Participation of the Middle Class of the Local Community in the Village Sustainable Development Goals Program in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the participation of the middle class of local communities in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program of Villages in West Java Province, Indonesia, which aims to integrate sustainable development goals into policies and activities at the village level. Although the program has been running, the participation of citizens, especially the middle class, is still minimal. The research method uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through field research, participatory observations, literary research, and in-depth interviews with middle class members and related stakeholders. The key findings indicate that the middle class plays an active role in physical development and improving local capacity in resource management, with significant support for the sustainability of the SDGs programmes at the village level. The complexity of economic, social, and cultural factors has affected their participation, as well as its implications for achieving the goals of sustainable development. This research contributes to an in-depth understanding of the role of the middle class in the context of village development, with implications for the development of more inclusive and sustainable policies in the future.