One of supporting factors in promoting social welfare is participation of community in budgeting process. Budgeting process itself consists of planning, implementing, and monitoring program. Unfortunately, community participation is just a formality and only few of them, mostly village’s elites, can join. “Community in Tayan Hilir Village, District of Sanggau, do not have access to involve in community consultations on development planning (musrenbang)” said Hermawansyah, Director of Swandiri Institute.

Therefore, Swandiri Institute held a budget monitoring training for impacted community in Tayan Hilir Sub-district, on 1st-2nd September. Village of Subah along with Village of Sejotang and Pedalaman are among villages that’s affected by bauxite mining activity and palm plantation in the sub-district. They have been assisted by Swandiri Institute to fight for their rights in the midst of industrial interest.

Wiko Saputra, Researcher on Economic Policy PWYP Indonesia as well as the facilitator of the training, explains that Village Fund Budget (ADD) is a big opportunity to support village development, such as in basic needs fulfillment and also community empowerment. “Through program and budget planning and an optimal implementing process, the Village Fund Budget can increase people welfare” said Wiko.

Related to Village Fund Budget, the secretary of Subah Village, Toni, explains that Subah received around Rp 770 million for village fund.”I have to go to regency of Sanggau, back and forth, to finish the budget program in two months” said Toni. He hopes that the training will give a better understanding on how the process of budget program arrangement in village development.

The training was attended by respresentative from Subah, Pedalaman, and Sejotang Villages, and also Dayak Customary Council (DAD). Participants were enthusiast during the training, especially in conducting simulation of budget arranging and village development strategy. This Southeast Asia Technology and Transparency Initiative (SEATTI) is aimed to utilize technology in promote transparency, and supported by HiVos.

Not only focus on arranging and monitoring budget, the training also gave chance for village to identify another sources of village revenue. Other than transfer fund, village has two more sources, including establishing the Village Owned Enterprise (BUM Desa) as well as CSR fund.

“Village law has provided an alternative source of funding for village development, so the village will not depend on transfer fund, but they can independently utilize each economic potency. It will accelerate the village development” said Hermawansyah, at the closing of training.