Co-production in Community Empowerment through the Kampung Lali Gadget Social Innovation

Abstract

Children’s increasing use of digital devices has encouraged community-based social innovations that provide alternative spaces for learning and play. This study examines the mechanism of co-production in community empowerment through Kampung Lali Gadget in Pagerngumbuk Village, Sidoarjo Regency. A qualitative case-study design was employed. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and direct observation involving the founder/manager, activity facilitators, a neighborhood leader, residents, and parents, and were analyzed using Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña’s interactive model. The findings show that co-production operates as a cycle linking joint planning, complementary role allocation, participatory decision-making, and learning-oriented evaluation. The village government provides policy support; managers and volunteers design and deliver activities; parents and residents contribute legitimacy, local resources, and feedback; while universities, media, nongovernmental organizations, and private actors extend program capacity and networks. However, opportunities to express ideas do not by themselves demonstrate an equal distribution of authority. Program sustainability depends on converting cross-actor contributions into organizational learning, volunteer regeneration, and adaptive programming. Co-production generates public value when participation is accompanied by role complementarity, meaningful influence over decisions, and repeated learning mechanisms.