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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.  

The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Indonesia continues to face various challenges, particularly those related to poverty, social inequality, and increasing environmental degradation caused by climate change. These conditions highlight the need for an instrument capable of integrating social welfare objectives with environmental sustainability. This article aims to analyze the role of green zakat as an Islamic social finance instrument in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using a library research method through the collection and analysis of various sources, including academic journals, books, official reports, and other relevant documents related to zakat, Islamic social finance, green economy, and sustainable development. The findings indicate that green zakat has significant potential to support the achievement of the SDGs through environmentally based economic empowerment programs, such as sustainable agriculture, reforestation, waste management, and the development of eco-friendly businesses for vulnerable communities. In addition to contributing to poverty alleviation, green zakat can support climate change mitigation efforts and environmental conservation in line with the principles of maqashid sharia. However, its implementation still faces several challenges, including limited public literacy, inadequate regulatory support, and suboptimal governance of environmental-based programs. Therefore, stronger collaboration among government institutions, zakat management organizations, and society is needed to develop a more effective green zakat model. Future studies are recommended to conduct empirical research to measure the impact of green zakat implementation on specific and measurable SDG indicators.

This study contributes to the advancement of Islamic social finance discourse by developing a conceptual framework for a digitally integrated zakat governance model within the agricultural sector. The study addresses a critical gap between productive zakat practices and the emerging landscape of digital agricultural transformation. While previous research has largely focused on the redistributive function of zakat as a mechanism for poverty alleviation, limited scholarly attention has been directed toward its potential transformation into a technology-enabled and productivity-oriented instrument that supports sustainable development objectives. Employing a qualitative research approach through content analysis, this study synthesizes interdisciplinary perspectives from Islamic economics, zakat governance, agricultural technology innovation, and digital sustainability studies. The study proposes a Digital Farming Zakat Platform framework consisting of five interconnected dimensions: geospatial-based beneficiary identification, smart farming empowerment, sharia-compliant financial mechanisms, agricultural market integration, and data-driven monitoring systems.

Substandard housing remains a multidimensional urban problem because it intersects with structural safety, indoor environmental quality, sanitation, clean water, poverty, and the effectiveness of policy implementation. This study evaluates the implementation of the substandard housing improvement program (RTLH) in Lubuk Linggau City by integrating a technical audit of housing quality with an implementation analysis based on the variables of communication, resources, implementer disposition, and bureaucratic structure. A descriptive-evaluative mixed approach was applied through field observation, technical scoring of ten rehabilitated houses, document review, and structured interviews with regulators, field facilitators, and beneficiary households. The results show that the cumulative technical conformity index reached 3.325 out of 4.00, equivalent to 83%, and was classified as adequate housing. Structural resilience achieved the highest score at 88%, followed by space adequacy at 85%, natural lighting and ventilation at 80%, and sanitation and clean water at 75%. Five houses were classified as adequate housing, while five were classified as fairly adequate/light substandard housing. The implementation analysis indicates that clear practical communication and facilitator assistance strengthened structural quality, but limited financial resources, weak environmental-health prioritization, and administratively oriented supervision reduced sanitation and ventilation performance. The study recommends standardized septic systems, stronger post-construction technical verification, healthy-housing education, realistic unit budgets, and quality-oriented monitoring.

Food and nutrition governance is a central issue in subnational development, especially in areas with high agricultural potential but persistent malnutrition. This study analyzes how Grobogan Regency, Indonesia, implements food and nutrition governance through its 2025–2029 Regional Action Plan for Food and Nutrition Based on Local Resource Potential (RAD-PGBPSDL). Using qualitative policy analysis, the research examines policy design, strategic priorities, coordination mechanisms, and indicator frameworks, supported by secondary data on food production, consumption, poverty, and nutrition. Findings show that Grobogan possesses strong local food assets, including surplus production, improved dietary quality, and diverse commodities. However, major governance challenges persist, such as high stunting rates, maternal energy deficiency, uneven food access, climate-related production risks, and fragmented cross-sector data systems. The policy demonstrates a shift toward multisectoral governance by integrating food availability, affordability, utilization, institutional coordination, climate resilience, and local food diversification. Implementation may be constrained by limited operational detail, uneven agency readiness, and insufficient monitoring and accountability. The study highlights that effective food and nutrition governance requires institutional coordination, evidence-based planning, and adaptive public management. The Grobogan case provides practical lessons for strengthening subnational governance in Indonesia and similar developing contexts.

This study investigates the role of Baitul Maal wa Tamwil (BMT) in empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through the integration of Maqashid Sharia principles and financial inclusion strategies. Despite the strategic importance of MSMEs in economic growth and poverty reduction, many face challenges in accessing formal financial services. BMT, with its dual function of social (maal) and commercial (tamwil) activities, offers a unique platform to bridge this gap. Using a qualitative systematic literature review guided by PRISMA, this study analyzes 30 relevant articles to examine BMT operational models, implementation of Maqashid Sharia objectives, financial inclusion practices, and their impact on MSME performance. Findings indicate that BMT effectively supports MSMEs in capital access, income generation, and business resilience, but inconsistencies in balancing social and commercial objectives limit. holistic empowerment. Integrating Maqashid Sharia principles enhances ethical and sustainable outcomes, while financial inclusion expands outreach to underserved entrepreneurs. Optimization strategies, including strengthening institutional capacity, combining financial and non-financial support, and context-specific interventions, are essential for maximizing BMT effectiveness. This study contributes a comprehensive framework linking ethical, financial, and empowerment dimensions, offering practical guidance for policymakers and BMT managers in promoting inclusive and sustainable MSME development.

This study aims to analyze the effect of the Open Unemployment Rate (OUR), Human Development Index (HDI), and zakat on poverty in Mandailing Natal Regency. The study employed a quantitative approach using the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) based on quarterly secondary data from 2015 to 2025. The analytical procedures included stationarity testing, optimal lag selection, Johansen cointegration testing, VECM estimation, Granger causality testing, as well as Impulse Response Function (IRF) and Variance Decomposition (VD) analyses. The findings indicate that all variables were stationary at the second difference level, with an optimal lag length of four, and exhibited a long-run cointegration relationship. The VECM estimation reveals that, in the long run, the Open Unemployment Rate has a positive and significant effect on poverty, while zakat has a negative and significant effect in reducing poverty. In contrast, the Human Development Index does not significantly affect poverty, which may be explained by the presence of a development time lag and employment mismatch between workforce competencies and labor market demands. The Granger causality test indicates a one-way causal relationship from the Open Unemployment Rate to the Human Development Index. Furthermore, the Variance Decomposition analysis shows that poverty variation is predominantly explained by its own shocks (96.25%), reflecting the persistence of structural poverty. Therefore, policy synergy through employment expansion and the optimization of productive zakat programs based on business empowerment is recommended to accelerate poverty alleviation in Mandailing Natal Regency.

Income inequality is a structural development problem that can trigger social conflict, affect long-term economic growth, and hinder the achievement of SDGs. The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors that contribute to income inequality in East Java Province by combining demographic, social, and economic factors. The data used includes panel data from 38 districts and cities in East Java Province between 2017 and 2023 period. The analysis method used is panel data regression with a fixed effect model. To measure the effect of variables on income inequality, the testing was conducted partially and simultaneosly. The individual test results show that elderly dependency and poverty have a positive and significant relationship, while the human development index and economic growth are proportional but not significantly, and the open unemployment rate is not significant negative. Simultaneously, all variables have a significant effect on income inequality of 55.67 percent, with the remaining 44.37 percent influenced by variables outside the scope of this study.

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.

Poverty is a multidimensional problem that remains a major development challenge in Central Tapanuli Regency. Growth in Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), increased realization of Foreign Direct Investment (PMA) and Domestic Direct Investment (PMDN), and zakat collection should be important instruments in reducing poverty rates. However, data from 2019–2023 shows a discrepancy, where the growth in these macroeconomic and social indicators is not accompanied by a decrease in the number of poor people. This study aims to analyze the influence of zakat, GRDP, PMA, and PMDN on poverty levels in Central Tapanuli Regency. The research method used is qualitative descriptive analysis with secondary data from BPS, BAZNAS, and BKPM as well as interviews with relevant parties. The results show that zakat does contribute to alleviating the burden on mustahik, but its role is still limited because the majority of distribution is consumptive. GRDP increased from Rp9.95 trillion in 2019 to Rp13.67 trillion in 2023, but the resulting economic growth is not yet inclusive. Foreign direct investment (FDI) tends to be oriented towards large capital with limited labor absorption, while domestic direct investment (PMDN) is closer to local needs but still less than optimal in poverty alleviation. Overall, the increase in zakat, GRDP, FDI, and PMDN has not been able to reduce the poverty rate, which actually increased from 376,474 people in 2019 to 489,760 people in 2023. Thus, a more inclusive development strategy, optimization of productive zakat, and investment policies that favor labor-intensive sectors and MSMEs are needed so that economic growth truly impacts poverty reduction.

This article analyzes the recurring flash floods in North Konawe Regency which occurred in 2000, 2013, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 as ecological disasters causally linked to three decades of natural resource exploitation through logging, oil palm plantations, and open-pit nickel mining. Using the dual framework of political ecology and environmental justice, this article argues that these disasters are not neutral natural events, but rather the product of a structured system of injustice: the indigenous Culambacu People and Tolaki People communities who were excluded from decision-making processes regarding extractive permits have borne the greatest burden of the destructive impacts of such exploitation. The most dramatic event was the 2019 flood that devastated Tapuwatu Village, causing losses amounting to Rp 674.8 billion and displacing 9,908 people. The findings demonstrate that the dominant government narrative framing the floods as “natural disasters caused by high rainfall” constitutes a strategic denial that obscures structural responsibility. Empirical data including rates of deforestation, exceeded river carrying capacity, and the chronology of concession expansion correlated with disaster escalation support the ecological disaster thesis. Persistent poverty amid abundant natural resource wealth confirms the condition of a “sacrifice zone,” characterized simultaneously by distributive, recognitional, and procedural injustices.

The Family Hope Program (Program Keluarga Harapan/PKH) is Indonesia's primary conditional cash transfer (CCT) scheme for poverty alleviation. This study examines PKH effectiveness in improving household welfare among beneficiaries in Oebobo District, Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), employing a Three-Stage Least Squares (3SLS) simultaneous equation approach. The analysis integrates a Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) perspective to evaluate Access, Participation, Control, and Benefit (APCB) dimensions for vulnerable groups. A mixed-methods explanatory sequential design was applied to 151 beneficiary households selected via proportional sampling across three urban sub-districts. The 3SLS estimations establish that targeting accuracy (X1) and economic empowerment (X3) are the most significant determinants of PKH effectiveness; PKH effectiveness (Y1) strongly shapes household governance (Y2) through the Family Capacity Building Meetings (P2K2) mechanism; and PKH effectiveness is the dominant determinant of household welfare (Y3), with a near-unity coefficient (β=0.97). GEDSI analysis reveals that female-headed households, the elderly, and persons with disabilities face compounding vulnerabilities inadequately addressed by current program design. The study recommends strengthening data verification systems, embedding economic empowerment as a core pillar, and adopting differentiated targeting based on intersectional vulnerability profiles.

The management of Uninhabitable Houses (Rumah Tidak Layak Huni/RTLH) in Sikka Regency faces a critical challenge due to the high number of inadequate housing units distributed across both urban and rural areas with complex geographical characteristics. The primary obstacle to effective policy implementation stems from the limited capacity of local government interventions in improving housing quality on a sustainable basis, which is largely caused by poor-quality housing data and the absence of an integrated single-data information system. This policy paper aims to formulate an acceleration strategy for addressing RTLH through the reform of data governance that is accurate, efficient, and accountable. Using Eugene Bardach’s (2012) policy analysis framework to evaluate alternative solutions based on technical feasibility, economic viability, political acceptability, and administrative operability, this study identifies the transformation of intervention mechanisms based on the National Integrated Socio-Economic Data (Data Tunggal Sosial Ekonomi Nasional/DTSEN) as the most appropriate policy option. To ensure long-term sustainability, the paper recommends a Phased Convergence Strategy, whereby data cleansing and matching processes based on DTSEN are implemented at the upstream level and subsequently integrated into the “One Data RTLH Sikka” digital platform in the medium term. This operational strategy is further strengthened through the enactment of a Regent Regulation (Peraturan Bupati) on Data Governance and the Mechanism for Determining Eligible Beneficiaries of Decent Housing Assistance, providing a legally binding framework for policy implementation. By positioning village and urban ward governments as the frontline actors in conducting by-name-by-address (BNBA) field verification, the policy minimizes the risks of inclusion and exclusion errors, eliminates budget overlaps, and optimizes local innovative programs such as the TERKASIH House Assistance Scheme (Terima Kunci Siap Huni – “Receiving the Key to a Ready-to-Occupy House”). The implementation of these recommendations is expected to promote data-driven governance that accelerates the reduction of extreme poverty and enhances the effectiveness of housing assistance programs in Sikka Regency.

This study aims to analyze the skills gap in the era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the factors influencing it. The research employed a descriptive-analytical approach based on literature studies and the author’s analysis of the dynamics of formal education curricula and the development of industrial needs. The findings indicate that formal education curricula that are less adaptive to technological developments are the main factor causing the skills gap. In addition, the slow adaptation to technology in educational and industrial environments, as well as the unequal distribution of skills development across various regions in Indonesia, further widen the gap between graduates’ competencies and labor market demands. This condition affects the low readiness of the workforce in facing digital transformation and global competition. The study concludes that the skills gap is a strategic issue requiring serious attention from the government, educational institutions, and the industrial sector. Curriculum reform that is responsive to technological advancements, strengthening digital literacy, and ensuring equal access to training and skills development are essential steps to improve the competitiveness of Indonesian human resources. These efforts are expected to support poverty reduction, reduce social inequality, and achieve the long-term national development goals toward Indonesia Golden Vision 2045.

Stunting remains a persistent nutritional challenge that threatens human capital development in Indonesia. This study examines the effects of exclusive breastfeeding, female education, sanitation, access to safe drinking water, inadequate food consumption, and poverty on stunting prevalence across 34 provinces in Indonesia during 2017–2024. The study employs a random-effects Panel EGLS estimator with Panel Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) to address heteroskedasticity and cross-sectional dependence in provincial panel data. The findings reveal that exclusive breastfeeding, female education, and adequate sanitation significantly reduce stunting prevalence, while poverty significantly increases it. Interestingly, inadequate food consumption is negatively associated with stunting prevalence, potentially reflecting the contribution of government nutritional assistance and social protection programs. In contrast, access to safe drinking water does not show a statistically significant effect. Among the explanatory variables, female education is strongly associated with reductions in stunting. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening women’s education, improving sanitation quality, and expanding poverty-alleviation and nutrition-sensitive interventions to accelerate reductions in stunting and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 in Indonesia.

Economic exploitation of children remains a serious issue within the child protection system in Indonesia, particularly in urban areas experiencing high socio-economic pressure. This study aims to analyze the forms of legal protection provided to children who become victims of economic exploitation by their parents in Manado City and to identify the factors that cause children to become involved in street-based economic activities. The research employed an empirical legal method with a socio-juridical approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, documentation, library research, and case-handling records from the Office of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection of Manado City. The data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive method to understand the relationship between child protection legal norms and social practices within society. The findings reveal that legal protection has been implemented through preventive and repressive measures, including public outreach, legal education, psychological assistance, social rehabilitation, and inter-agency coordination. However, its implementation has not yet been optimal due to family poverty, low parental education, weak legal awareness, permissive social environments, and limited institutional capacity at the regional level. This study emphasizes that protecting children from economic exploitation requires stronger law enforcement, social protection for vulnerable families, community economic empowerment, and an integrated child protection system to ensure children’s rights to education, welfare, and development are sustainably protected.

This study aims to identify and determine the conversational implicatures that arise in the comment section of Instagram @kementeriankegelapan, which discusses the issue of poisoning related to the “Makanan Bergizi Gratis” (Free Nutritious Food) program. The research method used is qualitative with a pragmatic approach, which not only examines the surface meaning but also considers the context of the utterances. The theory applied in this study is the theory of implicature, specifically conversational implicatures. The data were obtained from the comment section of Instagram @kementeriankegelapan on posts concerning the poisoning issue of MBG (Free Nutritious Food). Data collection was conducted using the listening method (Simak) and the advanced technique of listening-without-participating in speech (simak libat bebas cakap). Data analysis used the referential identity method (padan referensial) with the advanced technique of selecting defining elements (pilah unsur penentu). The findings show that there are eight pieces of data in the form of conversations, each containing an idea or topic that specifically responds to the satirical post uploaded on the @kementeriankegelapan account regarding the MBG food-poisoning issue. The topics include: Azab (punishment), Tunggangan di Akhirat (conveyance/punishment in the afterlife), shouting “Long live Jokowi!”, MBG as a way to alleviate poverty, color codes, preventing fights/gang fights, maggots, and “licking”/being servile. Each of these topics has its own implicature.

Widespread structural poverty is one of the tangible effects of a capitalist economic system that emphasizes capital accumulation and economic growth without regard for equity and social justice. This situation has prompted the Church to reexamine its role in a world marked by inequality and marginalization of the poor. This article aims to analyze the relevance of Pope Francis' thinking in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium as a theological and pastoral basis for the Church's stance towards the poor. This study uses a qualitative method with a literature review approach through document study, with Evangelii Gaudium as the main source, supported by relevant social theology literature and academic studies. The results of the study show that Pope Francis comprehensively understands poverty in three dimensions, namely material, moral, and spiritual poverty. Through Evangelii Gaudium, the Church is called to experience a change in its mission, from a self-centered Church to a Church that moves outward and is actively involved in the liberation of the poor. Thus, the Church not only carries out charitable works, but also acts as an agent of social change that brings the joy of the Gospel, justice, and hope to a world wounded by structural injustice.

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.

This study aims to analyze the influence of national income, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), on poverty levels in Indonesia from a sharia economic perspective. The research method used is quantitative with a simple linear regression approach, supported by a literature review to enrich the analysis from an Islamic perspective. The data used is annual secondary data from the 2010-2023 period sourced from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). The results indicate that national income (GDP) has a negative and significant effect on poverty levels in Indonesia, meaning that every increase in GDP is followed by a decrease in the percentage of the poor. From a sharia economic perspective, national income growth must be accompanied by a fair distribution mechanism through zakat, infaq, sedekah, and waqf (ZISWAF) instruments so that its benefits can be felt by all levels of society, in line with the concepts of falah and maqashid sharia.