Local governments urged to accelerate innovation leaps and collaboration

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Domestic Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) continues to urge local governments to accelerate leaps in innovation and collaboration to improve competitiveness and the quality of public services. This was stated by BSKDN Head Yusharto Huntoyungo during the Evaluation and Strengthening of Regional Innovation towards National Recognition event organised by the Regional Development Planning, Research and Innovation Agency (Bapperida) of Tabalong Regency, in Tabalong Regency, South Kalimantan. “In innovation development efforts, the Tabalong Regency Government needs to involve all elements of the pentahelix, from academics, the business world, the community, to the media, so that the innovations produced are not only solution-oriented but also have broad impacts,” said Yusharto in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. Yusharto emphasised that to achieve innovation leaps, local governments cannot rely solely on creativity, but must be supported by strong collaboration among stakeholders and evidence-based policies. According to him, innovations built on data, research, and best practices will be more targeted, effective, and sustainable. He explained that the evidence-based policy approach ensures that every policy taken has undergone a data analysis and empirical proof process, thereby minimising the risk of failure and increasing public policy accountability. With this approach, innovations are no longer sporadic but directed and integrated into the regional development system. On that occasion, Yusharto also appreciated Tabalong Regency’s achievements in maintaining its status as the most innovative region in recent years. Nevertheless, he reminded that these achievements should serve as a foundation to continuously improve the quality of innovations, not just maintain quantity. “We are confident that in the future, the impact of innovations from Tabalong Regency will be even better, provided that the quality of the innovations produced is truly prioritised,” he said. On the other hand, he also emphasised the importance of strengthening innovation institutions through regulatory support, including the establishment of regional regulations on innovation. Regulations are considered essential to ensure that innovations can run systematically, sustainably, and with legal certainty for implementers in the field. In line with that, Yusharto also encouraged the optimisation of periodic monitoring and evaluation of innovation implementation, as well as strengthening the innovation data base as a foundation for planning and policy-making. The utilisation of technology and data integration also becomes an important factor in supporting an adaptive and responsive innovation ecosystem to community needs. “Without strong monitoring and evaluation, innovations have the potential to be unsustainable. Therefore, strengthening the data base is crucial as a foundation in formulating policies,” he said.