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The Rumah Padat Karya Program in Surabaya City is one of the local government policies to reduce poverty through job creation and empowerment of low-income communities (MBR). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rumah Padat Karya Program in reducing poverty rates in Surabaya and to assess its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The study employs a formal evaluation approach with a formative evaluation type, given that the program is still ongoing. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation, and analyzed qualitatively. The evaluation was conducted using William N. Dunn’s (2003) criteria, comprising effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, equity, responsiveness, and appropriateness. The results indicate that the program is fairly effective in reducing poverty and unemployment through local workforce absorption and the productive utilization of previously idle government assets. However, limitations remain, including budget constraints, inter-district facility disparities, weak inter-agency coordination, and suboptimal business mentoring and market access. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the mentoring system, equalize facilities, and enhance cross-sector collaboration so that the program can run more optimally and sustainably.  

Urban poverty remains a complex social problem that affects various community groups, including scavengers who work within the informal sector. This study aims to analyze the survival strategies of scavengers in Tangerang City and reflect on their experiences from a Christian theological perspective. The research uses a qualitative approach through literature study and descriptive analysis of relevant social phenomena. The findings show that scavengers develop several survival strategies, including utilizing family and community networks, working persistently, selecting strategic collection areas, managing limited income, and adapting to uncertain environmental and economic conditions. Nevertheless, scavengers continue to face social marginalization, economic vulnerability, occupational risks, limited access to health services, and inadequate social protection. From a Christian theological perspective, this reality calls for a response grounded in love, justice, human dignity, and concern for marginalized communities. Therefore, churches, local communities, and wider society are expected to participate actively in empowering scavengers through holistic, inclusive, and contextual approaches that strengthen welfare, social recognition, and sustainable livelihoods.

This research is motivated by the complex problems of street children, vagrants, and beggars in Jambi City, which are influenced by poverty, urbanization, and weak social protection. This phenomenon not only impacts public order but also reflects the suboptimal social welfare system at the regional level. Although local governments have implemented various policies through social order and rehabilitation approaches, their effectiveness still faces various structural and cultural challenges. This study uses Bryson's Policy Implementation Mapping theoretical framework, which includes indicators of interests, resources, channels, potential participation, level of influence, implications, and actions as the main analysis. The research approach used is a qualitative case study design to understand the dynamics of policy implementation in depth. Data collection techniques were carried out through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation, with informants selected using purposive sampling until data saturation was achieved. The results show that policy implementation mapping has been carried out through collaboration between the Social Service and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) with a structured preventive, repressive, and rehabilitative approach. However, implementation has not been optimal due to limited rehabilitation facilities, lack of coordination between agencies, low community participation, and high mobility of beggars from outside the region. Furthermore, there is a gap between high administrative achievements and the reality on the ground, which still shows a high rate of returning to the streets. This study concludes that mapping policy implementation requires a more holistic, sustainable approach based on economic empowerment and strengthened cross-sectoral coordination to address this social issue more effectively and effectively.

The Labor-Intensive Housing Program is one of the Surabaya City Government’s policies aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment through labor-intensive community empowerment. This study aims to describe and analyze the implementation of the Labor-Intensive Housing Program (RPK) at the Pitstop business unit in Lidah Kulon Village, Lakarsantri Subdistrict, Surabaya City. This study employs a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, utilizing Van Meter and Van’s policy implementation theory. Primary data were collected through interviews and observations, while secondary data were derived from official documents and relevant publications. The results showed that the implementation of the Pitstop Labor Intensive Housing Program has not yet been optimal. In terms of policy standards and objectives, the program’s goals have been clearly defined but have not yet been fully achieved. Regarding resources, the availability of facilities and funding is adequate, but there are still limitations in human resources, particularly skilled technicians in the automotive repair field. Inter organizational communication has taken place but has not been intensive enough to support business sustainability. Characteristics of the implementing agents indicate that the structure of the Labor-Intensive Housing team has been clearly defined; however, implementation in the field has not been optimal due to weak coordination and communication. Economic, social, and political conditions-such as a less-than-strategic business location and high competition from similar businesses-have also contributed to the low number of customers. Meanwhile, the disposition of the implementers demonstrates a positive attitude in supporting the Labor-Intensive Housing program. The Labor-Intensive Housing Program must be supported by professional mechanics through education, certification, and collaboration with the private sector and training institutions to ensure the quality of services. In addition, building public trust, coordination among stakeholders, and intensive support through monitoring and evaluation are key to the success and sustainability of the Labor-Intensive Housing Program.

Zakat is a key instrument in the Islamic economic system, functioning as a mechanism for income redistribution and poverty alleviation. However, zakat management at the level of mosque-based Zakat Collection Units (Unit Pengumpul Zakat/UPZ) still faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of managerial capacity, administrative systems, and institutional governance. This community service project aims to optimize the collection and distribution of zakat through capacity building of the UPZ management at Al-Hidayah Mosque, Mandailing Natal. The study employed a participatory approach consisting of observation, joint planning, socialization, training, mentoring, and evaluation stages. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and structured questionnaires administered through pre-test and post-test to measure participants’ knowledge improvement. Data analysis was conducted using a descriptive comparative method to assess changes before and after the intervention. The results indicate a significant improvement in the managerial capacity of UPZ administrators, as reflected by an increase in the average score from 55% in the pre-test to 80% in the post-test. In addition, improvements were observed in zakat management practices, including the establishment of simple financial recording systems, the development of a structured database of donors (muzakki) and beneficiaries (mustahik), and enhanced transparency and accountability. Qualitatively, the program also fostered behavioral change among administrators, the emergence of local leadership, and increased public trust in the UPZ. This study concludes that participatory-based socialization, training, and mentoring are effective in strengthening institutional capacity and optimizing zakat management at the grassroots level. The findings highlight the importance of governance and capacity building in enhancing the effectiveness of community-based zakat institutions.

Zakat is a key instrument in the Islamic economic system, functioning as a mechanism for income redistribution and poverty alleviation. However, zakat management at the level of mosque-based Zakat Collection Units (Unit Pengumpul Zakat/UPZ) still faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of managerial capacity, administrative systems, and institutional governance. This community service project aims to optimize the collection and distribution of zakat through capacity building of the UPZ management at Al-Hidayah Mosque, Mandailing Natal. The study employed a participatory approach consisting of observation, joint planning, socialization, training, mentoring, and evaluation stages. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and structured questionnaires administered through pre-test and post-test to measure participants’ knowledge improvement. Data analysis was conducted using a descriptive comparative method to assess changes before and after the intervention. The results indicate a significant improvement in the managerial capacity of UPZ administrators, as reflected by an increase in the average score from 55% in the pre-test to 80% in the post-test. In addition, improvements were observed in zakat management practices, including the establishment of simple financial recording systems, the development of a structured database of donors (muzakki) and beneficiaries (mustahik), and enhanced transparency and accountability. Qualitatively, the program also fostered behavioral change among administrators, the emergence of local leadership, and increased public trust in the UPZ. This study concludes that participatory-based socialization, training, and mentoring are effective in strengthening institutional capacity and optimizing zakat management at the grassroots level. The findings highlight the importance of governance and capacity building in enhancing the effectiveness of community-based zakat institutions.

Adolescence is often faced with various challenges from the community, school, and family environment. Adolescents from underprivileged families are often overshadowed by economic limitations that hinder access to quality education and skills development. One way to address this is by empowering adolescents through non-formal education by honing skills to improve their quality when entering the world of work. This study aims to determine the implementation of empowerment of underprivileged adolescents in increasing independence at the Information and Communication Technology Islamic Boarding School (PeTIK) in Depok using qualitative methods and data collection techniques through interviews, observation, and documentation. Data are presented in the form of descriptions and written reports, as well as drawing conclusions. The results show that PeTIK significantly helps underprivileged adolescents to gain education and real-world experience in the world of work. This empowerment is an effort made so that adolescents have the ability to develop their academic and non-academic potential. In addition, PeTIK has succeeded in increasing adolescent independence such as emotional independence, social independence, intellectual independence, and economic independence.

The background of this research is based on the enormous potential of zakat, infaq, shadaqah, and waqf (ZISWAF) as Islamic social finance instruments which, if managed optimally and sustainably, can play a significant role in reducing poverty and promoting comprehensive economic independence among communities amid the ongoing challenges of social inequality. The purpose of this study is to explain the strategic function of ZISWAF in strengthening the community’s economy while emphasizing the urgency of professional, transparent, and targeted management for the improvement of public welfare at large. The research method used was library research, evaluating various literature sources such as books, scientific journals, and relevant previous research reports. The collected data was then analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach to provide an in-depth understanding of the mechanism of economic empowerment through ZISWAF. Research findings show that ZISWAF plays a crucial role in improving economic welfare through a paradigm shift from consumptive assistance to productive assistance programs. Management oriented towards sustainability and transparency has proven effective in promoting economic ind ependence among low-income communities and significantly reducing poverty rates. The implication of this study confirm that strengthening regulations, digitizing management, and improving public literacy regarding ZISWAF are essential. Management institutions must continue to improve their accountability in order to increase public trust, so that ZISWAF can become a key development in the future.