Empowering Rural Micro-Entrepreneurs Through Financial Literacy and Digital Skills: A Community Service Intervention in Southeast Asia

This study documents a community service initiative targeting rural micro-entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia, aiming to enhance economic development through financial literacy and digital skills training. A total of 500 micro-entrepreneurs were recruited, with 250 assigned to treatment and 250 to control. Data collection included baseline and endline surveys, complemented by qualitative interviews. Econometric analyses include difference-in-differences (DiD), fixed-effects panel regressions, and instrumental variables (IV/GMM) to account for selection bias and compliance issues. Results indicate 28% increase in revenue, 22% in profit, 35% increase in formal savings, and 40% increase in digital sales among participants. The program shows heterogeneous effects favoring women, younger entrepreneurs, and those with secondary education. Policy implications suggest scaling through local cooperatives, digital marketplace integration, and collaboration with financial institutions. This study provides a rigorous framework for community service interventions in economic development, combining quantitative and qualitative methods.