Village Authority Standards: Achieving Subsidiarity & Recognition Principles

The empowerment of a village starts with the clarity of its power. Permendagri Number 44 of 2016 regarding Village Authority is the definitive instrument for implementing the Principles of Recognition (respecting origins) and Subsidiarity (localizing decision-making). Enacted to fulfill the mandates of PP Number 43 of 2014 and its amendments, this regulation establishes a Jurisdictional Governance Framework that clearly distinguishes what a village can manage independently versus what is delegated by higher levels of government.

Defining Village Authority

Village Authority is the legal power possessed by a Village to manage and regulate its own interests. This authority ensures that the village is not merely an administrative branch of the state but a self-governing community entity. To achieve high-resolution Subsidiarity and Recognition Principles, the regulation classifies these powers into four distinct categories:

1. Authority Based on Rights of Origin (Hak Asal Usul): This refers to the traditional and inherent rights that have existed since the village’s formation, such as customary law systems and local social institutions.
2. Village-Scale Local Authority (Kewenangan Lokal): This includes the management of local interests and needs that are best handled at the village level, such as village markets, small-scale irrigation, and local roads.
3. Authority Assigned by Superior Governments: Tasks specifically delegated by the Central Government, Provincial Government, or Regency/City Government.
4. Other Assigned Authorities: Any other specific powers mandated by sectoral laws and regulations that align with village capacity.

Legal Foundation and Objectives

The regulation serves as a technical guideline for implementing the Village Law (UU Desa). By defining these authorities, the government aims to:

• Provide legal certainty regarding the scope of village administration;
• Prevent overlaps between village programs and Regency/City sectoral projects;
• Empower the village to utilize its budget (Dana Desa) according to its actual legal mandates.

Conclusion: The Blueprint for Local Autonomy

In conclusion, Permendagri Number 44 of 2016 is the definitive instrument for Subsidiarity and Recognition Principles and a modern Jurisdictional Governance Framework. It transitions the village from a passive recipient of instructions into a proactive manager of its own destiny. By mastering the scope of their authority, village leaders can ensure that development is culturally relevant, locally efficient, and legally sound.

Visit the Village Regulations page for official access.