Strengthening the Capacity of Policy Analysts in Nusa Tenggara Barat: A Workshop on Leveraging Data to Advocate for Better Policies on Basic Services

The Australia-Indonesia Partnership program SKALA, in collaboration with the Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) provincial government, hosted a dynamic two-day workshop to enhance the policy advocacy skills of officials from government, universities, as well as non-governmental organizations. The workshop, opened by Dr. Yogi Suwarno, Head of the Policy Analyst Development Centre, the National Institute of Public Administration (LAN) was designed to strengthen the capacity of policy analysts in crafting effective policy briefs. In particular, the sessions equipped participants with critical skills in data-driven analysis and effective communication to advocate for more inclusive basic services in NTB.

Expert facilitators for the sessions included Dr. Hendarman (Principal Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology), Dr. Iskhak Fatonie from SKALA, Prof. Dr. Ratri Istania from STIA LAN, and Desi Viciana, SKALA. Lutfi Firmansyah from the Directorate General of Regional Development at the Ministry of Home Affairs also served as a speaker.

Participants submitted brief concept notes or abstracts ahead of the selection process. These helped to ensure that the policy briefs address regional issues and create opportunities for further advocacy with policymakers. Of 63 applicants, 30 were selected to participate. Participants valued the structured worksheets, group discussions and dedicated exercises, which facilitated practical and hands-on learning. As a result of the workshop, 29 participants submitted initial drafts of their policy briefs, although some faced challenges in translating their learning into practice. The 15 best policy briefs, selected based on relevance to SKALA’s thematic focus areas (Data & Analytics, GEDSI, Minimum Service Standards and Public Financial Management) have been published on the LAN website and social media and authors will receive a certificate from NTB provincial government.

The authors highlighted several key issues in basic service delivery in NTB. First, there is a shortage of skilled personnel in ICT and geospatial data handling, leading to inefficient use of village data and outdated financial profiles. Second, GEDSI initiatives suffer from inadequate resourcing, poor coordination, limited funding, and cultural barriers that marginalize vulnerable groups. Third, insufficient training for village officials and lack of local revenue generation hinder effective public financial management. Fourth, the healthcare sector is plagued by workforce quality issues, lack of collaboration, and inadequate training opportunities, while disaster management struggles with insufficient community training and involvement. Additionally, high rates of child marriage and fragmented education efforts highlight the need for more specific regulatory frameworks to support regional innovation and effective planning.

Post-workshop feedback highlighted a significant boost in confidence among participants, with 27 expressing a strong belief in their ability to draft policy briefs for their institutions. The initiative’s success was further cemented through ongoing capacity building (sustained mentoring, follow-up activities, and dedicated advocacy sessions). The success of the SKALA and NTB provincial government’s workshop highlights the transformative power of targeted training and collaboration in policy advocacy. By equipping local policy analysts and advocacy groups with essential skills and knowledge, the workshop has laid a foundation for sustainable and inclusive policymaking.