POOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT: A STUDY ON SOCIAL CAPITAL IN MAJALENGKA DISTRICT

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study on poor community empowerment focuses on poverty which is becoming the target group of developers in the Majalengka district. The main problem in poverty reduction is the large number of people living in poverty. Methodology: This study uses social capital approaches and theories. Also, a qualitative descriptive method is used. Main Findings: The results show that the program can be carried out with significant changes in community empowerment and proves useful based on the social capital approach. Moreover, the social capital study can enrich social capital applications by strengthening solidarity, relationship and networks. Although the network is still very premature, efforts to develop it are still being made by community groups. The community empowerment program developed by the government is for assistance in the agricultural sector. Applications of this study: Social capital convergence in community empowerment can be a force to improve welfare and overcome poverty. This study on social capital proves can make an academic contribution to the empowerment of the poor. Novelty/Originality of this study: To eradicate poverty, the Indonesian government has carried out a variety of methods including The Hope Family Program, hereinafter referred to as PKH and The Urban Poverty Reduction Program as P2KP along with other Central and Regional government programs. However, unfortunately, these programs have not been able to reach all regions, so there are still many areas needing such solutive treatments from the local government. Therefore, the empowerment of poverty requires institutional efforts and togetherness between parties with the poor (integrated approach) as an effort to empower the poor. This paper critically analyses the poverty reduction programs and highlights the problems associated with them.