Strengthening Creative Industry Capacity and Financial Management of Local Wisdom-Based MSMEs through Focus Group Discussions in Central Aceh

Abstract

This Community Service Program aimed to strengthen the capacity of local wisdom-based Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Aceh through the integration of creative-industry development, financial management, product identity, digital marketing, institutional collaboration, and tourism linkages. The program sought to identify MSME needs in production, branding, marketing, finance, licensing, and financing; improve participants’ initial understanding of transaction recording, separation of personal and business finances, production-cost calculation, selling-price determination, and simple financial statements; encourage the utilization of local wisdom as a basis for product identity and digital marketing; strengthen collaboration among universities, local government, business organizations, and MSME actors; and formulate a measurable follow-up mentoring agenda. The activity was implemented on 18 July 2026 at Bie Homestay, Kebayakan District, Central Aceh Regency, using preliminary coordination and needs mapping, thematic presentations, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), identification and classification of business problems, experience sharing, formulation of follow-up priorities, and documentation. The results showed interconnected challenges related to financial recording, separation of personal and business finances, production-cost calculation, pricing, packaging, branding, digital marketing, legality, financing, product quality, market access, and tourism integration. The activity produced a structured needs map, initial understanding of financial separation and transaction recording, product value addition, local identity and marketing communication, strengthened institutional networking, and a phased follow-up framework. Because the documentation did not contain quantitative pre-test–post-test data or numerical business-performance indicators, the outcomes are interpreted as descriptive evidence of initial capacity building, participatory needs identification, and collaborative planning.