Award for Outstanding Regional Governments 2026 to Be Divided into Three Batches
The 2026 Outstanding Regional Government Appreciation programme is planned to be conducted in three batches. The first batch, running from February to May 2026, features four main dimensions for evaluation: the Unemployment Rate Reduction category, Poverty Alleviation and Stunting Reduction, Inflation Control, and Creative Financing/Entrepreneurial Government.
“For the subsequent batches, there will be other indicators adjusted to the government programmes implemented in the regions,” said Yusharto Huntoyungo, Head of the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency at the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), on Wednesday, 29 April 2026. These could include assessments on digitalisation, democratisation, utilisation of information technology, and others.
Yusharto also hopes that local governments will implement programmes effectively. In the evaluation for the 2026 Outstanding Regional Government Appreciation, it is expected that there will be no manipulations; local governments should work based on their local conditions.
“Mr Minister of Home Affairs always advises that we should not only report the good regions. But also inform him about the underperforming regions, so that appropriate interventions can be found to assist them,” said Yusharto.
The 2026 Outstanding Regional Government Appreciation is held, according to Yusharto, to support or enhance the performance of local governments. “So far, Kemendagri has only provided directives. It tends to use the stick rather than the carrot. Now, we will use this carrot to improve performance,” he stated.
A total of Rp320 billion will be provided by Kemendagri to 144 winning local governments in this event. Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian has budgeted Rp1 trillion for the three batches from Kemendagri’s allocation for well-performing local governments. “We dedicate it to the regions in the form of fiscal incentives,” he said.
Tito is aware that his decision will likely spark questions, especially internally. Why release the budget to the regions? However, his argument is strong: if regions are encouraged with real incentives, the impact will be more directly felt by the public. Through this award, regional heads not only gain performance legitimacy but also additional resources that can expand their programmes.
Meanwhile, in its implementation, this competition will not be held uniformly. Comparing regions with different characteristics is often seen as unfair. Therefore, Kemendagri opts for a regional approach. The event is divided into several waves, covering Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java-Bali, Sulawesi, Maluku-Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.
It is hoped that regions receiving the award will be more motivated in their performance, while those yet to receive appreciation will strive to become winners in other evaluation indicators in subsequent batches.