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ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Abstract

Digital transformation has become an important strategy for strengthening community empowerment by improving access to public information, governance transparency, and village services. However, many rural communities in Indonesia still face challenges in managing accurate village profile data and utilizing digital technologies to support good governance and sustainable development. This study examines a community engagement program in Purwokerto Village, Kediri Regency, Indonesia. The program intended to develop and implement E-ProDesKel (Elektronik Profil Desa Kelurahan or Electronic Village and Wards Profile), a web-based portal for an integrated village profile information system. The program adopted a participatory approach starting from an assessment conducted together with the community to identify their needs, profiling and structuring of residents’ data, website development, production of a village profile video, and capacity building through mentoring and workshops for village officials and community members. The program successfully established an integrated village information system comprising eight main service menus, developed a village profile video, and enhanced community access to digital village information and public services. Evaluation of the program was conducted by involving 75 respondents, indicating a high level of community acceptance of the program, the products, and the benefits, along with feedback for improvements. Through the participation process, this program created a successful integration of an accurate village profile management, digital public information services, community capacity building, and collaborative mentoring as a novel community empowerment framework and institutional strengthening. Such a framework can be adapted by other villages pursuing digital transformation toward good governance and village sustainability.

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