By noon, the atmosphere at Bagon Village Hall, Puger District, Jember Regency, East Java, on Sunday, February 13, 2022, seemed to be getting busier. Songs blaring from a sound as high as almost two meters, passing people in the yard and in front of the village hall road, a row of tents and 18 MSME stands on the north and east sides of the yard displaying various culinary and handicraft products, fully occupied chairs in the courtyard. Pendapa, kindergarten and PAUD children performing various dances on the stage, people chatting and cheering the audience witnessing their cuteness and innocence, became the opening moment of the ALP Village Grand Launching activity entitled 'Festival Potential Desa' organized by Imaji Sociopreneur, PT Universal Tempu Rejo, Bagon Village Government, and the Indonesian Dream Foundation on that day.

Seven months before the Village Potential Festival was held, in the same place, a number of community groups, village government, and the Imaji Sociopreneur team gathered; exchange ideas and at the same time sign a cooperation contract to explore and develop village potential in the economic, education, and environmental sectors through the ALP Village program.

Who would have thought, the dream of realizing an independent village community seven months earlier, turned into a festive activity that attracted the enthusiasm of the people around Bagon Village.

In addition to dance competitions for kindergarten and PAUD children as well as MSME products belonging to the village community, there is also a 'recycled fashion' fashion show competition for elementary and middle school children. The three main activities, said Moch. Musta'Anul Khusni, director of Imaji Sociopreneur, represents the three sectors that are the focus of the ALP Village program.

“For the past seven months, we, together with tobacco farmers and the community, have worked together to overcome the existing challenges. In the environmental sector, we set up a waste bank to manage household waste, in the economic sector we provide assistance to the Bag On Craft knitting group, and in the education sector we provide interest and talent education with MI Darussalam 02 Bagon," he said.

Furthermore, the man who is familiarly called Anul added that exploring and developing the potential of the village must be done together. For this reason, according to him, the Village Potential Festival is also an opportunity to introduce oneself and invite more people to be involved in the ALP Village program.

“In line with its name, namely the Village Potential Festival, we want to show that Bagon Village has extraordinary characteristics and potential, ranging from human resources to its economy. At the same time, so that people are confident in the potential of their own region," he added.

He also hopes that the Village Potential Festival will also be a momentum for local MSME actors to rise up after being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It is very possible that if the potential of natural resources, human resources, and the economy is developed together, Bagon Village will be more independent in the future," he explained.

Meanwhile, Ilbanatuzzahro (24), an MSME actor who also opened the stand that day appreciated the Village Potential Festival. According to him, this activity can be a stimulus to raise local MSMEs during the pandemic.

"Pandemic is not only attacking health, but also the economy. Want to move becomes more difficult. So grateful for this activity," he said.

Appreciation also came from the Head of Bagon Village, Ahmad Kholili. In line with Anul, he also agrees that the cooperation of various parties is needed to develop the potential and wealth in his village. Mainly, to overcome the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Nowadays, collaboration is the key to survive and develop. I see that the enthusiasm and new ideas of young people at Imaji Sociopreneur are very good and deserve appreciation,” he said. He also hopes that this joint collaboration can provide greater benefits to the community in the village.

The event that day closed with a number of performances and appreciation in the Night Festival. Among them, appreciation for the best Imaji Academy interest and talent education students, the best Imaji Environment waste bank customers, and appreciation for the Bag On Craft business group. (*)