Economic Empowerment in Cooperative Development of Pesantren Community
Adhi Iman Sulaiman

Faculty of Social and Political Science, University of Jenderal Soedirman

Abstract

The study aims to analyze of economic empowerment in cooperative of Pesantren Community. The study used qualitative research methods of Participatory Action Research (PAR). Data was collected through interviews, documentation, observation, and Focus Group Discussion. Informants have been purposive selected i.e. 30 people from the entrepreneurship group and cooperatives in community and Islamic boarding school of Al Muaddib Pasuruhan Village, Binangun District, and Cilacap Regency. Data were analyzed through the following stages triangulation of methods, sources and disciplines, looking at the same diversity and difference and investigation directly from and to the local community. The results showed that (1) Pesantren and community need mediation of trauma and disharmony through community-based economic activities of village resources potential, namely farming and livestock groups, business groups and cooperatives. (2) The economic empowerment should be strengthened and developed to perform a comprehensive economic empowerment program ranging from the identification of the problem, the potential of human resources, natural resources and the economy of rural communities up to the analysis solution of cooperative educational programs, assistance and partnerships. (3) The implementation of economic empowerment model should be comprehensive and sustainable, including extension, training, mentoring and partnerships. The research implication is that empowerment programs can be a medium for harmonization, eliminating traumatic and negative stigma against society and pesantren which are considered radical.

Keywords: boarding school, cooperative, economic empowerment, educational program, partnerships

Topic: Human Wellbeing in Islam