MENINGKATKAN KUALITAS MASYARAKAT MELALUI KEGIATAN LITERASI

Abstract

Literacy is a key element in sustainable community development because it enables individuals to access, interpret, and apply information in ways that improve their quality of life. In Indonesia, the national target for “Excellent Human Resources” places literacy skills at the heart of policy interventions aimed at accelerating inclusive growth (UNESCO, 2024). This community service program document outlines an integrated literacy initiative designed to enhance social, economic, and cultural capital among residents of semi-urban villages in North Sumatra. Using a participatory approach that combines socialization forums, thematic discussions, and interactive lectures, the program promotes reading, digital, financial, and health literacy as mutually reinforcing domains. Its goals are threefold: (1) to strengthen foundational reading habits; (2) to foster critical and creative thinking that translates literacy into livelihood opportunities; and (3) to build a network of local champions who can sustain the literacy ecosystem after the formal intervention ends. Mixed qualitative methods—including focus group discussions, rapid village assessments, and reflective journals—informed the design and iterative refinement of the activity. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in reading interest scores, digital literacy competencies, and community problem-solving indexes, as well as replicable models for other districts. Ultimately, the project contributes to the national goal of producing adaptive, ethical, and competitive citizens who are able to navigate the challenges of Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0 while maintaining local wisdom.