From symbolic compliance to strategic action: local governance and the implementation of Indonesia’s stunting reduction policy

Stunting remains a major development challenge in Indonesia, with national efforts centered on accelerating its reduction through a multisectoral policy framework. While the strategy offers clear directives, its effectiveness depends on how it is interpreted and enacted at the local level. This study investigates the implementation of the national stunting reduction policy across six villages—three high-performing and three low-performing—in Jember Regency, East Java. Using a qualitative comparative case study design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 30 key stakeholders and analysis of village regulations related to stunting governance. Thematic analysis revealed striking disparities in policy understanding, leadership quality, community participation, and fiscal strategies. Low-performing villages often displayed symbolic compliance, vertical dependency, and limited initiative, while high-performing villages demonstrated catalytic leadership, inclusive engagement, and adaptive resource use. Broader contextual influences—including administrative capacity, socio-cultural norms, and institutional continuity—further shaped program outcomes. These findings underscore that effective policy implementation requires more than technical design; it demands localized, adaptive governance systems capable of translating national directives into meaningful community action. However, as this study examines six villages within a single regency, the findings provide context-specific insights and are not intended to be generalized to Indonesia as a whole. Strengthening local capacity, ownership, and resilience remains essential for improving child health and achieving sustainable development goals.