Mechanisms of Intergovernmental Collaboration in Reducing Extreme Poverty : A Comparative Governance Study in Indonesia

Abstract

According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS) (2021), extreme poverty affects approximately 4% of the population, or 10.86 million people. In response, the central government has instructed local governments to eradicate extreme poverty by 2024 through integrated, cross-sectoral policy interventions. This study examines how collaborative governance among government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community actors contributes to the alleviation of extreme poverty in three districts: Bandung, Brebes, and Bojonegoro. Using a descriptive qualitative approach drawing on in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), documentary analysis, and field observations the study identified three key strategies as critical to successful implementation: (1) social assistance as a social protection and security mechanism, (2) community empowerment aimed at strengthening income-generating capacity, and (3) basic infrastructure development to address structural constraints faced by the extreme poor. The research findings indicate that collaborative governance can enhance policy effectiveness by strengthening various institutional capacities and the resources available to communities. This study contributes to the literature on poverty alleviation: inter-institutional collaboration and the development of integrated policies are key factors in achieving sustainable poverty alleviation that is rooted in the local context.