development award 2007 - finalist

Ratna Karmila Village Governance Reform Faciltator Local Governance and Infrastructure for Communities in Aceh Project

 

As a Village Governance Reform Facilitator on the Local Governance and Infrastructure for Communities in Aceh (LOGICA) Project, Ratna has pioneered an innovative local government services model.

The 'Single Window Service' is a one-stop-shop that provides many essential local government services. The model promotes transparency while also saving citizens time and money when accessing services.

Ratna designed and trialled the Single Window Service model with her government counterparts. The model proved such a success that it is now provided in more than 20 local government sub-districts across Aceh and the Indonesian National Ministry of Home Affairs is looking into the potential for the model to be extended to other Indonesian provinces. The success of the model is particularly significant given the post-tsunami context in which LOGICA is operating. 

Based within the District Government of Aceh Barat, Ratna is responsible for facilitating reforms across seven local governments. Her ability to develop creative response to tough problems has seen her become a role model for other LOGICA staff, particularly other young women.

She is also pioneering new approaches to village governance reform and supporting the democratic election of village heads throughout Aceh. Both of these initiatives will set new benchmarks for local governance in Acehnese communities.

Ratna has advocated strongly for the involvement of women in the ongoing reconstruction and development activities in Aceh. She has worked closely with the LOGICA gender unit to support several Acehnese women planning to stand as candidates in village head elections.

The Single Window Service model has become a widely recognised trademark of LOGICA and Ratna’s governance reform work is highly valued by senior officials of both the provincial and national government levels. Ratna has developed into a respected Governance Reform Facilitator and invaluable mentor and leader to other young Acehnese women.