The Role of Village Funds on Village Infrastructure Conditions and the Welfare of Low income Communities in Klungkung Regency, Bali Province, Indonesia

ABSTRACT: The objectives of this study are: 1) to assess the level of readiness of village officials (village apparatus resources) in managing village funds; 2) analyze the intensity of CIE (communication, information, and education) that has been carried out by the government to the village community for the Village Fund Program; 3) analyze the influence of village funds on the condition of village infrastructure and the welfare of lowincome communities; 4) examines the role of infrastructure in mediating the influence of village funds on the welfare of low-income community groups. This research study took place in Klungkung Regency with 259 respondents in all districts, where in each village there were 7 respondents, with details of 3 village officials, 3 community members, and 1 community leader each in 37 villages. In this study two sampling techniques that are classified as nonprobability sampling are used, namely a combination of snow ball sampling and accidental sampling. In addition, purposive sampling will also be used for informants. There are 3 data collection methods that will be used, namely observation, interview, indepth interview. Data analysis techniques used are descriptive statistics and Path Analysis. The results of the data analysis showed that the majority of respondents namely an average of more than 95 percent who stated that village officials were able and ready to manage village funds; 2) CIE conducted by the government to the village community about village funds is quite intensive, although there are still quite a lot, namely an average of about 10 percent which states that the intensity of CIE needs to be increased; 3) Village Funds have a positive effect on village infrastructure, and village funds and village infrastructure have a positive effect on the welfare of low-income people; 4) Village infrastructure partially mediates the influence of village funds on the welfare of low income people.
KEYWORDS: village funds, infrastructure, welfare