By
A. Ismail Noval, Sustainable Fisheries Officer
Managing our finances is something we all have to do. For Indonesian fishers and their families, it’s an essential part of daily life. Those working in fishing communities must manage household income while navigating fluctuations in supply and demand.
As an organisation committed to supporting the sustainable livelihoods of small-scale fishers, IPNLF Indonesia recognises that good financial management is a crucial foundation for building economic resilience. But teaching it requires two-way communication.
This is how I came to attend a four-day Financial Literacy training course organised by Yayasan Masyarakat dan Perikanan Indonesia (MDPI), a nonprofit that promotes responsible and sustainable fishing practices in Indonesia. The experience opened up many engaging conversations about financial literacy in coastal communities. But instead of using convoluted formulae, the trainers used games to get the message across.
Trainers introduced two educational games: Si Keong (Simulation of Fishermen’s Money Management) and Si Kompas (Simulation of Managing Fishermen’s Dreams and Hopes). Si Keong is a card-based game that simulates financial transactions in fishing households. It touches on gender roles, sustainable fishing practices, and daily financial decisions. Si Kompas builds on this, guiding participants to plan their short–mid– and long-term dreams and priorities.
Sharing stories from the field
The training brought together 14 participants from various organisations, including LINI, AP2HI, Aruna, LMMA, SAHARI, and MDPI. They represented coastal sites across several Indonesian provinces such as Maluku, North Maluku, Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and Kalimantan.
On the first day, we didn’t start with numbers, we started with stories. Instead of diving into figures and theory, we began by sharing field experiences. We explored real-life issues fishers face-from managing household income to navigating unpredictable fish markets. These sessions allowed for rich exchanges and helped us see just how fragile and uncertain life can be for small-scale fishing families. It underscored the importance of a relevant and empathetic approach to financial literacy. That’s why this training was so valuable and something we believe many more communities could benefit from.
Gameplay to explore making economic decisions
Through gameplay, participants took on the roles of fishing families and made everyday economic decisions. The games naturally sparked empathetic, engaging discussions far from the rigid atmosphere of a traditional classroom.
The third day of training took us to Seraya Timur Village, in Karangasem Regency, Bali—one of MDPI’s supported sites. There, we conducted a rapid assessment of the local fishers’ livelihoods, fishing gear types, and the structure of the supply chain and market for their catch. But the most memorable part was the hands-on facilitation session with fishers and their families.
We were divided into two groups: one played Si Keong, and the other played Si Kompas. The participants included not only the fishermen but also their wives. An interactive and joyful atmosphere began to emerge as each card was drawn and discussions flowed naturally. There was no pressure, no judgment – everyone was learning together.
Getting the whole community engaged on financial priorities
Participants opened up and began discussing household spending, priorities, and dreams that had long remained unspoken. One of the most impactful moments came from Pak Wayan, a local fisherman, who said after the session:
“Usually, my wife handles the money, and I rarely think about it. But today we had a discussion together, and now I understand better why we need to have a shared plan.”
His statement became a powerful reflection: this approach is not just about learning financial management, but also about building communication within the family. The game created space to map out a shared life plan – not just one person’s dream, but a collective vision for the fisher family’s future.
On the final day, we reflected and presented our learnings. We organised our findings into locally grounded strategies to strengthen household financial management. But more than just knowledge, the training offered something deeper: a space for reflection. I was reminded that financial literacy efforts must be adaptive and participatory, and that we can’t do this work alone.
Si Keong and Si Kompas are not just educational tools. They are bridges-connecting fishing families to their hopes for a more secure and well-planned future. As an organisation supporting community-based sustainable fisheries, we believe that marine resource management cannot be separated from managing household economies. That’s where tools like these play a key role.
We’re grateful to MDPI for this meaningful learning journey. We hope this is just the beginning of closer collaborations to make sure more coastal communities are able to enjoy a more secure future.