Determinants of Community Participation in Local Development Programs

Abstrak

Objective: This study aims to examine the extent of community participation in the implementation of local development programs in Sofifi Subdistrict, North Oba District, Indonesia.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative research design was employed. Data were collected through field observations and in-depth interviews with community members and local government representatives. The data were analyzed using an interactive qualitative approach involving data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing.

Findings: The results reveal that community participation in local development programs remains suboptimal. This condition is influenced by several factors, including delays in program socialization by local authorities, limited development budgets, and rushed implementation processes. Consequently, development programs have not fully aligned with community needs and have not achieved the expected targets.

Implications: The findings suggest the need for more inclusive and participatory development planning, improved communication between government and communities, and better alignment of development programs with local aspirations to enhance effectiveness and sustainability.

Novelty: This study contributes to the limited empirical literature on community participation in local development within small island administrative contexts, particularly in Sofifi Subdistrict, offering context-specific insights into the challenges of participatory governance in decentralized systems.