Policy Implementation of the Socio-Economic Empowerment Program (PPSE) in Supporting Social Assistance Graduation

Abstract

The Social-Economic Empowerment Program (Program Pemberdayaan Sosial Ekonomi / PPSE) is an empowerment-based program designed to support the graduation and economic independence of Beneficiary Families (Keluarga Penerima Manfaat / KPM). Program implementation at the local level constitutes an important factor in determining program success, particularly in relation to social assistance, coordination among implementers, and the readiness of beneficiaries. This study aims to analyze the implementation of the Socio-Economic Empowerment Program (PPSE) in supporting beneficiaries’ graduation from social assistance and promoting their economic self-reliance in Sleman Regency. The study employed a qualitative approach with a case study design through in-depth interviews and documentation studies involving program implementers and beneficiaries. The analysis adopted a policy implementation perspective emphasizing the interaction between policy content and implementation context in program execution. The findings indicate that PPSE implementation in Sleman Regency has generally been effective through business assistance, social facilitation, and intergovernmental coordination across administrative levels. Social facilitators play an important role in supporting business sustainability, strengthening beneficiary motivation, and facilitating business development. In addition, coordination among the central, provincial, and district governments has contributed to the implementation of the program at the local level. This study contributes to the policy implementation literature by highlighting how local implementation capacity and intergovernmental coordination shape the effectiveness of graduation-oriented empowerment programs. This study recommends strengthening the empowerment-oriented mindset approach through the involvement of social counselors, community leaders, and graduated KPM beneficiaries as motivators in supporting beneficiaries’ mental readiness and economic independence.