Public Services, Community, and Its Involvement in Decision-Making for Local Development

Nowadays, the comprehensive approach to the decision-making of local government and the community is increasingly emphasized as an important factor without which there can be no sustainable development. Community participation in decision-making for the allocation of economic resources in the public sector is an important issue that is closely related to the economic efficiency of the use of resources and the consolidation of democracy in a country. Community participation in decision-making, as one of the essential elements of sustainable development, creates appropriate interaction and makes residents self-direct their behavior in accordance with the objectives of sustainable development. The objectives of the study aim to highlight: 1) the important role of the community in public decision-making for the use of economic resources 2) solving problems begins with the participation of residents in local government decision-making, 3) residents' perception of public services provided by the government local, 4) residents' perception of participation in public decision-making for the allocation of economic resources by the local government. The research method in this study is based on the literature study, analysis, and monitoring carried out by independent institutions and organizations on community participation in local government decision-making and on the qualitative technique for collecting primary data through interviewing residents in the study area. The results of the data analysis show that most of the interviewed residents do not know the development plans of their settlement. But the communities themselves have already realized that their participation in the planning process for the development of their settlements is necessary. For this reason, the local government and all other actors must create effective mechanisms to ensure the participation of residents in decision-making for local development, making the process more participatory and inclusive.   Received: 10 January 2023 / Accepted: 19 February 2023 / Published: 20 March 2023