Inspiration
Indonesia has over 17,000 islands and more than 700 languages, yet many local traditions, dialects, and stories are fading as younger generations become disconnected from their roots. We saw this as more than just a cultural loss. It challenges the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, our national motto that means "Unity in Diversity." With growing division and discrimination among ethnic groups, especially among youth, we felt a responsibility to build something meaningful. Our goal became creating a digital space where Indonesians can reconnect with their cultural identities and empower local communities to preserve and share their heritage in a way that resonates with the modern world.
What it does
NusaHUB serves as a dynamic cultural platform that empowers students and young Indonesians to share their traditions, stories, and values with others across the country. Its centerpiece is the Cultural Feed, where users can upload photos, videos, or written posts about their local customs, ranging from traditional dance performances and ceremonial attire to personal reflections on everyday cultural practices. With features such as likes, comments, and shares, the platform transforms cultural exchange into an interactive and engaging experience that encourages creative expression and pride in one’s heritage. In collaboration with Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan (Kemendikbud), NusaHUB is being integrated directly into the national education curriculum as a mandatory platform for cultural learning, particularly in subjects like PPKN and history. Students will use NusaHUB to complete assignments such as posting traditional performances, writing reflections on cultural values, or documenting their suku’s unique practices. Teachers can evaluate these assignments based on creativity, authenticity, and interaction metrics. Additionally, Kemendikbud supports the development and funding of Toko Nusa, a rewards system where students can exchange participation points for educational tools and cultural experiences. This partnership ensures that NusaHub is not just a digital platform but a national movement for cultural preservation and education.
How we built it
We developed the application primarily using Wix, starting from a blank canvas and gradually building it into a fully functional social media platform. Along the way, we integrated key features such as an online store and a registration center to enhance user engagement and accessibility.
One of the main challenges we faced was navigating Wix's creator interface to locate and implement the desired features. Since we began with a minimal layout, we had to manually explore and identify each component within Wix’s extensive feature set. With numerous elements to add, finding and managing them effectively became one of the most time-consuming aspects of the development process.
Challenges we ran into
During the development of our concept, we encountered two major challenges. First, we struggled to identify a strong motivation for users to choose our app, especially since many of its features are already available in other popular platforms. To address this, we decided to collaborate with the Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, aiming to integrate NusaHUB into Indonesia’s national curriculum. By making the platform a core part of school activities, we ensure consistent usage and long-term impact. The second challenge was securing funding for our Toko Nusa feature, which involves substantial costs due to its reward-based system. To overcome this, we expanded our partnership with the Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, seeking their support not only for curricular integration but also for financial backing. This dual collaboration helps make both the educational and incentive-based components of NusaHUB sustainable and scalable.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud that we’re able to not only connect cultures in Indonesia but also help provide a more progressive learning system, give more opportunities to students who are in need, as well as help foster a diverse community.
What we learned
Throughout the process, we learned the importance of both technical adaptability and effective teamwork. Working with a bare-bones layout in Wix required us to manually navigate its interface to find and implement the features we needed. With a wide range of components to add, staying organized and keeping track of where each feature was located became essential. This challenged us to communicate clearly, divide tasks efficiently, and support one another when facing roadblocks. Overall, the experience strengthened our skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and navigating complex builder tools.
What's next for NusaHUB
In the future, we will implement a translator feature for the different languages spoken throughout different regions in Indonesia. We would flesh out our “Sahabat Nusa” function, such as adding an algorithm that will shortlist possible connections and friends and recommend them to the user according to their preferences, interests, and background. We will also add a feature called “Ruang Cerita” where users can post short stories or comics related to their backgrounds. Lastly, we will polish our “Nusa Point” and “Toko Nusa” systems. These added features will further help users of the website to fully explore Indonesia’s diverse culture.
Built With
- canva
- wix
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