Peacebuilding Program

Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Palu City Strengthen Partnership for Inclusive Economic Development

October 5, 2026

6 Min. Read

Dr. Nobuko Kayashima, Executive Director of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Mayor Hadianto Rasyid signed Memorandum of Understanding following the signing ceremony in Palu, Indonesia, on September 27, 2026. The ceremony was witnessed by Bagus Rachman, Deputy for Medium Enterprises at Indonesia's Ministry of MSMEs

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) and the Palu City Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on September 27, 2026 to strengthen their collaboration in advancing inclusive economic development and community resilience in Palu, Central Sulawesi. The agreement was signed by Dr. Nobuko Kayashima, Executive Director of SPF, and Mayor Hadianto Rasyid, further reinforcing a partnership built on a shared commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development.

The signing took place during Social Enterprise and Economic Development (SEED) Summit 2026, a forum that brought together government representatives, young entrepreneurs, community organizations, development partners, and civil society actors to explore the role of social entrepreneurship and inclusive economic development in strengthening community resilience.

The signing followed a panel discussion on Inclusive Economy and Community Resilience, featuring Dr. Nobuko Kayashima, Mayor Hadianto Rasyid, and Bagus Rachman, Deputy for Medium Enterprises at Indonesia's Ministry of MSMEs. The discussion explored lessons from Palu's recovery journey, the importance of inclusive economic participation, and the role of partnerships in strengthening long-term community resilience.

The MoU establishes a framework for cooperation in promoting inclusive economic development, strengthening understanding of inclusive economy approaches, supporting human resource development, and enhancing community resilience through sustained collaboration. It also reflects a shared vision of ensuring that economic opportunities are accessible to all members of society, including youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

During her remarks at the signing ceremony, Dr. Nobuko Kayashima, Executive Director of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, highlighted the importance of locally led development and the value of sharing lessons learned from Palu with the wider region.

“The memorandum of understanding that the City of Palu and SPF will sign today marks a new chapter in a partnership built through years of collaboration. SPF looks forward to continuing this journey and sharing Palu's lessons across Indonesia and ASEAN, not as a model to copy, but as experience others can adapt.”

Reflecting on the significance of the partnership, Dr. Dissa Ahdanisa, Program Officer at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, emphasized that the MoU provides an important foundation for deepening collaboration with the City of Palu and its local partners in the years ahead.

“This partnership allows us not only to strengthen ongoing initiatives in youth entrepreneurship, disability inclusion, and inclusive economic development, but also to systematically document and share the lessons emerging from Palu. As we move forward, we hope to publish and disseminate these experiences more broadly so that Palu’s journey can contribute to regional discussions on post-disaster recovery and serve as a practical model for building inclusive economies across Southeast Asia.”

Since 2023, SPF has worked closely with local partners in Palu to support initiatives that contribute to a more inclusive and resilient local economy. Through programs such as SEED for Palu, which supports the next generation of social entrepreneurs, and EMPOWER-IN, which promotes economic empowerment among women and persons with disabilities, the partnership has helped expand opportunities for communities that are often underrepresented in economic development processes.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Hadianto Rasyid emphasized that meaningful development cannot be achieved by government alone and requires collaboration among communities, businesses, academia, and development partners. Representatives from Indonesia's Ministry of MSMEs also highlighted Palu's post-disaster experience as an inspiring example of resilience and local innovation.

For SPF, the partnership reflects a broader commitment to demonstrating how inclusive economic development can contribute to stronger social cohesion, local ownership, and long-term resilience. In communities recovering from disaster, creating opportunities for meaningful participation and economic inclusion can help strengthen the foundations for sustainable and peaceful development.

As Palu continues its journey from post-disaster recovery toward sustainable development, SPF and its partners aim to further strengthen local ecosystems that empower communities to participate actively in shaping their future. Through this partnership, SPF hopes to support not only economic opportunities, but also the trust, collaboration, and local ownership needed for resilient and inclusive communities.

The experiences emerging from Palu also offer valuable insights for other communities across Southeast Asia seeking to promote inclusive development in post-disaster contexts. Through research, documentation, and knowledge sharing, SPF hopes to contribute these lessons to wider regional discussions on resilience, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

The renewed partnership marks an important step toward building a city where economic growth, social inclusion, and resilience go hand in hand, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Dissa Ahdanisa, Program Officer, Peacebuilding Program
Palu, Indonesia | September 27, 2026

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Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Palu City Strengthen Partnership for Inclusive Economic Development

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