendly fishing practices. Meanwhile, the improvement of the quality of life of the community can be seen from the increase in income and the emergence of new business opportunities, although it is not evenly distributed among all fishermen groups. Overall, the implementation of this program has been running, but it is not fully optimal. Further efforts are needed to strengthen institutional capacity, equitable program distribution, and increase socialization so that the empowerment goals can be achieved comprehensively.

Gender Roles and Empowerment Goals: The LDS Women's Experience in Brazil

General Background: Community-based financial services play a pivotal role in addressing financial exclusion and fostering equitable development, particularly in regions with limited access to conventional banking. Specific Background: Within the Islamic economics framework, Layanan Simpan Pinjam Jamaah (Lasisma) at BMT NU Genteng embodies ethical finance through the Qard Hasan contract—an interest-free loan aligned with Sharia principles. Knowledge Gap: However, empirical studies on the ethical dimensions and socio-economic outcomes of such models remain scarce. Aims: This study aims to examine the ethical practices, economic benefits, and community impacts of Lasisma in promoting financial inclusion and social justice. Results: Using interviews and document analysis, the research finds that Lasisma fosters transparency, fairness, and mutual benefit while enhancing community solidarity and empowering small businesses. Novelty: The study offers a unique insight into how a localized, faith-based financial initiative operationalizes Islamic economic values in practice, particularly through collateral-free, ethical financing. Implications: The findings contribute to the discourse on sustainable economic development by illustrating how community-rooted Islamic financial services can serve as viable alternatives to conventional microfinance, aligning with both ethical mandates and socio-economic empowerment goals. Highlights: Promotes ethical, interest-free financing based on Islamic principles. Strengthens community solidarity and financial accessibility. Supports local businesses through collateral-free microloans. Keywords: Qard Hasan, Islamic Economics, Community Based Services, Social Justice, Economic Empowerment.

This study endeavors to delve into and grasp the challenges encountered in implementing the Village Economic Enterprise Community Empowerment Program (P2M-UEK) within the trade and plantation sectors in Pematang Pudu Village, Bengkalis Regency. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were obtained through in-depth interviews and document review. The results indicate that the implementation of the program faces obstacles, including a significant number of loan repayment failures, competition from cooperatives and formal financial institutions, and insufficient outreach or socialization to the public. These challenges negatively affect the smooth circulation of revolving funds and contribute to the community’s limited comprehension and participation in the program. To address these issues, improvements are needed in communication strategies, institutional capacity, and managerial competence to ensure that the goals of community empowerment through the UEK initiative are fully realized.

Microcredit was introduced to provide small loan to the poor, especially women, to become self-employed by engaging in micro-entrepreneurship. This small loan allows the poor to create income-generating activities that help them achieve economic independence. However, despite the widely claimed positive impact of microcredit on poverty reduction and women's empowerment, some studies have discovered a negative impact of microcredit on the beneficiaries. In view of this, this paper is intended to review whether the literature supports the role of microcredit in achieving such goals of poverty reduction and women's empowerment in Malaysia. The literature was generated from three electronic databases, which are Scopus, Science Direct, and SpringerLink, by using the following key search terms: microcredit impact, microcredit on poverty reduction, and microcredit on women's empowerment. All papers reviewed were from 2010 to 2024, and only studies that have been carried out in Malaysia were selected. We identified 68 articles; however, only 15 articles were selected to be reviewed based on the inclusion criteria. We found that microcredit has successfully delivered a positive impact on poverty reduction and women's empowerment. However, the review highlighted the importance of implementing a rigorous approach to measure the impact of microcredit on income increment. Meanwhile, the measurement of women's empowerment should integrate all dimensions of empowerment to avoid bias in the outcomes.

While rich in cultural and natural assets, Indonesia's tourism sector faces substantial challenges in adopting digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). The persistent digital divide between more developed and remote regions within Indonesia and limited AI readiness among tourism micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) hampers the sector's inclusive and sustainable growth potential. This study aims to identify and prioritize strategic directions for AI-driven tourism development in Indonesia by employing an expert panel method integrated with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). In 2025, this study was carried out in various provinces across Indonesia. Through structured pairwise comparisons, the research analyses expert judgments to rank five core strategies: strengthening digital infrastructure, enhancing AI literacy for MSMEs, developing an integrated national AI tourism platform, formulating ethical and data governance frameworks, and promoting sustainable AI utilization. The results revealed that digital infrastructure development is the most critical enabler, followed by capacity building for MSMEs. These two priorities form the foundational basis upon which other strategies depend. The study concludes that a phased and inclusive approach to AI integration is essential, supported by targeted investments, regulatory clarity, and cross-sector collaboration. It recommends a national policy roadmap that ensures AI technologies serve economic objectives and the goals of community empowerment and environmental preservation, positioning Indonesia as a regional leader in sustainable, AI-powered tourism development.

Strategic partnerships among Community Learning Centers (PKBM), industries, and governments play a critical role in empowering community economies through entrepreneurship education. This study aims to identify and develop an effective collaborative model that integrates multiparty efforts to support entrepreneurship training based on local needs. The research employed a qualitative-descriptive method with a case study approach at PKBM Attarbiyah, Arjasari District, Bandung Regency. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis. The findings reveal that collaboration involving industries in providing technology-based training, government support through policies and regulations, and PKBM as program facilitators effectively enhances learners' entrepreneurial skills and strengthens local economic ecosystems. This model resulted in a 40% increase in learners' economic independence through training tailored to local industrial demands. The implementation of this model underscores the importance of multiparty synergy in ensuring the sustainability of entrepreneurship education. These findings support the development of policies and practices in community education aligned with the goals of community-based economic empowerment.

Gender Equality and Women Empowerment are the two facets of the same coin. The progress towards gender equality requires empowerment of women and vice-versa. Gender equality and Women Empowerment have been specifically recognized over the past decades as vital not only to the welfare of nations but also to social and economic growth. Globally, women always have had fewer opportunities in economic participation than men, lesser access to basic and higher education, greater risks to health and safety, and less representation on the political level. This paper highlights the importance of gender equality in women empowerment, gender inequality in development, and gender mainstreaming in development. The study aims to assess progress in India towards the twin goals of gender equality and women empowerment. The present paper investigates the pivotal role of women in India's socio-economic landscape and explores strategies to advance gender equality. The study adopts a comprehensive approach for analyzing the historical perspectives, current challenges and potential opportunities for the women empowerment and primarily focuses on key areas such as education, healthcare, political representation, workforce participation and societal attitudes. Moreover, the research examines the broader societal impacts of women's empowerment, including its role in fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development. The findings of this research contribute to the ongoing discourse on gender equality in India by providing various actionable insights for policymakers, NGOs, and other stakeholders. The proposed blueprint aims to serve as a roadmap for the implementation of effective strategies that will not only elevate the status of women but also foster an environment where India can fully harness the potential of its entire population for sustained growth and prosperity. The study clearly states that gender equality plays a pivotal role in promoting economic growth. Ultimately, "Women Rising, India Thriving" advocates for a collaborative and inclusive approach towards achieving gender equality as a cornerstone for the nation's holistic development. Keywords: Gender Equality, Gender Parity, Women Empowerment, Inequality, Sex Ratio, Education

The Batik Tuah & Teja program is a creative effort that aims to engage university students in preserving Malaysia's intangible cultural heritage through batik-making while also developing entrepreneurial skills. The program combines traditional arts with business education to achieve the dual goals of cultural protection and youth empowerment. In conjunction with local artisans and industry experts, students were introduced to hands-on batik techniques like batik pelangi, as well as design and colouring workshops. An entrepreneurship module based on the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and mobile sales events provided practical experience with business development and marketing. This initiative aims to address the dual need for cultural preservation and youth empowerment by equipping students with knowledge of batik's historical significance and its potential in the modern entrepreneurial ecosystem. To analyze the program's impact, semi-structured interviews were performed with 40 participants' group leaders. The findings demonstrated that students had increased cultural awareness and respect for batik, as well as increased confidence in their business ability. The findings suggest that Batik Tuah & Teja effectively integrates cultural education with entrepreneurial development, offering a scalable model for youth-focused heritage preservation. Future implementations may benefit from expanded partnerships and the inclusion of digital tools to broaden impact. This study highlights the program's success in bridging tradition with innovation, supporting sustainable cultural engagement among the younger generation.

Women's self-worth is a key component of empowerment. The goal of women's empowerment is to provide women equal opportunities in all spheres of life, regardless of caste, creed, or colour. Women's empowerment has many facets and is difficult to measure. It includes all of the intricate relationships, duties, privileges, and statuses associated with being male or female in a particular community or culture. This entails encouraging and advising them on how to recognize and address their areas of weakness. Within India's Millennium Development Goals, empowering women is one of the important goals set by the government. This research article's main goal is to know the degree of women's empowerment by determining how capable they are of making decisions for their households, evaluating their capacity to make economic decisions, and assessing their freedom of movement to provide recommendations and ideas for enhancing women's empowerment in India. The cornerstone of women's empowerment, prosperity, progress, and welfare is education. As Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru has said, the education of a woman benefits her family as a whole. Women's empowerment is mostly dependent on education, which enables them to fully engage in the social, economic, and political realms. Nonetheless, especially in developing nations, women continue to encounter substantial obstacles in their pursuit of an education

Geosciences today play a vital societal role beyond their traditional extractive functions, offering innovative approaches to disseminate knowledge that supports local problem solving and climate resilience. UNESCO Global Geoparks have emerged as strategic platforms for promoting sustainable geoscientific values such as geodiversity, geoeducation, geoconservation, and geoethics. Within the Volcán del Ruiz Geopark Project (VRGP), an effusive andesitic monogenetic volcanic field contains both volcanological and industrial geoheritage. Using Brilha’s evaluation framework, this study assessed eight volcanic features and one industrial site, identifying La Capilla volcano and the Cementos Caldas ruins as having the highest scientific, educational, and touristic value. A structured georoute was proposed, integrating interpretive strategies to enhance public engagement with geodiversity, spatial awareness, and volcanic processes. The success of such initiatives depends on active community participation and interinstitutional collaboration to ensure the appropriation and operationalization of geoscientific knowledge. The VRGP stands out as a promising territorial strategy for anchoring geoeducation and geotourism within broader sustainability and community empowerment goals.

Microfinance approval systems are pivotal in extending financial services to underserved communities while maintaining the delicate equilibrium between social impact and financial sustainability. This paper delves into the essential elements, obstacles, and innovations shaping microfinance approval mechanisms, underscoring their dual mission—alleviating poverty while ensuring long-term operational viability. We explore the transformative role of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence and data analytics, in evaluating creditworthiness for individuals without conventional credit histories. Additionally, we scrutinize the ethical implications and potential risks of automating loan approvals, ensuring inclusivity without inadvertently reinforcing financial disparities. Through case studies and best practices, this study provides practical strategies for developing approval frameworks that uphold financial prudence while prioritizing equitable access, ultimately advancing broader socio-economic development and empowerment goals.

In the midst of globalization and technological advances, libraries are required to transform into centers of social inclusion that are able to encourage socio-economic development. This study aims to describe the effectiveness of the knitting class program in developing a social inclusion-based library implemented by the West Sumatra Provincial Archives and Libraries Office. The research method used is a quantitative approach with a descriptive survey design. The research sample was 30 program participants who were determined using the saturated sample technique. Data were collected through observation, interviews, and the distribution of Likert-scale questionnaires that had been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis techniques used descriptive statistics, including editing, tabulation, frequency distribution, and percentages. To maintain data validity, triangulation techniques and discussions with peers were applied. The results showed that the knitting class program was rated effective based on five key indicators: program understanding, targeting accuracy, timeliness, goal achievement, and tangible changes. Participants demonstrated a high understanding of the empowerment goals, as well as experiencing increased skills and tangible economic benefits from the program. In addition, the program implementation ran on time and was able to form a new social network through the knitting community. In conclusion, the knitting class program contributed positively to the development of a social inclusion-based library and became a good practice in supporting the socio-economic development of the community in a sustainable manner.

The high percentage of poor people in Banten Province, the decreasing number of small and medium businesses in Banten Province during Covid 19, the decreasing income for small and medium businesses in Banten Province. The digital literacy of SMEs is still low due to technology. This research aims to analyze the implementation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) empowerment policies at the Banten Province Cooperatives and SMEs Service. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative using a two- dimensional analysis tool proposed by Marilee S. Grindle, namely Content of Policy and Context of Policy, data collection through interviews, observation and documentation. This research focuses on how the policy is implemented and the factors that influence its success. The research results show that the implementation of SMEs empowerment policies in Banten Province experiences various challenges, including limited resources, lack of coordination between institutions, and low community participation. However, there have been significant efforts by local governments to increase access to capital and training for SMEs. This research also identifies the importance of support from various parties, including the community and the private sector, in achieving the goal of economic empowerment. The conclusions of this research emphasize the need for a more integrated and collaborative strategy in implementing SME empowerment policies, as well as the need for regular evaluation to ensure the effectiveness of the programs being implemented. It is hoped that this research can contribute to the development of better policies in empowering SMEs in Indonesia.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the professional development (PD) of teachers in private schools in Turkey, exploring how it functions as a form of adult education. Employing a qualitative research approach with thematic analysis, semi-structured interviews were conducted with teachers, school leaders, and PD providers to understand motivations, participation patterns, and budget allocations related to PD with an aim of understanding how these reflect broader trends. The findings reveal that PD is heavily influenced by external motivations such as school leaders, job security, and networking opportunities, often driven by market strategies rather than educational needs. While intrinsic motivations related to personal growth and societal contributions exist, they are significantly overshadowed by external factors. The study also examines the types of PD activities, emphasising a shift towards trend-driven content that aligns more with marketing strategies than with educational enrichment. This trend underscores the commodification of PD, aligning it with institutional branding and market competition, thus challenging the foundational goals of adult education and teacher empowerment.

This study aims to explore implementing BUMDes policies in the Garut Regency, which has not yet been fully effective due to various influencing factors. The research adopts a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. Data was collected through interviews with the DPMD and BUMDes managers in the Garut Regency and analysis of relevant documents. Implementing BUMDes policies in Garut Regency demonstrates varying outcomes, influenced by key factors such as stakeholder communication, resource availability, implementer disposition, and bureaucratic structure. Referring to Edward III's theory, the success of BUMDes policy implementation is shaped by four main variables: (1) Communication, which ensures that policies are well understood and accepted by the village community and BUMDes managers; (2) Resources, including funding, human resources, and infrastructure essential for the sustainability of BUMDes; (3) Disposition (Implementer Attitude), reflecting the commitment of local government, BUMDes managers, and the community in executing policies; and (4) Bureaucratic Structure, involving coordination between agencies and administrative procedures that affect the smooth execution of policies. The research findings reveal that despite challenges such as limited human resources and restricted access to capital, well-managed BUMDes have the potential to strengthen the local economy and reduce dependence on central government assistance. Enhancing communication, building human resource capacity, and streamlining bureaucracy are crucial in accelerating village economic empowerment goals through BUMDes.

The prevalence of preeclampsia in Indonesia ranges from approximately 3.8% to 8.5%, it causes 24% of people's deaths. So far Pregnant women with preeclampsia have been treated pharmacologically which has adverse effects. The foot by warm water effect mentions a decrease in blood pressure in third-trimester pregnant women who have hypertension in the Kahuripan public health Area. The Related research also shows that providing non-pharmacological therapy in the form of soaking the feet by warm water and massaging the feet over 2 weeks period, it can reduce blood pressure in pregnant women who suffer preeclampsia. The goal of community empowerment is to improve people's knowledge about preeclampsia and to know how to soak non-pharmacologically by warm water and foot massage using health education methods. This therapy has been proven to reduce blood pressure on preeclampsia. The knowledge and skill improvement of people in Kuta Makmur in public health Tirtajaya area. The result of health education is concluded that significant, it is around 83,3% and 93,3% this skills can be done by themselves.

In India, women's health, nutritional security, and reproductive well-being have emerged as critical areas of concern and attention. Recognizing their significance, a range of stakeholders—including the government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society, and international bodies such as the United Nations—have implemented various initiatives, policy programs, and legislative measures to address these challenges. This paper examines these issues through the lens of the Poshan Vatika – Harit Se Poshan project, which explores the intersections of health, nutrition, and empowerment from gender and community perspectives. As part of this initiative, an NGO conducted an experimental study involving the establishment of kitchen gardens in rural areas, with the objective of evaluating their impact on women's lives. Drawing on the findings of this study, the paper advocates for a collaborative community health perspective to effectively address women's health and nutritional needs while fostering empowerment at the grassroots level. By fostering the cultivation of diverse crops, the kitchen garden approach has not only improved nutritional intake but also supported family-wide benefits. Furthermore, the initiative contributed to sustainability by promoting environmental health through the establishment of approximately 5,000 kitchen gardens, enhancing biomass production, and encouraging the use of organic fertilizers. This holistic approach highlights the potential of community-based interventions in advancing both health and environmental outcomes, while reinforcing the broader goals of gender equality and social empowerment.

The 2022 Russian invasion displaced millions of Ukrainians, many of whom sought refuge in Italy. War refugees face heightened mental-health risks but can also activate resilience and empowerment. This study employed the Transtheoretical Model of Empowerment and Resilience (Brodsky & Cattaneo, 2013) to explore resilience and empowerment processes implemented by Ukrainian refugee women in Italy to cope with war-related challenges and living in a new country. Twenty Ukrainian refugee women completed questionnaires and participated in semi-structured interviews. Results indicated perceived psychological distress following traumatic war experiences. Utilizing individual and shared resources, respondents enacted resilience processes stemming from the context of risk in their home country and the receiving country but not empowerment actions. However, some mentioned empowerment goals, such as changes in the formal support system for refugees and creating a network of Ukrainian refugees for mutual support. Results highlighted how some participants held individual characteristics of relative privilege, which could be crucial for transitioning from resilience to empowerment. The study suggests that facilitating this transition may require tailored interventions for the specific needs of Ukrainian refugee women and community-based interventions for promoting access to shared opportunities with the local community and other migrants.