Overview

At a time when job security vanished overnight, Lepasan showed that learning and earning could go hand in hand. Built in the middle of a global crisis, it became more than just a freelance platform. It became a lifeline, one where people could start again, on their own terms.

The Challenge

When the pandemic hit, over 3 million workers in Indonesia were laid off or placed on unpaid leave. Many turned to freelance work, not out of choice, but necessity. But the gig economy can be isolating, messy, and unforgiving especially without the right tools or support.

Our Approach

We created a space where people could learn, grow, and work without needing to be experts first. With support from Indika Foundation, we built Lepasan from scratch: a digital platform connecting gig talents with real projects, while guiding them with soft skill training, mentorship, and structured learning along the way. It wasn’t just about work, it was about rebuilding confidence and community.

What We Delivered

• A task-based freelance platform, complete with company dashboard and matching system
• 9-part online learning journey, focused on both soft and practical digital skills
• A community onboarding process to help first-time freelancers navigate the world of remote work
• Media and outreach campaigns to reach thousands and reduce the stigma around gig work

We started with field research and interviews to understand the struggles of newly unemployed talents, especially first-time freelancers. The platform was designed to be friendly, confidence-building, and easy to navigate even for those new to the digital working world.

Project Output

Through a three-month accelerated learning program, Lepasan by Lingkaran supported unemployed youth affected by the pandemic by equipping them with practical digital skills, adaptive mindsets, and real-world experience through a project-based curriculum. The program successfully empowered participants to regain their confidence, build a professional portfolio, and reconnect with the job market. As a result, 58% of participants secured freelance or paid project opportunities within three months after graduating, while 90% reported feeling more confident and prepared to re-enter the workforce. These outcomes demonstrate the program’s success in driving both economic empowerment and personal transformation for a generation seeking new pathways to work.

Impact Highlights

• 1,575 users joined as gig talents
• 524 learners completed learning journeys from 1,795+ registrants
• 27 freelance projects posted, with 6 successfully delivered
• Outreach reached 490,000+ audiences through 12 media partners
• Lepasan.co website designed, tested, and launched in just 6 months