The Institutional and Human Resources (SDM) Research Group (RG) of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), in collaboration with Thematic Community Service Program (KKN) students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), conducted a community engagement initiative in Cepogo District, Boyolali Regency, in January 2024.

The community service team, led by Dr. Dwi Prasetyani, S.E., M.Si., included esteemed members such as Dr. Vinc Hadi Wiyono WS, M.A., Dr. Akhmad Daerobi, M.S., Dr. Guntur Riyanto, M.Si., Vita Kartika Sari, S.E., M.Sc., Aulia Hapsari Juwita, S.E., M.E., and Ratna Malisa Indriawati, S.E., M.E., focused on mentoring Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) in Cepogo District.

Through this initiative, the team aimed to address challenges faced by BUMDes in Cepogo and enhance their capacity and effectiveness via a series of well-designed work programs. One notable program involved supporting the BUMDes Forum in Cepogo District, with a particular emphasis on raising awareness about digital marketing. This initiative sought to make BUMDes operations more informative and widely recognized by the public. The program was based on findings from prior surveys assessing the condition of BUMDes in Cepogo.

Cepogo District comprises 15 villages, each with its own BUMDes. However, only a few, such as BUMDes Tumang, BUMDes Paras, BUMDes Gedangan, and BUMDes Bakulan, remain active.

One major challenge identified in less active BUMDes was the lack of clear organizational structures. Unstructured governance within several BUMDes has hindered the successful implementation of many planned work programs. Thus, the mentoring efforts focused on providing training in digital marketing to help BUMDes become more dynamic and better known within the broader community.

The community’s enthusiasm for this initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the future development of BUMDes. Participants recognized the importance of synergy between government and village development programs to achieve optimal outcomes.

The digital marketing training aimed to provide BUMDes members with a deeper understanding of digital marketing concepts, including their influence on public perception and interaction through digital platforms.

By leveraging digital marketing elements, each BUMDes can establish a strong identity and values that resonate with the community. Enhanced use of social media platforms can enable BUMDes to build and expand active online communities. This fosters spaces for discussions, feedback, and collaboration between BUMDes and local residents, paving the way for sustainable growth and engagement.