THE ROLE OF EXTENSION AND LOCAL CHAMPIONS IN EMPOWERING COASTAL COMMUNITIES FOR ACHIEVING SDGS
This study aims to analyse the role of local champions and extension in empowering coastal communities for achieving SDGs. This research method uses the Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal (PRCA) technique by placing researchers living with the community during the follow-up study period to empower coastal communities. The research location is in Tambakasari and Sedari Village, Karawang Regency, West Java. The results show that local figures who act as local champions contribute significantly to extension coastal community for empowering the development of coastal community resources, especially in building internal and external community capital in the seaweed business. The sustainability of the seaweed business is conducive, apart from strengthening social capital, as well as strengthening human capital, technological capital, financial capital, and physical capital. Participatory extension for the empowerment of coastal communities requires strengthening community leaders to become local champions in the management of local community capital to SDGs achievement. The participatory extension paradigm is effective in empowering the community if it is successful in developing local champions who are able to manage business networks and community capital in empowering coastal communities.
community empowerment, extension role, local champion, SDGs