Innovation

Sebumi’s most radical innovation lies in combining profit-driven business with social and environmental missions under one umbrella. Unlike typical NGOs and businesses, Sebumi operates as a single entity with both profit and non-profit wings of a social enterprise. This enables it to balance revenue generation with a focus on community empowerment, conservation, and education. 

The eco-tourism model emphasizes a zero-waste goal, carbon emission offsetting, and a deep connection to both nature and people. Sebumi has 4 main pillars that structure the business in innovation: learn, experience, adopt, and advocate.

In order to nurture a sustainable lifestyle, Sebumi developed programs that combines immersive experiences with hands-on learning, all centered around the 9 sustainability modules they created. These programs are designed not only for adults but for all age groups, including children. 

So far, Sebumi has worked with seven schools, providing impactful educational experiences. In one of their recent programs, 65 students participated in a three-day event that included a green tour around Jakarta, where they explored the city’s sustainable features such as public transportation systems and eco-friendly businesses, reflecting the experience pillar of Sebumi. The program was then followed by a workshop plus tour on sustainable housing, implementing the learn, experience, and adopt pillars all at once. 

In this series of event, the students learn how to design an eco-friendly, self-sustaining house that could manage water, food, waste, and energy, right on the spot in an actual sustainable house. Lastly, the students were engaged in a waste management workshop, learning on how waste is processed and actively participate in a recycling activity where they transformed recycled waste materials into cardholders.

Inspiration

Sebumi's integrated approach of combining business and social missions can inspire other enterprises to redefine success beyond financial gain. The eco-tourism model serves as a practical and impactful way to foster environmental stewardship while creating sustainable livelihoods. By focusing on community engagement and educational tourism, Sebumi highlights how businesses can not only profit but also contribute to the planet's well-being, a model that other entrepreneurs can adopt to leave a positive impact.

Furthermore, Sebumi’s success in partnering with schools and communities underscores the power of collaboration across different segments of the society. Instead of limiting the programs to specific groups, say eco-conscious community, Sebumi broadens its reach to engage to a wide range of people, each benefiting from the knowledge and experience shared. This inclusive approach ensures that the sustainability message touches diverse audiences, fostering a ripple effect that extends beyond any single community, inspiring others to adopt and spread these practices.

Overall impact

Sebumi's model of eco-tourism goes beyond traditional travel by incorporating education, zero-waste practices, and positive community impact. This approach does not merely minimize harm but aims for a regenerative effect—leaving destinations in better condition than before. Through their tours, travelers not only enjoy natural beauty but also become more environmentally conscious and adopt sustainable lifestyles. Additionally, Sebumi enriches each journey by delving into the local history and culture, bringing to life the community’s heritage and its cultural richness.

Sebumi’s involvement in community development, like its work in Kaki Gunung Rinjani, showcases how businesses can successfully merge economic, social, and environmental objectives. The company's sustainability education programs, which begin from early childhood and extend through schools, aim to foster a generation that is both environmentally aware and actively engaged in creating a better sustainable lifestyle. As founder Iben Yuzenho puts it, “It’s not only for the sake of the product within the organisation, but also how the organisation view itself in the ecosystem and how it can also shape that ecosystem”. This philosophy drives Sebumi to go beyond merely educating about environmental issues, but also offers practical solutions that individuals can incorporate into their daily lives to prevent or address environmental challenges, ensuring that their impact extends far beyond their immediate operations.

Business benefit

Sebumi's business is driven by eco-tourism, where the company offers travel experiences that align with its zero-waste and environmental conservation values. They partner with local communities, generating income by offering conservation activities and educational tours. As their model evolves, Sebumi has started catering to corporate clients for CSR and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) programs that is in accordance to their adopt pillar, expanding their revenue stream beyond individual travelers. The combination of tourism services and consultancy for green initiatives ensures profitability while staying true to their mission.

Similarly, as awareness of sustainability grows among schools in Indonesia, Sebumi has positioned itself as a vital resource. With sustainability-focused teachers being uncommon in the country, many schools seek external partners like Sebumi to provide these topics educational programs. By addressing this gap, Sebumi not only supports educational institutions but also reinforces its mission, ensuring that its sustainability message reaches a broader audience while maintaining profitability.

The other way for Sebumi to make profit is by launching Seakar, a platform that enables people to learn and adapt sustainable lifestyle through hands-on products—such as starter kits for self-making terrarium, eco-print, and edible garden—that could be purchased anytime at online marketplace. In delivering it, Seakar also provides paid educational activities in the form of workshops that is open for everyone.

Social and environmental benefit

Sebumi’s eco-tourism business brings direct financial benefits to local communities through partnerships in conservation and travel activities. Simultaneously, it educates both urban and rural populations about sustainable practices, bridging gaps between different communities. This creates a dual impact: generating income while promoting environmental sustainability. Sebumi’s long-term goal is to restore nature by empowering communities to protect and conserve biodiversity, thus showing how business can thrive by contributing to social and environmental progress.

The benefits on sustainability education are especially profound for children. By encouraging them to become responsible stewards of the environment, Sebumi helps lay the foundation for lifelong sustainable habits. This later would be the foundation on how they build habits in daily life and can even generate positive externality to their surroundings, families, and communities, fostering a broader culture of environmental consciousness and care.

Interview

Iben Yuzenho Ismarson, CEO/Founder