BRIN Shifts Rural Focus from Physical Infrastructure to Human Capacity

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Ahead of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day this upcoming August, the National Innovation and Research Agency (BRIN) is shifting the country's rural development paradigm away from physical infrastructure toward a civilization-building model centered on human resource enhancement.

Through its newly introduced Innovation Village concept, the agency aims to implement a knowledge-based development framework across Indonesian regions, relying on an integration of science, technology, social innovation, and community empowerment.

A researcher at BRIN’s Political Research Center, Siti Zuhro, spoke at the BRIN Goes to Village event in Jakarta on Thursday, June 4, 2026. During the event, she argued that the country's ultimate progress depends on grassroots human capacity rather than architectural facades.

"So, what is prioritized is not building physical infrastructure like that, but rather the human resources. Because our big dream for the Republic of Indonesia, with the 81st Independence Day this August, is to build a civilization, not to build physical buildings that look nice while the people are weak," explained Siti, as quoted by Antara.

Through the Innovation Village initiative, BRIN intends to systematically reshape grassroots development by steering away from a heavy reliance on cash handouts and social assistance, focusing instead on fostering local creativity and self-reliance.

To achieve a comprehensive and sustainable transformation, BRIN Head, Arif Satria, revealed that the framework is built upon five strategic pillars, which is a smart and innovative society, economy, governance, living and environment, and heritage.

"Through the Innovation Village program, BRIN wants to ensure that research outcomes are present and provide real benefits to the community," said Arif.

This knowledge-driven approach has gained strong political alignment from the executive branch. Welcoming the initiative, the Villages and Development of Disadvantaged Regions Minister, Yandri Susanto, noted that rural advancement stands as a cornerstone program for President Prabowo Subianto's administration in its push for economic reinforcement and poverty alleviation.

He observed that BRIN's five pillars seamlessly match the ministry's own 12-action village development roadmap. "If this collaboration is what we pursue, it will ensure that the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision remains firmly on track," concluded Yandri Susanto. ***