The present Bina Swadaya was actually named Yayasan Sosial Tani Membangun (YSTM) when it was founded in Jakarta on 24 May 1967 by Ikatan Petani Pancasila (IPP) or the Pancasila Farmers Union. Bina Swadaya is intended to function as a legal body in charge of managing projects commissioned by IPP. In 1969, when ‘Trubus’ farming magazine is launched, YSTM acts as its publisher. Later, in 1973 due to the Government pressure as part of its program to streamline the political and mass organizations, Ikatan Petani Pancasila along with 14 other farmer organizations is merged into Himpunan Kerukunan Tani Indonesia (HKTI) –Indonesian Farmers’ Association, and YSTM, in addition to publishing ‘Trubus’ and being IPP’s heir, also conducts training programs, advocacies and development of agricultural produce and its marketing. YSTM manages these various activities until 1985, when the Indonesian Information Minister issues a decree banning Press Publishers from managing other activities than the press publication. Subsequently, some members of the YSTM board of management set up Yayasan Bina Swadaya (Bina Swadaya Foundation) with the same management board as YSTM’s. It manages programs outside the publication of ‘Trubus’ magazine. Later, all these activities are consolidated and put under the control of Bina Swadaya, which would make each of its activities managed by a Limited Liability Company with Yayasan Bina Swadaya as the sole share owner.

The fact that Bina Swadaya has its root in IPP, and IPP is part of the Pancasila Social Movement comprising of Labor, Farmer, Fisherman, Businessperson and Paramedic Unions, Bina Swadaya’s history is unseparable from that of the Pancasila Social Movement. Bina Swadaya has grown up in parallel with the political developments that are categorised into 3 Eras. They are: 1. The Pancasila Social Movement Era (1954-1974); 2. The Socio-Economic Development Institution Era (1974-1999); and 3. The Social Entrepreneurship Institution Era (1999-now).

V I S I ON

To become a credible pioneering and excellent institution in increasing community empowerment through social entrepreneurship.

M I S S I O N

To increase community empowerment for the poor and the marginalized in the social economic aspect through facilitation for capacity building, institution development and access to resources.
To influence the development policy for the benefit to the poor and marginalized people.
To seek development innovation for the benefit of the poor and marginalized population.
To promote partnership with various institutions to increase the capacity of service to the community.
To maintain financial self reliance and institutional sustainability.