Knowing the Creative Village Program: Innovation for the People's Future

The Creative Village Program is an innovation developed by both the government and local communities to support sustainable economic growth and social inclusion across Indonesia's villages.

The emergence of this concept is more than a passing trend. It signals a growing recognition of the local potential that has long gone untapped: the richness of cultural heritage, traditional skills, and natural resources unique to each village.

So how is this concept being implemented across Indonesia, and what does it mean for village communities? Here is a full explanation of how the Creative Village Program works and the positive impact it delivers.

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What Is the Creative Village Program?

Under Ministerial Decree of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kepmen) Number KM/107/KD.03/2021 of 2021, the Creative Village program is defined as:

"A zone situated within the administrative boundaries of a village or sub-district whose community has developed flagship products in one or more of the 17 creative economy sub-sectors, generating added value and benefits for village economic growth."

In simple terms, this concept transforms ordinary villages into economic engines by excavating and refining the unique potential of local people and nature into high-value products.

Based on this definition, a village can be recognized as a Creative Village if it meets the following criteria:

• It has a flagship creative product, whether a good or a service, that adds economic value to the village.
• It develops local creative economy products within the 17 creative economy sub-sectors.
• It actively involves the community and local creative economy players.

Through this approach, villages are no longer seen merely as production areas. They become centers of innovation that harness local potential to its fullest

The Benefits of Creative Villages for Communities

So why has Indonesia's Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) been developing this concept for villages across the country? By cultivating and growing village potential, communities stand to gain the following benefits:

• Preserving local customs, traditions, and culture.
• Giving residents a more active role in village development.
• Strengthening social and cultural bonds within the village.
• Boosting the village economy and reducing development inequality.
• Expanding the skills of creative practitioners.
• Improving the quality and market value of village products.
  
  

Creative Village Program Examples Across Several Sub-Sectors

To fully grasp this concept, here are examples of Creative Village programs being implemented across several key sub-sectors:

• Architecture Sub-Sector: Programs that develop regionally distinctive building designs, such as constructing community centers, village gateways, or homestays with local architectural character to create aesthetic appeal and draw visitors.
• Craft Sub-Sector: Training and production of handmade crafts such as woven goods, woodwork, or local textiles. These products are then developed into high-value items and marketed through both offline and online channels.
• Performing Arts Sub-Sector: Developing arts groups in areas such as traditional dance, music, or village theater. Programs typically include training, the creation of performance packages, and regular events to attract visitors.
• Culinary Sub-Sector: Processing village specialty foods into market-ready products such as local snacks or traditional dishes. Programs may also cover improving hygiene standards, packaging design, and marketing strategies.
• Applications Sub-Sector: Building simple applications to support village activities, such as tourism information apps, creative product catalogs, homestay booking systems, or local marketplaces to simplify the marketing of village products.
  
  

Bringing the Creative Village Concept to Life Through Desa Sejahtera Astra and Kampung Berseri Astra

Much like the Creative Village Program, which aims to improve community well-being sustainably, Astra is equally committed to driving village development through its Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) and Kampung Berseri Astra (KBA) programs.

First introduced in 2018, Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA) focuses on entrepreneurship empowerment built around each village's unique potential and signature products.

Kampung Berseri Astra (KBA), meanwhile, is a community program that brings together Astra's four sustainability pillars to create clean, healthy, smart, and productive communities.

Both programs have delivered tangible results, including:

• Mentoring more than 1,515 villages and communities
• Driving the export of village flagship commodities to global markets
• Equipping communities with disaster mitigation knowledge and skills

These programs go far beyond conventional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They represent Astra's genuine contribution to village development, demonstrating that large companies can play a meaningful role in inclusive, sustainable progress.

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Elevate Village Prosperity Through Astra's Flagship Sustainable Programs

That is the full picture of the Creative Village Program and its goal of improving the well-being of village communities. Through this initiative, villages are expected to transform their local potential into economically valuable products and activities.

Astra supports this concept through Desa Sejahtera Astra (DSA), which focuses on economic empowerment grounded in each village's flagship products, and Kampung Berseri Astra (KBA), which builds clean, healthy, smart, and productive communities.

Together, both programs demonstrate real and lasting impact on village communities and stand as a model for achieving sustainable village development.

For more information about Astra's sustainability initiatives and other programs, visit the Astra Sustainability Report.