The Institute for Education Development, Social, Religious, and Cultural Studies (Infest) Yogyakarta, in collaboration with AWO International, recently conducted monitoring on the implementation process of Appreciative Village Planning (PAD) in Ponorogo Regency. The monitoring took place on Wednesday (18/9) in Bringinan Village, Thursday (19/9) in Nongkodono Village, and Friday (20/9) in Pondok Village. These three assisted villages are still in the process of learning together with Infest as part of the program activities to strengthen the protection of migrant workers in their areas of origin and destination.
The program, which is currently ongoing in the three villages, aims to encourage former migrant workers to form a community called the Indonesian Migrant Workers Community (KOPI). In 2018, KOPI participated in various training sessions to enhance their capacity, including training on migrant workers’ rights, case advocacy, paralegal work, journalism, case analysis, and organizing. In 2019, KOPI, together with other community members, was encouraged to contribute to the development of their villages through Appreciative Village Planning (PAD).

Participatory Data-Based Planning

Appreciative Village Planning (PAD) is a data-based development planning approach that involves the participation of residents. KOPI and other community members in the three assisted villages have come together under one umbrella called the Village Transformation Team (TPD). This team underwent PAD training in April 2019 and conducted data mapping in their respective villages. The mapping included identifying village authorities, village assets and potentials, surveys on improving public services, village well-being, and ideas from marginalized groups. The data from the mapping process was then analyzed to formulate recommendations to be conveyed to the village government.
To assess the progress of the data mapping conducted by the TPD in each village, Infest conducted monitoring visits. In Bringinan Village, almost all teams were prepared with data and reports, except for the public service improvement survey team and the village asset and potential mapping team, which needed to finalize their narratives. To expedite the process, the narrative writing for village assets and potentials was done collectively. Each person was assigned to compile narratives for one or two types of assets, which were then shared within the WhatsApp group. One person compiled the narratives into a single document on village assets and potentials.
Discussions with residents regarding the development of participatory data for the preparation of the Village Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJDM) in Bringinan Village.
The Village Head of Bringinan, Barno (40), expressed his gratitude to Infest for providing such detailed assistance. He particularly appreciated Infest’s support in drafting village regulations (Perdes), including a significant Perdes on village authorities. He urged the TPD in Bringinan to actively participate in the activities organized by Infest, as the knowledge gained would greatly benefit the progress of their village.
Monitoring of the PAD in Bringinan Village revealed that all data and reports were completed and collected within a week.

Community deliberation in Pondok Village

The monitoring of PAD in Nongkodono Village took place on Thursday (19/9) at the village hall, attended by the Village Head, Jemadi, and the TPD. Overall, the data mapping by each team was completed, and they were continuously focusing on data analysis.
Similar to Bringinan Village, the narratives on assets and potentials were collectively developed through task distribution. Each person wrote narratives for one or two types of assets, which were then shared within the WhatsApp Group. One person was assigned to compile the narratives. This collaborative approach is expected to facilitate the asset team in crafting narratives.
In Pondok Village, the monitoring was conducted on Friday (20/9) at the village hall. The TPD in Pondok needed to put in more effort as they had not completed the mapping of village well-being data. Therefore, good cooperation is necessary to promptly collect and analyze the well-being data.
Each team was ready to complete their tasks within a week, and a training session on the preparation of the Village Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJM Desa) was scheduled for the following week.

**
This learning note is based on information provided by Infest’s Field Officer in Ponorogo Regency, Anny Hidayati.