Smart Village Development Efforts Based on Communication Strategy Formulation and Policy Advocacy

Smart village development is not solely about introducing advanced technology to rural areas but also entails transforming these communities to achieve higher levels of well-being and prosperity while making sustainable use of their available resources. Essentially, the use of information and communication technology has the capacity to stimulate creativity and innovation within rural communities, narrowing the gap with their urban counterparts. A village can be deemed “smart” when it employs information technology innovatively to enhance the quality of life, economic efficiency, and competitiveness across sustainability dimensions. The objective of this study is to devise communication and policy advocacy strategies to facilitate the realization of “smart village” concept in Indonesian rural areas. This concept introduced by the government, seeks to empower village administrations and communities by leveraging information technology to effectively manage local resources, thereby enhancing the village's economic prospects and the well-being of its residents.