Advancing the 2030 agenda with community importance-performance perspective and public relations strategies for community-based sanitation

• This study shows how engaging the community can improve sanitation and support SDG 6. • Using a unique analysis method, the study identifies the most critical sanitation needs. • This study demonstrates how public relations can boost community trust and cooperation. • It offers a practical framework that combines community feedback with effective strategies. • This approach provides an adaptable model to improve sustainable sanitation efforts. This study addresses the critical challenge of achieving sustainable sanitation practices in the Komodo subdistrict, focusing on the role of community engagement and public relations strategies in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable sanitation is essential for public health, environmental protection, and overall community well-being, yet its implementation often faces barriers, including community resistance, lack of awareness, and inconsistent service quality. By employing Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA), this research evaluates community perceptions of key sanitation indicators, identifying both successful aspects and areas that require improvement to meet sustainability goals. The results reveal that indicators such as septic system adoption, desludging service quality, and efficient fecal sludge management are perceived as highly important and are critical to achieving sustainable outcomes. The study also underscores the pivotal role of public relations in fostering community collaboration, building trust, and enhancing engagement among stakeholders, demonstrating that effective communication strategies can significantly influence community acceptance and participation in sanitation initiatives. These findings suggest that prioritizing community-driven approaches and strengthening communication efforts can enhance the impact of sanitation programs, ensuring they are well-received and actively supported. This research contributes a framework for integrating public relations with community engagement in sanitation planning, offering a model that can be adapted for sustainable development initiatives in other regions. Future research should explore similar frameworks in diverse settings to further validate and refine strategies that promote sustainable sanitation at scale.