Four Main Dimensions of Assessment for the 2026 Outstanding Regional Government Appreciation

In a bid to drive sustainable improvements in regional government performance, the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has established a strategic policy of awarding appreciation for regional government performance as an instrument to strengthen performance- and results-based local governance in 2026. This was stated recently by the Head of the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) at Kemendagri, Yusharto Huntoyungo. “This policy serves as both a form of recognition and a comprehensive evaluation mechanism to ensure that every policy and programme implemented by regional governments truly delivers tangible benefits to society,” Yusharto said. The assessment for the 2026 Outstanding Regional Government Appreciation is based on four main dimensions. First, the dimension of reducing unemployment rates, coordinated by the Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN). The Chair of the Measurement Team for the Unemployment Reduction Dimension, who is also the Head of the Centre for Human Resource Development Policy Strategy, Government Digitalisation, and Domestic Government Innovation at BSKDN, David Yama, stated that the indicators used in the assessment include policy aspects at 40 per cent, performance at 50 per cent, and regional innovation at 10 per cent. Second, the dimension of poverty alleviation and stunting reduction, coordinated by the Directorate General of Regional Development at Kemendagri. The indicators used include prevention and acceleration of stunting reduction (PPPS) at 45 per cent and poverty alleviation at 55 per cent. Third, the dimension of inflation control, with assessment coordinated by the Inspectorate General (Itjen) of Kemendagri. The Secretary of Itjen, Bachril Bakri, said that the indicators are differentiated between provincial and regency/city levels. For provinces, the assessment considers inflation rates at 65 per cent weight, APBD support for inflation control at 20 per cent, and regional reporting compliance at 15 per cent. For regencies/cities, it includes inflation rates at 65 per cent, APBD support at 15 per cent, reporting compliance at 10 per cent, and concrete efforts at 10 per cent. Fourth, the dimension of Creative Financing/Entrepreneurial Government, coordinated by the Directorate General of Regional Financial Development. The assessment period covers 2023-2026, with indicators including local tax and levy innovations at 20 per cent, BUMD management at 20 per cent, corporate social responsibility at 10 per cent, regional asset management at 20 per cent, and regional public service agency management at 10 per cent. There is also a variable for regional government cooperation with businesses at 15 per cent, as well as SIPD, KKPD, ETPD, SPBE, and LKPD audit opinions at 5 per cent. To ensure a fair, proportional process that considers regional characteristics, the implementation is divided into six areas: Sumatra, Java-Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku-Nusa Tenggara, and Papua. “We hope that through this approach, we not only compare regional performance generally but also provide more contextual assessment space according to the challenges and potentials in each region,” Yusharto said. He also expressed appreciation to all participating regional governments. “This participation demonstrates strong commitment to improving regional performance,” Yusharto stated. According to him, the activity is not about determining the best, but about building a shared learning ecosystem among regions.