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Plastic waste management in rural areas, particularly in tourism villages, remains an environmental challenge that requires sustainable solutions. Negeri Tongging Village, as a tourism area around Lake Toba, has experienced an increase in household plastic waste that has not been managed optimally, potentially affecting environmental quality and community well-being. This community service activity aimed to enhance community awareness and capacity in plastic waste management through the implementation of a circular economy approach based on a waste exchange program and ecobrick production. A participatory approach was employed by actively involving the community in all stages of the activity, including socialization, program implementation, and evaluation. The program was carried out during the 2025 Community Service Program of Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara, consisting of circular economy socialization, collection of plastic waste through an exchange scheme with basic necessities, training on ecobrick production, and the provision of supporting facilities for environmental cleanliness. The results indicate an increase in community participation and environmental awareness, a reduction in improperly disposed plastic waste, and an improvement in community skills in processing plastic waste into useful products. In addition, the activity strengthened mutual cooperation and environmental responsibility among community members. In conclusion, the application of a circular economy approach through ecobrick-based activities can serve as an effective alternative solution for plastic waste management while simultaneously supporting sustainable community empowerment in rural tourism areas.

This community service program was conducted by Group 7 of KKN ITB Ahmad Dahlan Lamongan in Bapuhbandung Village, Glagah District, Lamongan Regency, aiming to address environmental and public health issues through the utilization of ecobricks and the cultivation of family medicinal plants (TOGA). The main problems identified were low awareness of plastic waste management and the underutilization of home yards for medicinal plants. The program applied a participatory assistance method involving students, parents, youth, and village officials throughout the stages of observation, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The results showed that more than 300 ecobricks were produced and assembled into an installation forming the word “BAPUHBANDUNG,” which now serves as a new village icon. In addition, medicinal plants such as ginger, turmeric, and lemongrass were planted around the installation area and residents’ yards. The evaluation indicated high community participation, good-quality ecobricks, and positive initial growth of TOGA. This program not only produced physical outputs but also increased community awareness of plastic waste management, family health independence, and the strengthening of village identity.

This study aims to introduce the convenience of digital transactions through socialization of the use of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) to residents of Marihat Bukit Village. This activity was motivated by the low public understanding of the use of non-cash transactions, particularly QRIS, which is an innovative integrated digital payment system from Bank Indonesia. Through socialization and direct practice, residents were introduced to how to use QRIS in various daily transactions, such as shopping, paying for services, and other local economic activities. The results of the activity showed an increase in public understanding and interest in the use of digital transactions that are easier, faster, and safer. It is hoped that this activity will encourage digital financial inclusion in rural areas and support government programs to expand literacy and the application of financial technology in the community. Furthermore, active community participation in this activity shows great potential to reduce dependence on cash transactions and encourage digital transformation at the village level. This activity is also expected to accelerate the transition to a more inclusive and digital-based society.

The community service program in Dusun Bendrong aimed to foster environmental awareness through the planting of timber and fruit seedlings as a response to declining forest quality and reduced water availability caused by vegetation loss. This program sought to enhance community participation in forest conservation while strengthening local wisdom related to environmental stewardship. The activity was conducted in three stages: pre-activity observation and coordination with the Village Head and community leaders, joint planting of 14 seedlings by Student Community Service (KKM) participants and local residents, and monitoring and evaluation to assess implementation and participant understanding. The results showed that all seedlings were successfully planted, with high levels of participation from both students and community members. The activity increased awareness of forest conservation and highlighted the importance of collective action in maintaining environmental sustainability. Timber trees contributed to forest restoration, improved water absorption, and reduced erosion risk, while fruit trees provided additional economic and social benefits for the community. Overall, this participatory approach proved effective as a sustainable model for community service programs that integrate environmental conservation and community empowerment.

Public legal awareness is an important element in realizing an orderly, just, and law-based social life, as it enables citizens to understand and properly carry out their rights and obligations. In Mekarjaya Village, Gantar District, Indramayu Regency, a low level of public understanding of the hierarchy of laws and regulations is still evident, which has the potential to cause errors in the application of law within families and communities. This condition indicates the need for systematic, contextual, and easily understood legal socialization. This Community Service Program aims to improve the understanding of members of the Paguyuban Istri Peduli regarding the hierarchy of laws and regulations, while strengthening their role as agents for disseminating legal information within the surrounding community. The method employed is descriptive qualitative with a participatory approach through the delivery of materials, interactive discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and joint reflection. Data were collected through direct observation, oral question-and-answer sessions, and participant feedback forms. The results show an increase in participants’ understanding, high levels of participation in discussions, and the ability to relate legal concepts to real conditions. These findings confirm that participatory-based legal socialization is effective in enhancing public legal awareness and encouraging active community involvement at the local level.

The Community Service Program (KKN) in Sidomukti Baru Village aims to enhance the community’s productive skills and financial awareness through training on dishwashing soap innovation and saving education. The main problems faced by the local community are the lack of skills in creating economically valuable products and low awareness of household financial management. This activity employed a descriptive qualitative method with a participatory approach, where the community was actively involved in all stages of implementation, from planning and execution to evaluation. The results show that the dishwashing soap training effectively improved participants’ skills and creativity in processing simple materials into marketable products with local economic potential. Meanwhile, the saving education activities successfully increased financial literacy and encouraged wise financial behavior within families. Through active community participation, this program not only provided new skills but also fostered economic independence and strengthened the spirit of cooperation as a foundation for sustainable empowerment at the village level.

This study examines the role of KKN students in supporting the economic development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through bazaar activities in Selayang Village. The bazaar programs facilitated by KKN students proved effective in improving product marketing, expanding business networks, increasing public awareness of local products, and ultimately raising the income of MSME actors. In addition to their economic impact, the bazaars functioned as promotional platforms and spaces for social interaction that strengthened relationships between community members and local entrepreneurs. Despite facing internal challenges such as limited funding, inadequate human resources, and a lack of product innovation, the initiative demonstrated positive outcomes. Collaboration among KKN students, local government, and the community is considered essential to ensure the sustainability of such empowerment programs. Overall, the findings indicate that bazaar activities represent an effective strategy for rural economic empowerment, contributing to the long-term competitiveness and growth of MSMEs while fostering community participation and local economic resilience.

This community service program aims to enhance public awareness and skills in managing household waste through an innovative recycling-based approach. The main problems identified in the target community include limited understanding of waste segregation, lack of knowledge regarding the economic potential of household waste, and insufficient skills to transform waste materials into useful products. To address these issues, the program was implemented through several stages, including an initial survey to identify community needs, environmental education and awareness sessions, hands-on training on producing recycled products, and continuous mentoring to ensure the sustainability of the activities.The results show a significant increase in participants’ knowledge of proper waste management and recycling concepts. Moreover, the community successfully produced various creative and functional recycled items such as plant pots, household crafts, and other aesthetically valuable products with economic potential. The program also facilitated the establishment of a resident group committed to continuing the initiative independently. Overall, this community service activity demonstrates that practical environmental education can effectively foster ecological awareness, strengthen community participation, and create opportunities for local economic empowerment through the utilization of household waste.

This study examines the implementation of Fardhu kifayah counseling in Telagah Village, Sei Bingai District, Langkat Regency, focusing on the social and cultural problems and challenges faced by the local community. Telagah Village is known for its rich history, strong traditions, and local wisdom that shape its social life. However, in the practice of handling the deceased, several issues remain, including limited community knowledge, lack of regeneration among younger members, inadequate facilities, and the absence of a designated team responsible for the Fardhu kifayah process. These limitations often lead to dependence on a few individuals who possess the necessary skills, creating sustainability concerns in the long run. Furthermore, cultural aspects such as conservative norms, gender role divisions, and deeply rooted customs influence how the community perceives and accepts Fardhu kifayah counseling. The study highlights that successful implementation requires not only technical guidance but also sensitivity to local values and traditions. Strengthening community participation and fostering collaboration between religious leaders and local authorities are essential to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of Fardhu kifayah education in Telagah Village.

Population growth and lifestyle changes in Indonesia have led to complex waste management issues, negatively impacting social, health, and environmental sustainability aspects. To address this, a sustainable management approach that actively involves community participation is necessary. The concept of a Waste Bank, based on the 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), emerges as a strategic, community-based solution. This community service program aims to encourage active community participation in the Waste Bank program in Tanjung Uban Selatan, Bintan Regency, while supporting the realization of a Smart City based on intelligent and participatory environments. The methodology used is a qualitative approach to gain in-depth understanding. Primary data collection was carried out through interviews, participatory observations, and documentation studies. Key informants were purposively selected from various stakeholders, including Waste Bank administrators, local government representatives, and community members. The results show that, although initially challenging to increase community participation, the program has had a significant positive impact. It successfully shifted the community's view of waste as a valuable economic resource. Quantitatively, this is reflected in stable income from the sale of high-quality inorganic waste, such as metals and electronic waste. The program also led to strategic innovations, including sustainable education, waste savings incentives, social media use, and the "Dasi Umat" empowerment program. The success of this program, strengthened by awards at the district and national levels, makes it a model for sustainable waste management focused on community empowerment and supporting smart city development.

Extreme poverty remains a major challenge in rural areas of Indonesia, including Nagori Bandar Manik, Pamatang Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency. The 2025 UINSU Community Service Program (KKN) was carried out to empower local communities through various activities covering economic, educational, religious, social-environmental, and health aspects. This program employed a qualitative approach by involving active community participation in needs assessment, socialization, training, and evaluation. In the economic aspect, workshops on dishwashing liquid and herbal pesticide production were implemented as alternative household businesses. The educational sector included religious moderation through a short movie screening Mabbere, anti-bullying campaigns, ecoprint totebag training, and teaching at kindergarten, elementary, and junior high school levels. In the religious field, activities included Qur’an learning after Maghrib with children and Yasin recitals for both men and women. The social-environmental aspect was realized through community clean-up, educational boards on waste decomposition, distribution of garbage bins, and environmental awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, the health aspect focused on education about clean and healthy living behaviors, stunting prevention campaigns, and community exercise. The findings revealed improvements in entrepreneurial skills, children’s literacy, spiritual values, environmental awareness, and healthy lifestyles. The implication highlights that multidimensional community empowerment can serve as an effective strategy to reduce extreme poverty and promote sustainable village development.  

Kuala Indah Village in Sei Suka, Batubara, North Sumatra, is a coastal village whose economy relies on fisheries and aquaculture. The community is predominantly Muslim and also practices small-scale agriculture and animal husbandry. The Community Service Program (KKN) provides a platform for students to apply academic theory in real-world contexts, while also encouraging active community involvement. KKN students implement various programs, such as stunting prevention, religious moderation, skills training for poverty alleviation, and education for children and adolescents. They also play a role in increasing community participation through cultural activities and supporting local businesses by strengthening digital visibility. These initiatives support the creation of inclusive villages, providing equal access and opportunities regardless of gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. This collaborative approach reinforces the value of mutual cooperation and enriches social and educational life in the village. Through KKN, universities demonstrate their tangible contribution to village development. The success of this program underscores the importance of social inclusion and collective work in promoting sustainable development in rural areas like Kuala Indah.  

Strengthening religious moderation is a strategic effort to build a harmonious social life, especially in Berastagi, which is characterized by cultural, religious, and ethnic diversity. Through the Community Service Program (KKN) of UINSU students in 2025, various programs were designed to encourage community participation while raising collective awareness of the importance of religious moderation values. The main programs include a dish soap-making workshop as an economic empowerment initiative, an anti-bullying campaign to instill tolerance, an education awareness campaign to build a quality generation, the creation of educational boards on waste management to preserve the environment, and the “Sapa Desa” (Semangat Aksi Peduli Desa) movement to strengthen social relations. In addition, supplementary programs such as KKN Cerdas, RUMTAr, Gen Q, Spada, along with student involvement in the fruit and flower festival, selling local products, supporting farmers, and fundraising for the Independence Day celebration, further reinforced collaborative roles with the community. These activities are expected to create synergy between students and the people of Berastagi in fostering inclusive attitudes, mutual cooperation, and environmental care, making religious moderation not only a concept but also a real practice in social life.

This article examines the role of students of the Real Work Lecture (KKN) of the State Islamic University of North Sumatra in Stabat Lama Village in supporting community development through an integrative approach that covers three main areas, namely religious moderation, stunting prevention, and extreme poverty alleviation. The religious moderation program is carried out through Maghrib Mengaji, Gebyar Islami, and interfaith dialogue, which has been proven to strengthen tolerance and social harmony in the community. The stunting prevention program is realized through the provision of supplemental food (PMT) based on local ingredients, which is able to improve the nutritional status of toddlers while preventing the risk of new stunting. Furthermore, the community economic empowerment program is carried out through ecoprint training with eco pounding techniques that produce works of selling value and open up opportunities for environment-based businesses. The results of the activities show that the three programs complement each other and contribute to improving health, economic independence, and socio-religious harmony. The real impact of the implementation of this program is not only felt in the short term, but also provides the foundation for the development of a more independent and sustainable society. Through the active involvement of students, KKN activities succeeded in connecting academic theory with real practice in the field, so that it was able to provide contextual solutions to village problems. The empowerment carried out also emphasizes inclusive community participation, especially vulnerable groups such as housewives and toddlers, so as to provide more equitable benefits. Thus, KKN in Stabat Lama Village represents a holistic, sustainable, and relevant service model to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Desa Kareo, Serang Regency, faces environmental challenges due to the dominance of industrial activities, resulting in a lack of green spaces and increased air temperatures. This situation prompted the implementation of a greening program as a form of community service to support the improvement of the village's environmental quality. The program was carried out using a participatory approach, involving residents in identifying critical land areas, planting seedlings (BIVIT), and post-planting maintenance. Greening efforts focused on open lands, roadside areas, and public facilities that were previously barren. The results showed an improvement in the visual comfort of the environment, a reduction in barren areas, and increased community participation in preserving the plants. These findings confirm that locally collaborative greening initiatives have significant potential to restore environmental quality, especially in areas heavily impacted by industrial activities. Reforestation efforts focused on previously barren open spaces, roadsides, and public facilities. These previously unproductive lands now serve as green spaces that provide ecological benefits, such as carbon sequestration and improved air quality. Furthermore, tree planting has a positive impact on lowering local temperatures, a crucial issue given the increasing temperature levels associated with urbanization and industrial activity. The reforestation program demonstrated significant improvements in environmental visual comfort, a reduction in barren areas, and increased community participation in caring for the planted plants. The community members involved in the program demonstrated a sense of ownership of their environment and a commitment to maintaining the sustainability of the planted plants. These findings confirm that reforestation initiatives involving local collaboration have significant potential to restore environmental quality, particularly in areas impacted by industrial activity. With this program, it is hoped that the quality of life of the Kareo Village community will improve as the ecological balance in the area is maintained.

Community participation in the formation of Village Regulations (Perdes) is an important indicator in realizing transparent, democratic, and responsive village governance to the needs of residents. However, in Teluk Kapuas Village, the level of community participation in the process is still relatively low. This is evident from the minimal involvement of residents and village officials in understanding the mechanisms and urgency of Perdes preparation. Based on these conditions, Community Service (PKM) activities were carried out with the aim of increasing the knowledge, understanding, and awareness of the community and village officials regarding the importance of active involvement in Perdes formation. The problems raised in this activity include: (1) the level of knowledge and understanding of village officials regarding the procedures for Perdes formation; and (2) factors that hinder the community from participating optimally. The methods used were lectures and interactive discussions involving village officials and community representatives. The results of the activities showed that the understanding of village officials and the community was still limited, so that participation in Perdes formation was not optimal. Through this PKM activity, it is hoped that there will be an increase in the understanding, awareness, and involvement of the Teluk Kapuas Village community in the Perdes formulation process so that it can produce village regulations that are more participatory and meet the needs of residents.

This community service program focuses on enhancing digital literacy, documenting cultural traditions, and developing integrated promotional media through the EthnoGring platform in Tlemang Cultural Tourism Village, Lamongan. The activities were conducted in collaboration with the local tourism group, Pokdarwis “Bukit Inggil,” through stages of needs assessment, digital literacy training, cultural content production and curation, platform development, and monitoring and evaluation. The results indicate that digitalization strengthens community capacity to manage tourism promotion while simultaneously safeguarding cultural heritage in the face of modernization. Cultural outputs such as documentaries, photographs of traditional rituals, interview transcripts with cultural figures, and an e-book on the Nyanggring tradition serve not only as promotional tools but also as efforts to conserve collective community knowledge. The integration of these outputs into the EthnoGring platform, equipped with public service and tourism information features, highlights the strategic role of digital innovation in supporting sustainable tourism village development. Early impacts include broader exposure of Tlemang’s cultural heritage, the emergence of local economic initiatives, and the establishment of a more adaptive community organization. Although challenges remain, particularly in digital infrastructure, collective engagement and institutional support serve as key foundations for sustainability. Therefore, EthnoGring contributes not only to cultural preservation but also to strengthening the social, economic, and institutional dimensions of sustainable tourism.

The objective of this mentoring activity is to increase the capacity of swimming pool managers, particularly in strengthening management and sustainable management strategies. With this increased capacity, it is hoped that Tirta Arum Swimming Pool can develop into a valuable village asset, both economically and socially. The swimming pool will not only provide a source of income for the village but also serve as a means of recreation, education, and social interaction for the surrounding community. The method used in this mentoring activity is Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), an approach that emphasizes active community participation in every stage of the planning process, decision-making, and program implementation. PRA enables village communities, including Tirta Arum Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) managers, to analyze their environmental conditions, identify problems, and design contextual and sustainable solutions. This approach is implemented through structured mentoring, education, and training activities. Direct community involvement aims to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility for swimming pool management. In addition, with training tailored to local needs, managers are expected to be able to apply effective management principles, from planning and financial management to customer service and promotional strategies. Thus, the results of this activity are not only temporary improvements, but also long-term empowerment that contributes to the independence and business aspirations of the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes). Through the PRA method, this activity not only provides an immediate solution to swimming pool management problems but also increases the independence of the community and managers in developing and operating the business sustainably. This increased community participation is expected to foster a sense of ownership (a sense of belonging) towards the swimming pool as a shared property.

Village digitalization is one of the village government transformation strategies in providing fast, transparent, and easily accessible services to the community. Through the use of village websites, village governments strive to accelerate administrative processes, disseminate public information, and strengthen community participation. The methods used in this community service activity are participatory and collaborative. The results of the activity evaluation show that the implementation of digitalization in Sungai Baung Village has had a positive impact on the efficiency of service time, increased access to information, and community involvement in village development. However, challenges such as limited human resources, internet infrastructure, and community digital literacy are still obstacles that need to be overcome. Therefore, ongoing efforts are needed in training and mentoring, provision of digital facilities, and collaboration between parties to ensure the success of village digitalization as a whole.

Turmeric is a spice commodity that has high economic market potential. However, the utilization of turmeric, especially in Kunden Village, Sukoharjo Regency is still limited in terms of processing innovation, and creates organic waste that has not been optimally utilized, namely turmeric leaves. The Village Development Program, carried out a zero waste-based transformation through the manufacture of gummy spices from rhizomes and liquid organic fertilizer from turmeric leaf waste. This activity is with the farmer women's group of Tani Lestari, with stages of socialization, training, and practice. The results of this program show that the farmer women's group of Tani Lestari members are able to understand product processing innovations in the form of turmeric gummy and optimize turmeric leaf waste into liquid organic fertilizer. Gummy turmeric is a functional food product that is good for health, while liquid organic fertilizer is an alternative to reducing organic waste from turmeric leaves to support sustainable agriculture. The provision of e-modules strengthens the sustainability of the program even after the activity has ended. Zero waste-based innovation not only encourages community participation, especially farmer women's group in village development based on local resources, but also creates a community that is adaptive to progress.