Stories: Communities

In some villages, he’s known simply as Pak Irpan, not as a manager or expert. He is someone who listens, returns, and stays engaged. As Head of Community Economic Empowerment at GAR, Irpan Kadir leads with a focus on people, not numbers. Through his work, the Bright Future Initiative has supported communities to build sustainable livelihoods.

“The biggest reward is seeing people stand on their own,” Irpan says. “When they no longer need us, that’s when we’ve done our job right.”

From fish farming to mentoring young entrepreneurs, his approach blends strategy with empathy. His work is grounded in a belief that rural communities don’t need charity, they need partnership.

Q: What led you to a career in community empowerment?
Irpan: Before joining GAR, I spent over 15 years as a community development consultant. I joined GAR in 2017 to support supplier engagement. Then, in 2020, during the pandemic, I was asked to lead Community Economic Empowerment. It was challenging, especially with travel restrictions, but it forced us to focus on what really matters.

I’ve seen how limited opportunities affect rural communities in Indonesia. GAR gives me a platform to support them in ways that are practical, sustainable, and long term.

Q: Is there a moment that stands out to you?
Irpan: The most powerful moments are when participants become local champions. These are people who take what they’ve learned, keep projects going independently, and even train others. Stepping back is hard, but seeing them thrive on their own is exactly what we aim for.

Q: GAR often talks about “doing well and doing good”. What does that mean to you?
Irpan: It means making sure business success creates real value for communities. Companies have social and environmental footprints, and we’re responsible for managing them well. When the business performs strongly, we can invest more in education, environmental protection, and local economies. It becomes a positive cycle.

Q: How do you balance business goals with community needs?
Irpan: They don’t have to compete. When communities thrive, businesses benefit too. Our programmes help reduce dependency, build trust, and strengthen relationships. That supports long-term stability and our social licence to operate.

Q: Have you seen positive impacts for the younger generation?
Irpan: Yes. More youth are joining training and mentoring programmes and stepping into leadership roles. This aligns with our goal under our sustainability framework, Collective for Impact, to empower 20,000 rural youth by 2035. For those pursuing higher education, we help connect them to scholarships through partners like the Eka Tjipta Foundation and Tzu Chi. Supporting young people now means investing in future leaders.

Q: What’s your vision for the Bright Future Initiative?
Irpan: I want to see more local leaders emerge from the communities themselves, people with the confidence and skills to carry this work forward. The goal isn’t for us to stay at the centre, but to pass the torch and watch others take it further.

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