Gerbang Baru, Semangat Baru: Revitalisasi Gapura Dusun Jurang Jero

Abstract

Community social infrastructure often receives limited attention, leading to deterioration and loss of its symbolic function as a marker of collective identity. This condition was observed in Jurang Jero Hamlet, Dukuh Jurang Jero, Badak Village, Belik Subdistrict, where the main entrance gate was damaged and poorly maintained. This community service program aimed to revitalize the gate as an effort to strengthen local identity, foster community participation, and revive the spirit of mutual cooperation. The activity was carried out on August 17, 2023, involving six core participants, community leaders, and local residents. The program adopted a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach combined with Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), enabling active involvement of residents in planning, implementation, and evaluation. The stages consisted of problem identification, community meetings, collective gate revitalization, and evaluation through observation, documentation, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The results show that the gate was successfully reconstructed to be more solid and aesthetic, residents’ technical skills improved, and collective awareness emerged to sustain maintenance. Critical reflection highlighted that financial limitations were overcome by optimizing local assets and creativity. This program demonstrates a significant contribution to community empowerment, enhances social cohesion, and has the potential to be replicated in other villages with similar challenges.