The District of Wonosobo in Central Java has had a poor record on public service delivery, despite passing bylaws on public service standards in 2009. An ombudsman report showed that the district, located in the scenic Dieng Plateau at 1,500 meters above sea level, scored only 44.8 of 100 in providing quality public services, ranking lowest among other districts in Central Java.
The health sector is one of the main development priorities for Wonosobo and the District Health Office is looking at various solutions to implement minimum health care standards in the area.
Muhammad Albar, Wonosobo Vice Regent, stated in August 2021 in a MADANI workshop: “The health sector is an important part of human development.” Albar continued: “Under the local government’s new leadership, we have included health service delivery improvement on our Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD) implementation.” However, due to the historically tumultuous relationship between local government and civil society representatives, citizen participation with regards to government accountability has always been low.
To improve the situation, USAID MADANI partnered with local CSO Lembaga KITA to strengthen their capacity to improve citizens’ participation in overseeing government accountability, promote collaborative governance, and to increase health services delivery at front line providers. Lembaga KITA has a strong track record of advocacy, focusing on gender, women’s and children’s rights, and overall collaboration. For example, they trained Muslimat Pekalongan, a CSO from a neighbouring district, on advocacy, program and financial management, and networking.
With Lembaga KITA’s support, MADANI established the multistakeholder Learning Forum, Forum Madani Wonosobo, in September 2020. The Learning Forum convenes seven CSOs, academics, and journalists to date. They represent the diversity present within the district, including religious community organizations, women, youth, people with disabilities, and thematic and non-governmental organizations.
With reform-minded officials running the local government, there is a general recognition that collaborating with non-governmental stakeholders will help to address Wonosobo’s challenges. In May 2021, Forum Madani and Learning Forum members engaged the Wonosobo.
Forum Madani and Learning Forum members engaged the Wonosobo Local House of Representatives (DPRD) and provided input on policy drafting. Subsequently, the DPRD invited Learning Forum members to represent civil society at the final signing of the completed RPJMD. The head of Wonosobo’s Agency for National Unity and Politics (Kesbangpol), Didiek Wibawanto, stated that citizen participation is the embodiment of modern-day democracy: “it is impossible to involve all citizens, so we work with CSOs as their representatives.”
Forum Madani Wonosobo delivered policy recommendations to the DPRD, which were accepted in July 2021. The recommendations were based on a citizen survey that the Learning Forum conducted in May. As a result, the DPRD agreed to support the Learning Forum’s plan to pilot community-based health service improvements in three community health centers (Puskesmas), as well as agreed to include a regional regulation on public service improvement in the list of draft regulations for 2022.
The Wonosobo Health Office has shown a positive response towards MADANI’s Partner CSOs contributing to policy changes. Heriyono, the Head of the District Health Office, commended civil society’s contribution to the district’s priority programs in strengthening the health sector, such as improving basic facilities at Puskesmas, developing the hospital referral system, and reducing stunting.
In addition, MADANI’s partner Lembaga KITA continues to grow and expand their influence through trust- building and advocacy. They have helped to create opportunities for other CSOs to participate in the public policy-making process. Furthermore, increased local CSO legitimacy among key stakeholders in Wonosobo has resulted in an increased willingness by local governments and legislatures to work with civil society. Lembaga KITA has inspired more partnerships and coalitions, engaging other local actors and CSO networks to contribute to long-lasting social change in the region.