West Papua Allocates Rp194 Billion in Village Funds for 'Red and White' Cooperatives

The West Papua Provincial Government projects that approximately Rp194.1 billion of the total 2026 Village Fund allocation of Rp334.5 billion will be directed to support the operations of the ‘Red and White’ Village Cooperatives, a national priority programme. Head of the West Papua Community and Village Empowerment Agency (DPMK), Legius Wanimbo, stated in Manokwari on Monday that the allocation follows central government policy to encourage the optimisation of the cooperative’s development. “Around 58.03 percent of the 2026 Village Fund is directed to support the establishment and strengthening of the Red and White Village Cooperatives,” Legius said. According to him, the policy is part of the central government’s strategy to strengthen the economic foundations of villages through professionally and sustainably managed cooperative-based enterprises. The funds can be used for various needs, including the formation and institutional strengthening of cooperatives, provision of business capital, procurement of facilities and infrastructure, and the construction of outlets or warehouses. “The funds also include the development of village logistics services, strengthening food security, and marketing superior village products,” Legius added. He further explained that the remaining approximately Rp140.4 billion from the 2026 Village Fund allocation for seven districts in West Papua can still be utilised to support other priority programmes according to applicable regulations and the needs of each village. He explained that the amount of Village Fund allocation received by each village is determined based on several indicators set by the government, including population size, poverty level, area size, level of geographical difficulty, and village government performance. “The Village Fund allocation for each village in West Papua is not the same, because it is adjusted according to the government’s indicators,” Legius clarified. He stressed that village governments need to prepare various stages so that the implementation of the Red and White Village Cooperative programme runs effectively and accountably, including through the holding of special village meetings. Furthermore, the transparent appointment of cooperative administrators, adjustment of budget allocations in the Village Budget, and the preparation of reporting and accountability mechanisms for the use of Village Funds in accordance with regulations are required. “Village governments must also ensure that the cooperatives formed can be managed professionally, so that they provide sustainable economic benefits for the village community,” Legius stated. He expressed hope that the optimisation of Village Funds through the strengthening of the Red and White Village Cooperatives would become an important instrument to increase village economic productivity, expand market access for local products, and simultaneously strengthen food security in the West Papua region.