Community Participation in Strengthening an Independent Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) in Sekip Village, Deli Serdang Regency, Indonesia

Abstract

This study analyses the strategic position and development direction of the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMDes) Al Barokah Sekip in supporting village self-reliance through business strengthening based on local potential. The study employs a qualitative descriptive case-study design complemented by descriptive quantitative survey data. Primary data were collected through 4 semi-structured in-depth interviews with BUMDes managers, village officials, BPD members, and community representatives; several field observation sessions; and a review of institutional and financial documents (2022–2024). Quantitative perceptions were obtained from 20 village residents using a Likert-scale questionnaire to describe participation patterns and perceived unit performance. Strategic diagnosis used SWOT operationalised into IFAS and EFAS matrices across three business units: Boom Dash Pasar Modal Almaroka Skip (capital market unit), Boom Dash Pertanian Terpadu (Agrodes), and Boom Dash Perdagangan dan Layanan SkipMark (Sekip Mart). Findings indicate that the BUMDes remains in a pioneering stage: institutional foundations exist, yet managerial capacity, transparency routines, and community participation in planning and oversight remain limited. Agrodes and Sekip Mart show the strongest strategic fit with the local economic base and daily household demand, while the capital market unit is more appropriate as a structured financial literacy platform than as a main revenue engine. Recommended strategies include prioritising real-sector consolidation, integrating agriculture–trade value chains (Agrodes–Sekip Mart), strengthening SOPs and financial reporting, expanding inclusive deliberation forums, and gradually redesigning capital-market participation into simple, low-risk micro-investment learning packages. The study highlights how SWOT–IFAS–EFAS, when combined with participation analysis, can guide BUMDes toward accountable governance and sustainable village economic development.