The article, Evaluation of the Implementation of the Grant Assistance Program at the People’s Welfare Bureau of the Regional Secretariat of East Java Province, reports that the program achieved 94.6 percent grant disbursement, 95 percent accountability report compliance, and 100 percent accuracy in issuing direct payment request documents (SPP-LS). The authors conclude that East Java has developed a governance model that significantly reduces administrative errors and strengthens public trust in regional grant management.
Why the Evaluation Matters
Regional grants are one of the Indonesian government’s most visible fiscal instruments because they directly support community organizations, religious institutions, educational foundations, orphanages, and social service providers. East Java’s grant allocation has grown rapidly, with the budget increasing from Rp869.4 billion in 2025 to Rp976.1 billion in 2026, and projected to reach Rp1.6 trillion in 2027. Such a dramatic increase raises concerns about administrative capacity, verification accuracy, and the risk of maladministration if oversight systems are not strengthened.
The researchers note that previous studies often focused only on compliance procedures or inter-agency communication, leaving a gap in understanding the broader social and economic impact of grant programs. Their evaluation therefore combines governance performance with real-world outcomes for communities across East Java’s 38 regencies and cities.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research used a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach and applied the CIPP evaluation model, which examines Context, Input, Process, and Product dimensions of public programs. Data were collected through:
- In-depth interviews with bureau leaders, verification staff, and grant recipients
- Direct observation of grant service operations
- Analysis of provincial regulations, budget documents, grant agreements, and accountability reports
To ensure reliability, the researchers compared information from government officials with evidence from beneficiary institutions and supporting administrative documents. This approach allowed them to examine not only official procedures but also how the program functions in practice.
Key Findings
The evaluation identified several strengths in the East Java grant assistance system.
Strong policy foundation
The program is supported by East Java Governor Regulation No. 7 of 2024, which provides a comprehensive framework for grant allocation and reduces opportunities for favoritism or politically motivated distribution.
Effective digital innovation
The “Abah Kesra” application has streamlined proposal submission, verification, and reporting processes. The system is integrated with other administrative platforms and includes automated reminders for institutions approaching reporting deadlines.
High procedural discipline
Field observations showed that verification staff follow detailed checklists covering institutional legality, budget plans, and grant agreement documents. The combination of manual verification and digital audit trails creates a transparent monitoring mechanism that helps prevent misuse of funds.
Excellent administrative performance
The study reports:
- 1,420 of 1,500 institutions successfully received grant disbursements (94.6%)
- 1,350 of 1,420 recipient institutions submitted accountability reports (95.0%)
- 85 percent of institutions submitted reports on time
- Zero defects were recorded in the issuance of SPP-LS payment documents
The authors describe these results as evidence of superior treasury governance within the provincial administration.
Social and Economic Benefits
The research highlights that the program’s impact extends far beyond budget absorption statistics.
Infrastructure development
Grant funds financed the construction and rehabilitation of:
- Mosques and churches
- Islamic boarding schools
- Orphanages
- Educational facilities
- Community service buildings
Examples cited in the study include grants exceeding Rp1 billion for PW Fatayat NU East Java, Yayasan Darussalam, and GPIB Bukit Kasih Surabaya, while more than 1,400 other institutions received assistance ranging from Rp50 million to Rp500 million for local infrastructure improvements.
Local economic multiplier effect
The circulation of grant funds generated economic activity through:
- Purchases of construction materials from local suppliers
- Employment of local construction workers
- Increased household purchasing power in lower-income communities
According to the researchers, this pattern of labor-intensive spending produces a rapid multiplier effect that supports regional economic recovery and strengthens village-level economic activity.
Remaining Challenges
Despite the strong performance, the study identifies important weaknesses that could become more significant as the budget continues to expand.
The most serious issue is the imbalance between the number of verifiers and the volume of applications. In 2026, the bureau handled 1,921 institutions, creating a heavy workload that may increase the risk of staff fatigue and reduce verification precision over time.
Another challenge is the low accounting and digital literacy among some beneficiary organizations, particularly in rural areas. Many institutions rely on volunteers who must manage financial reporting without professional accounting support. As a result, bureaucratic staff often provide extensive mentoring to help organizations prepare accountability reports that meet audit standards.
The researchers describe this as a “social burden anomaly”: high compliance rates are achieved partly because government officials must devote substantial additional time to educating and assisting community organizations.
Implications for Public Policy
The findings suggest that East Java’s grant management model could serve as a reference for other Indonesian provinces seeking to improve transparency and accountability in regional spending. The combination of clear regulations, digital systems, disciplined verification, and direct community engagement appears to be particularly effective in reducing opportunities for illegal deductions or brokerage practices.
Rachmawati Novaria of Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya and her co-authors emphasize that technology alone is not sufficient. Their analysis indicates that human-centered assistance and continuous financial education remain essential for maintaining accountability in community-based grant programs.
The study recommends:
- Technical training programs for financial reporting
- Collaboration with universities through community service and student outreach programs
- Additional operational support for field verification teams
- Interactive helpdesk features and video tutorials within the Abah Kesra application
These measures are intended to improve beneficiary independence while reducing the administrative burden on provincial officials.
Author Profiles
Thalia Intan Fandini, M.A.P. Candidate — Master of Public Administration Program, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. Her research focuses on public administration, policy evaluation, and regional governance.
Rachmawati Novaria — Lecturer in the Master of Public Administration Program, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. Her expertise includes public policy, regional governance, and public sector management.
Achluddin Ibnu Rochim — Lecturer in the Master of Public Administration Program, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya. His academic specialization is public administration and public sector organizational management.
Source
Fandini, Thalia Intan; Novaria, Rachmawati; Rochim, Achluddin Ibnu. “Evaluation of the Implementation of the Grant Assistance Program at the People’s Welfare Bureau of the Regional Secretariat of East Java Province.” International Journal of Sustainability in Research (IJSR), Vol. 4, No. 4, 2026, pp. 363–374. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijsr.v4i4.4. Bibliographic details and the study abstract are available in the published journal article.
0 Komentar