Sep 11, 2025 – Zurich Indonesia, the Z Zurich Foundation, and Prestasi Junior Indonesia (PJI) have officially launched the second phase of the Zurich Entrepreneurship Program (ZEP) through the Youth Entrepreneurship Talks event held in Jakarta. This entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work-readiness education program will run until 2028, with a larger scale, more inclusive approach, and sustainable design.
Through this new phase, ZEP will reach over 16,900 students from 105 senior high schools and vocational schools across seven cities and districts: Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Sidoarjo, Semarang, Yogyakarta, and Denpasar.
Comprehensive Entrepreneurship Learning
The second phase of ZEP is designed to provide students with hands-on entrepreneurship learning experiences. Participants will build an entrepreneurial mindset, explore business opportunities, and develop well-prepared business plans. These plans will be brought to life through the establishment and management of micro-enterprises at school, giving students real-world exposure to running a business.
In addition, students will receive:
– Financial management training, including investment and risk management
– Work-readiness training to sharpen leadership, collaboration, and team management skills
“Zurich Indonesia believes that entrepreneurship skills and financial literacy are vital assets for young people to achieve a better future. Through the second phase of ZEP, we aim not only to build students’ business capabilities but also to strengthen their confidence and independence,”
— Edhi Tjahja Negara, Country Manager, Zurich Indonesia
Teachers as Key Drivers
To strengthen long-term impact, ZEP places teachers at the heart of the program. They will receive training and support to integrate entrepreneurship modules into their classrooms. This approach empowers educators with new teaching capacities while ensuring sustainability through long-term adoption at schools.
“Every day, we are reminded of the great potential young people have to dream and make those dreams come true. What they need is relevant training and equal access to opportunities. By working across sectors, we create lasting change and build ecosystems that help them reach their potential. ZEP is about opening more doors for students to learn, try, and dare to create opportunities,”
— Adriana Poglia, Head of Enabling Social Equity, Z Zurich Foundation
Volunteer Mentorship from Zurich
Another key strength of ZEP is the involvement of Zurich Indonesia volunteers, who serve as mentors sharing professional insights and real-world perspectives. Their participation connects students with the realities of today’s job market, making the learning experience more inclusive, inspiring, and sustainable.
“The second phase of ZEP highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration in strengthening the entrepreneurship education ecosystem. By engaging teachers as key drivers, the program reaches more students while also equipping educators with new capacities,”
— Robert Gardiner, Academic Advisor & Operations Counsel, PJI
Tangible Impact Since 2021
Since its first launch in 2021, ZEP has impacted 9,700 students from 50 senior and vocational high schools across 14 cities and districts in Indonesia. This new phase further solidifies Zurich Indonesia and the Z Zurich Foundation’s commitment to:
– Preparing young people as drivers of economic growth
– Supporting improved financial literacy and inclusion in Indonesia
With its expanded reach, the Zurich Entrepreneurship Program continues to evolve as a platform that nurtures resilient young entrepreneurs while reinforcing education’s role in shaping the nation’s future.
