Journal of Social Transformation and Community Engagement

Empowering Rural Communities through Household Garden Utilization: An Asset-Based Approach to Butterfly Pea Cultivation

Muhammad Kambali — 2026-08-15

This community empowerment program aimed to strengthen household garden utilization through butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) cultivation in Sumberame Village, Gresik, Indonesia. The program employed the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach through five stages: Define, Discovery, Dream, Design, and Deliver. The participants were members of the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) community. Activities included community assessment, cultivation education, butterfly pea tea preparation demonstrations, and distribution of seedlings and planting media. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The results indicated increased utilization of previously underused household garden spaces, greater awareness of environmental management, and improved community knowledge regarding butterfly pea cultivation, maintenance, drying, and processing. Participants also gained practical experience in utilizing locally available resources for household purposes. The program demonstrates that an ABCD-based approach can transform household gardens into productive community assets while strengthening knowledge, environmental awareness, and opportunities for sustainable household resource utilization. Sustainability requires continued community participation, mentoring, and monitoring.

Strengthening MSME Business Legality through Participatory NIB Registration Assistance: A Case Study of Zalalicious Dimsum

Dita Nur Amaliatul Chusniah — 2026-08-15

Business legality is an important foundation for strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). However, limited legal literacy and perceptions that business licensing is complicated remain barriers to MSME formalization. This community service program aimed to increase the understanding of business legality and assist Zalalicious Dimsum in obtaining a Business Identification Number (NIB) through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system. The program employed a participatory approach based on Participatory Action Research (PAR), implemented through four stages: observation, planning, action, and reflection. Data were collected through direct observation, semi-structured interviews, documentation, and relevant literature. The results showed that the business owner initially had limited knowledge of NIB and perceived the registration process as complicated. Through educational and hands-on assistance, the owner successfully completed the OSS registration process and obtained an NIB. The program also identified opportunities for further business development through halal certification, digital promotion, and improved business management. The findings demonstrate that participatory mentoring can facilitate MSME formalization while strengthening business credibility and supporting sustainable development.

Empowering Youth through Peer-Based Drug Prevention: A Participatory Action Research in Pandanan Village

Muhammad Arifudin — 2026-08-15

Adolescent drug abuse remains a significant public health and community concern, particularly because peer relationships can influence young people's attitudes and risk-taking behaviors. This study aimed to examine the implementation of a peer-based drug prevention program for adolescents in Pandanan Village, Gresik, Indonesia. A Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was employed through four stages: planning, implementation, monitoring, and reflection. The program involved KKN students, village authorities, Karang Taruna, the Komunitas Pemuda Anti Narkoba (KOPAN), and local adolescents. Data were obtained through observation, participant interaction, discussions, and reflection during the intervention. The findings indicate that the program encouraged active adolescent participation and provided opportunities to strengthen understanding of drug types, potential health and social consequences, negative peer influence, prevention strategies, and rehabilitation. The involvement of KOPAN created a peer-oriented communication environment that made prevention messages more accessible and relevant to adolescents. However, the absence of standardized pre-test, post-test, and longitudinal evaluation limits conclusions regarding long-term behavioral change. The program demonstrates the potential of positive peer influence as a foundation for sustainable, community-based adolescent drug prevention.

Empowering Islamic Religious Education Teachers through Generative AI for Differentiated Learning: An Asset-Based Community Development Approach

Moh Solehuddin — 2026-08-16

This community empowerment program aimed to strengthen PAI teachers’ capacity to implement differentiated learning through Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) using an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. The program involved 36 PAI teachers from 12 senior high schools in Surabaya and was implemented over six months using a modified 5-D empowerment cycle: discovery, dream, design, delivery, and sustainability. Data were collected through pre-tests, post-tests, teaching-module assessments, satisfaction questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using Normalized Gain (N-Gain), while qualitative data were examined thematically. The findings demonstrated substantial improvement in teacher competence, with the mean score increasing from 42.15 to 84.50 and an overall N-Gain of 0.73, categorized as high. Teachers also produced differentiated AI-assisted teaching modules with an average quality score of 87.6%. Partner satisfaction reached 92.4%, indicating very high acceptance. Qualitative findings revealed increased teacher confidence, stronger digital religious-content verification, and enhanced peer collaboration. The program demonstrates that ABCD can support sustainable, ethical, and teacher-centered GenAI integration in Islamic Religious Education.

Sakinah Circle: An Asset-Based Community Engagement Model for Strengthening Muslim Women’s Spiritual Resilience

Duwi Habsari — 2026-08-16

Digital social media increasingly exposes women to selective representations of other people's achievements, lifestyles, appearance, and family conditions, potentially intensifying social comparison and weakening self-evaluation. This community engagement program aimed to strengthen spiritual resilience among women in a Qur'anic study community at Masjid Pusaka, Siman, Ponorogo, Indonesia, by integrating Islamic values with digital self-awareness practices. The program employed an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach through Discovery, Dream, Design, Delivery, and Sustainability stages. The Sakinah Circle integrated five reflective practices addressing comparison triggers, gratitude, qana'ah, rida, inner dialogue, peer listening, and digital self-regulation. Data were obtained through participant reflections, observations, group discussions, facilitator notes, and pre-post evaluation instruments. The findings indicated increased awareness of social-comparison triggers, more practical understanding of qana'ah and rida, stronger peer listening practices, and greater awareness of digital boundaries. The program demonstrates that existing religious and social assets can be transformed into a sustainable community-based model of reflective spiritual resilience.