Bantul Innovation Award 2026 aims to strengthen regional innovation ecosystem
Yogyakarta (ANTARA) - The Bantul Regency Government, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), through the Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), is hosting the Bantul Innovation Award (BINA) 2026 as an effort to strengthen the regional innovation ecosystem.
The Head of Bappeda Bantul, Ari Budi Nugroho, stated in Bantul on Tuesday that BINA 2026 is expected to encourage regional agencies and the people of Bantul to create various innovations that benefit the region. “Strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem will increase the Regional Innovation Index (IID) score of Bantul Regency,” he said.
The event, held at Waroeng Omah Sawah, Sewon District, also serves as a platform to provide appreciation to government, educational, and community elements that have produced various innovations.
Ari noted that Bantul Regency’s IID score in the Innovative Government Award (IGA) increased from 83.64 with 180 innovations in 2025 to 87.51 with 211 innovations in 2026. He added that for the 2027 BINA implementation, there are plans to add new categories for students as part of programme development.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Bantul, Abdul Halim Muslih, stated that innovation is essential, particularly through the use of technology and engineering, which are key to overcoming local development challenges. “The government must be brave enough to take a role in testing technological engineering and regional innovation,” he said.
According to Halim, Bantul Regency has successfully achieved national recognition as one of 17 regencies/cities with the highest Engineering Index in Indonesia, according to the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Institution of Engineers Indonesia (PII). “Despite dynamics and challenges, if successful, the impact will be felt directly by the wider community to improve the welfare and competitiveness of Bantul Regency,” he added.
In the BINA 2026 awards, the first prize in the regional apparatus organisation category was won by the Department of Communication and Informatics through the ‘Surat Bantul’ (SURBAN) innovation. For the district category, the first prize went to Piyungan District through the ‘Bersama Atasi Stunting’ (BERAKTING) innovation.
“The first prize in the Community Health Centre (Puskesmas) category was awarded to Banguntapan I Puskesmas for its innovation in delivering wider health information through digital platforms,” he said.
Furthermore, the village (kalurahan) category was won by Mulyodadi Village through the ‘Aksi Kalurahan untuk Literasi Warga’ (AKSARA) innovation. The education category was won by SDN 1 Padokan for its innovation, ‘Transformasi Layanan Tumbuh Kembang Ramah Anak di SDN 1 Padokan’ (E-LENTERA).
In the community category, the first prize was won by Niken Anggraeni with the innovation ‘Gerakan Mulyodadi Hebat Rajin Kelola Sampah’ (GEMAH RIPAH). Each category selected three winners, ranging from first to third place.