Grab, OVO roll out pilot nutrition programme for special needs schools

As part of a growing effort to embed inclusive values into social development, Grab Indonesia and OVO have joined hands with Yayasan Inklusi Pelita Bangsa (YIPB) to pilot a free nutritious meals initiative aimed at students and teachers in special needs schools.

The programme began its trial phase on 14 April at Sekolah Khusus Yayasan Karya Dharma Wanita (YKDW) 01–03 in Tangerang City, Banten, marking the start of an ambitious plan to reach 1,500 beneficiaries across 11 schools in the Tangerang region by April 2026.

"This is a significant moment for us," said Cahaya Manthovani, YIPB's executive chair. "This programme is not just about providing healthy food, but about showing genuine care and attention to our friends—children with special needs."

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The initiative aligns with the broader national conversation on nutrition equity and and echoes the Indonesian government's "8 Quick Deliverables" national priority agenda, which includes a target of delivering free nutritious meals to 80 million recipients by 2029 under the Prabowo administration.

Having previously run a similar programme at SLB Negeri 07 Jakarta with overwhelmingly positive feedback, YIPB sees this pilot as the next step in scaling its impact. "The energy and smiles of the children when receiving their healthy meals are a major source of motivation for us," Manthovani added.

While the current programme is concentrated in Tangerang Raya, the team behind it has long-term ambitions to reach special schools in other regions across Indonesia.

For partners like OVO and Grab, it's a commitment to inclusive, sustainable impact. "We believe that technology should serve all communities, including children with special needs. Through this collaboration, we hope to help expand lasting positive change," said Karaniya Dharmasaputra, president director of OVO.

Echoing the sentiment, Tirza Reinata, chief of public affairs at Grab Indonesia, said the initiative aims to cultivate an inclusive ecosystem that empowers communities.

The meals themselves are tailored to nutritional recommendations from the National Nutrition Agency, with modifications to suit the dietary needs of children with special needs. Importantly, all ingredients are sourced from local small businesses, extending the impact of the programme to the surrounding economy.

As more brands consider long-term social value as part of their identity, initiatives such as this represent a tangible step forward—combining business presence with purpose-driven collaboration.

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