Celebrating 13 Years of Empowerment in MDPI’s 13th Anniversary
- August 4, 2026
by Muhammad Alzaki Tristi
MDPI celebrated its 13th anniversary on Friday, July 31. Highlighting the theme “Empowering Together”, we reflect to our core value of empowerment.
Staff across eight provinces joined the celebration. The event allowed the organization to reflect on its decade-long journey. MDPI praised individuals for helping build responsible fisheries and empowered coastal communities.
The MDPI Director said the 13th anniversary means more than just passing time. She stated hard work, collaboration, and mutual support build the organization’s success.
“For MDPI, the number 13 proves team effort determines destiny, not just luck,” MDPI Director Yasmine Simbolon said.
Simbolon noted the foundation faced many difficult periods. The group confronted the COVID-19 pandemic, strategy shifts, and team changes. However, their shared drive to move forward overcame all these challenges.
Overflowing gratitudes from the coast
Our coastal community partners also participated in this special occasion. MDPI, along with locals, hosted simple joint celebrations in our working areas. These include Fair Trade USA fishing groups, processing groups, and coastal cooperatives who gladly sent their greetings and prayers through text videos. These groups operate in Gorontalo, Ternate, Seram, Kore, and Morotai Districts.
These messages show MDPI did not grow alone over 13 years. Coastal communities played a crucial role in learning, collaboration, and empowerment.
“Happy 13th anniversary to MDPI,” one Fair Trade USA fishing group in Seram, Maluku, said. “Empowering together, Happy People, Many Fish!” they added.
Community support motivates MDPI to strengthen collaboration and drive innovation. The group aims to expand empowerment impacts for small-scale fishers across Indonesia.
A reflection in a fun World Cup packaging
MDPI creatively hosted online internal events using a FIFA World Cup 2026 theme. Staff from all regions joined the event series. They reflected on the 13-year journey and shared stories. Managers and employees also participated in appreciation activities.
A key agenda was the Berdaya Award. MDPI gave this award to staff showing consistency, dedication, and year-round contributions. Categories included Most Frequent Article Writer and Most Punctual Financial Reporter. The group also recognized the Most Punctual Activity Reporter.
Photo, storytelling, and empowerment competitions made the celebration livelier. These contests allowed all staff to express creativity. They also strengthened unity across different regions.
Bali staff decompressed with “Si Keong Nelayan” game
The MDPI headquarters in Denpasar, Bali, hosted a special game session. Staff played Si Keong Nelayan, a financial management game simulation for fishing communities. MDPI uses this financial literacy tool to empower coastal communities.
Bali staff experienced learning with the tool directly. The simulation helps fishing communities understand household and business finances. Many new employees encountered this learning method for the first time. This method forms a core part of MDPI’s field empowerment approach.
The activity strengthened unity among team members. It also deepened understanding of a key empowerment instrument. MDPI developed this tool to support coastal community economic resilience.
At 13 years old, MDPI reaffirmed its commitment to responsible fisheries. The foundation uses collaboration, innovation, and shared empowerment to achieve sustainability. The past journey reminds everyone that individual contributions drive organizational achievements. Everyone works with a shared goal to deliver real benefits. These benefits help small-scale fishers, coastal communities, and Indonesian fishery resources.