Local Government Innovation: A Lesson from Budget Festival and Exhibition of Batang Regency

Abstract

Innovation is something difficult to be implemented and sustained in many areas, particularly in the area of government or bureaucracy. However, some local government in Indonesia are succeeded on handling and operating innovation with their characteristics. Most of it was driven by local leader, for example in Batang Regency with Budget Festival and Exhibition. The programme was held by local government in order to make people aware about budget of the government. It was initiated in 2012 and then flourishing into its best performance in 2016. There were many activities within the programme, such as seminars, discussions, and meet with other leader for learning from the best practices, musical performance and puppet show, instead of exhibition about the budget. There were improvements of the programme as well as response and pparticipation from many parties. It also brought positive impact towards local governance with more transparency, accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency. Moreover, Batang Regency became one of centre excellent institution for budget learning in the national level. Many local government and national institution were come to study and learn about managing budget and involving public to the budget process. The innovation of budget festival and exhibition is a long and difficult process hosted by Batang Regent, Yoyok Riyo Sudibyo, backed by his officials and local civil society organization. This cooperative works are important to be discussed along with the process in order to identify that innovative program is not always easy. However, once it works, it will bring big impact and benefits for the government as well as the people. Keywords: innovation, budget, local government