Red and White Village Cooperatives Promote Transparent and Professional Governance to Strengthen Community-Based Rural Economy
Jakarta – The Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes Merah Putih) program continues to be promoted as an important instrument to strengthen rural community economies while building transparent and professional cooperative governance. The presence of village cooperatives is expected not only to function as economic institutions but also as platforms for strengthening social solidarity and community participation in local economic development.
A social observer from Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh, Firdaus Mirza, stated that cooperatives have a strategic role in developing the social potential of rural communities into productive economic strength.
“Cooperatives can serve as institutional instruments that facilitate these social values so they can develop into productive economic activities. In this way, the social potential that communities have long possessed can be directed toward improving collective welfare,” he said.
According to Firdaus, the success of village cooperatives is not determined solely by government policies but is also strongly influenced by the strength of social capital that has developed within the community. Values such as trust, solidarity, and active participation serve as essential foundations for maintaining the sustainability of cooperatives.
“The success of village cooperatives does not depend only on government policies but is also greatly influenced by the strength of social capital within rural communities. Elements such as trust, involvement, active participation, and the community’s sense of ownership toward the cooperative are important factors in ensuring the sustainability of the institution,” he explained.
He added that transparent and accountable cooperative governance is also a crucial factor in maintaining members’ trust. Transparency in financial management and decision-making must be a core principle to ensure that cooperatives grow in a healthy and sustainable manner.
“Transparency and accountability in cooperative management are important aspects in maintaining members’ trust. Oversight should not only come from the government but also involve the active participation of cooperative members through social control mechanisms within the community,” he said.
Furthermore, Firdaus emphasized that cooperatives do not merely function as profit-oriented economic institutions. They also serve as social spaces that strengthen relationships among members and foster a shared sense of ownership over village economic activities.
“Cooperatives function not only as economic institutions but also as spaces that strengthen solidarity and a shared sense of ownership among members,” he stated.
According to him, the success of the Red and White Village Cooperatives cannot be measured solely by financial aspects but also by the social impact they generate for rural communities.
“The success of Kopdes Merah Putih can be seen through several indicators, not only from the financial side but also from social aspects such as increased member income, high community participation in cooperative activities, growing public trust in cooperative institutions, and the development of economic activities based on local potential and wisdom in each region,” he explained.
With transparent and professional governance supported by active community participation, Kopdes Merah Putih is expected to become a driving force for rural economic development while strengthening community independence in sustainably managing local economic potential.
