JAKARTA – Tapenpah Village in Timor Tengah Utara Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, and Modomang Village in Bolaang Mongondow Regency, North Sulawesi, garnered national attention as they secured spots among the top 10 nominees for the 2024 UNESA Village Award. The event, organized by the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) of Surabaya State University (UNESA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration, highlighted their inclusive approaches to development. Modomang Village went a step further by clinching third place nationally, outperforming over 200 other participants during the award ceremony held on Friday, November 29, at UNESA’s rectorate building.
The award represents more than just a trophy or recognition. It is a tribute to the struggle, hard work, and spirit of inclusivity deeply embedded in the heartbeat of these two villages. Behind the accolades lie inspiring stories proving that inclusive village development is not a mere dream but a reality achievable through collaboration and courage.
Tapenpah: A Village Empowering All Groups
Amid the lush landscapes of East Nusa Tenggara, Tapenpah Village stands as a model of inclusivity. With support from the Tanpa Batas Foundation (YTB) through the P3PD Sub-Component 2B Program on Inclusion and Social Accountability, the village has embarked on an inspiring transformation journey.
Thomas Sikone, the 41-year-old village head of Tapenpah, has a unique vision: to make his village a home for all residents, including vulnerable groups, enabling them to interact and thrive. A standout initiative is the “Convidence” community, dedicated to empowering people with disabilities. Through this platform, individuals with disabilities receive skills training that opens economic opportunities for them.
The village’s youth also play a central role in its development. They run English courses for children, a form of nonformal education supported entirely by the community. They also manage the village’s social media, proving themselves as key drivers of village governance.
“Our village budget has been allocated for the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups since 2023. We aim to ensure no one is left behind in development,” said Thomas Sikone.
One of Tapenpah’s flagship programs is pig farming training for the elderly, female heads of households, and school dropouts. A total of IDR 170 million has been allocated for this program, including training on pig feed production and preserving oral traditions through field schools. These efforts have made Tapenpah not only socially inclusive but also economically independent.
Modomang: Innovation Amid Food Security
Meanwhile, Modomang Village presents an equally inspiring story. Located in Bolaang Mongondow, this village, led by the passionate headman Refky Karawuan, focuses on empowering vulnerable and marginalized groups.
With assistance from the Paidea Institute through the P3PD program, Modomang has achieved remarkable milestones, especially in food security. One of its flagship programs is peanut seed propagation, initiated through field schools.
“This program not only creates economic opportunities for vulnerable groups but also serves as a learning resource for agricultural extension officers in North Sulawesi,” said Siti Hadija Junaidi, P3PD program coordinator for Bolaang Mongondow Regency.
The pilot program’s success caught the attention of the Agriculture Office, which plans to provide funding in 2025 for further development. Additionally, the program has had a direct impact on vulnerable groups, providing them with a steady income through seed propagation.
Beyond economic programs, Modomang is also recognized for its regulations promoting social inclusion. Since 2020, the village has implemented rules prioritizing healthcare services for the elderly and, in 2022, issued a village regulation on parenting practices in the digital era. These regulations are key pillars for creating an inclusive environment.
The Power of Participation and Collaboration
A key success factor for both villages is citizen participation. In Modomang, all inclusive village cadres come from vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, people with disabilities, and informal workers. They are involved not only in village development planning but also in public activities, such as parenting competitions at the district and provincial levels.
“This is about giving them a voice and space to contribute,” said Refky Karawuan, 59.
A similar spirit is palpable in Tapenpah. The elderly and youth collaborate in training programs for livestock feed production and cultural preservation. This active participation fosters a strong sense of ownership, ensuring full community support for each program.
“Inclusive village initiatives had already begun before, but our assistance has strengthened both program innovation and services in the village,” said Marselino Manek, P3PD program coordinator for Timor Tengah Utara Regency.
The awards received by Tapenpah and Modomang mark not the end but the beginning of a new chapter. These villages have shown that inclusive development can be achieved through collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to empowering all groups.
“We hope other villages can draw inspiration from Tapenpah and Modomang. Inclusivity is the key to building empowered and independent villages,” said Yasir Sani, P3PD KEMITRAAN Team Leader for Eastern Indonesia.
This empowerment demonstrates that when citizens, regardless of their background, are given opportunities, they can drive meaningful change in their villages. Thanks to the leadership of Tapenpah and Modomang’s village heads, courage, and hard work, every village can shine on the national stage. These two villages exemplify how inclusivity can foster recognition of the hard work of vulnerable and marginalized groups and reinforce the notion that a village is a collective endeavor, built together. Inclusive villages are the foundation for a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Indonesia, in line with the nation’s aspirations.
Writer: Muchamad Nadzirummubin
