Focus Group Discussion: Sustainability of the National Programme for Community Empowerment (PNPM)

20 June 2014

Approaches towards building community empowerment have been attempted through a variety of developments at the sector and regional levels. However, these have been partial and unsustainable, while the effectiveness of poverty reduction remains not optimal.

The enactment of Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages further emphasises the role and significance of the National Program for Community Empowerment (PNPM). This is because the PNPM programme has engaged for many years in the empowerment of rural communities through its Operational Technical Guidelines, which is in-line with the ideals of the law, namely to build strong, advanced, independent and democratic villages.

The National Team for the Acceleration of Poverty Reduction (TNP2K) implemented the “Focus Group Discussion: Unearthing Ideas for the Transitional Preparation, Implementation and Sustainability of PNPM”, which was held from 19 to 20 June 2014. The event, as held at JS Luwansa Hotel in Jakarta, was conducted to encourage government ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Public Works to jointly discuss PNPM PTO changes in order to further support the implementation of Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages.

In attendance was guest speaker, Bito Wikantosa, Kasubdit of Facilitation and Urban Rural Development, Directorate General of PMD at the Ministry of Home Affairs, who said that the Rural PNPM PTO should not run in parallel with Law No. 6 on Villages. If it is continued, then there will be overlap with the programme in the future. “Let it be seen that the sovereignty of a people and a state is found in the rule of law. As such, all must comply with the law. PNPM, as a product of the government, follows the law and can be adjusted so that it can be fully integrated. The positive impact achieved will be even greater,” Wikantosa said.

Aunur Rofiq, Chairman of the Cluster II Policy Working Group, adding that for the successful implementation of Law No. 6 of 2014, assistance and attention will be required from all related components. "Vice President Boediono has mandated that Law No. 6 of 2014 on Villages must achieve its goals. For that, PNPM and its related components that continue to support rural communities must assist each other and help implementation the Law on Villages,” Rofiq said.