Ecoprint hijab-making training for community empowerment in Kampung Emas Sayegan

Introduction: Kampung Emas Sayegan possesses abundant natural resources but faces low economic welfare, particularly among women whose creativity in the fashion sector remains underutilized. In 2024, the village was designated as a community empowerment laboratory by Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. Objectives: This study aimed to empower women by providing training in hijab-making using natural ecoprint techniques to enhance creativity, technical skills, and economic opportunities. Method: The program applied a Participatory Action Research (PAR) design involving 25 PKK women from Sayegan. The stages included assessment, planning, execution, mentoring, reflection, and follow-up. Data were collected through pre- and post-tests, observation, and product evaluation. Key variables measured were knowledge, production skills, and product quality. Analyses used descriptive statistics and normalized gain scores. Result: Participants’ knowledge increased significantly, with a normalized gain score of 0,89 and a 43,06-point improvement from pre- to post-test. The hijabs achieved an average quality score of 4,30/5,00, excelling in motif clarity, colour composition, uniqueness, and proportionality. Scores for STEAM-based techniques, pre-treatment, and independent production averaged above 4,29. Participant satisfaction reached an average of 4,28 across all respondents. Conclusion: The ecoprint hijab-making training effectively enhanced participants’ skills, product quality, and entrepreneurial motivation. This initiative demonstrates that eco-fashion, integrated with STEAM-based methods, can serve as an innovative and sustainable approach to women’s economic empowerment.