Co-design Method as an Educational Approach for Aspiring Village Facilitators

Abstract There is an immediate need for a facilitator to assume the role of a village designer, facilitating the co-design process in the advancement of designs rooted in local potential. Indonesia is predominantly composed of villages, which are presently confronted with significant social transformations that have adverse effects on traditional knowledge and the ability of the village community to maintain a sustainable way of life. Current government developments are mostly being carried out with a top-down approach, with indicators being seen from the absorption of the village budget to infrastructure, which is mostly uniform in outputs. On the flip side, every village is distinct and possesses a personal quality that could serve as a foundation for the local community’s economy. By implementing a one-size-fits-all approach to development, the government fails to recognize the unique strengths and resources that each village possesses. Hence, there is an immediate need for a facilitator to assume the role of a village designer, facilitating the co-design process in the advancement of designs rooted in local potential. As an effort to produce effective facilitators, Sebelas Maret University initiated a program called MBKM in Sabrang Village to educate students to become village facilitators. This activity was implemented with a co-design approach, which emphasises the observation of local potential and development processes by positioning local communities as experts, partners, and decision-makers.