I GUSTI MADE DARMA , I KETUT MASTIKA , HARI KARYADI , HADI PRAYITNO
DOI: https://doi.org/The study examines the implementation of governance through the Public Value framework in Desa Nusa Agung, Belitang III Subdistrict, Ogan Komering Ulu Timur Regency, Indonesia. The research aims to analyze how legitimacy, operational capacity, and substantive outcomes are generated in a pluralistic rural context where formal participation has weakened while cultural and religious forums remain vibrant. A qualitative case study approach was employed, drawing upon document analysis, field observations, and in-depth interviews with village officials, community leaders, and residents. Data were analyzed using thematic coding supported by triangulation to ensure validity. The findings reveal declining participation in formal planning forums such as Musrenbangdes, largely due to demographic limitations of village officials, restricted access to information, and skepticism toward institutional responsiveness. Conversely, cultural and religious gatherings such as Budowage and Yasinan provide inclusive spaces for dialogue, enhancing legitimacy and reinforcing community trust. Operational capacity is constrained by aging officials with limited digital literacy, yet strengthened through cross-sectoral collaboration and capacity-building initiatives. Substantive value is achieved when policies integrate socio-cultural identity with tangible development outcomes, particularly in infrastructure and social equity. The study concludes that effective governance in rural Indonesia requires hybrid models that harmonize formal and informal mechanisms, regenerate human resources, and embed cultural legitimacy into policy processes. The proposed model contributes to Public Value scholarship by contextualizing its application in rural governance.
