Community Empowerment Through the Use of Information Technology and Assistance in Managing the Barusari Village Website in Pasirwangi Subdistrict, Garut

Abstract

Digital transformation at the village level requires not only access to digital technology but also the ability of community members to use it safely, ethically, and productively, together with the capacity of village institutions to manage public information. This community service programme aimed to strengthen digital literacy among the community and provide assistance in managing the Barusari Village website in Pasirwangi District, Garut Regency. The programme was conducted from 24 July to 22 August 2025, following preliminary field observations on 18–19 July 2025, using a participatory community empowerment approach. The activities included needs assessment, stakeholder coordination, digital literacy training, interactive discussions, practical assistance, and village website management support. The training covered digital information literacy, responsible social media use, digital ethics, cybersecurity, personal data protection, and the productive use of digital technology for local economic activities. Qualitative evidence was obtained from field observations, attendance records, participant interactions, activity documentation, and reflective notes. The Technology cluster targeted 300 participants, of whom 187 participated in the information technology seminar and digital literacy activities, representing 62.33% of the target. Five village officials were involved in the website management assistance. Participant interactions indicated that the training topics were relevant to their everyday use of digital technology, while the website assistance provided initial support for managing existing website content and public information. However, no pre-test or post-test measurements, website analytics, or post-programme monitoring were conducted. Therefore, the findings are limited to programme outputs, participant engagement, and initial qualitative outcomes rather than evidence of quantitative improvements in digital literacy or long-term website performance. The programme highlights the importance of continued practical training, clear website management responsibilities, regular content management, and follow-up evaluation to support sustainable village digital information management.