Is It True That CSR Programs Can Empower Local Communities: A Lesson from the People of Gag Raja Ampat Island Indonesia

Self-reliance as an expected outcome of community empowerment can reduce the level of vulnerability and dependence of the community on assistance in the long term. As a form of its social responsibility, the company strives to create sustainable independence in the surrounding community through community empowerment activities. This research will illustrate the independence that occurs in the community on Gag Island through CSR programs implemented by the company. Independence is seen in the implementation of CSR programs. The research method used was a descriptive research with a qualitative approach by involving local communities on Gag Island, Raja Ampat Regency, and Southwest Papua Province as the parties involved. The results showed that the community's activeness, consistency, determination, and trust indicate independence in implementing empowerment programs. In addition, the provision of knowledge, capacity building and community trust, and strengthening community participation based on integrity, consistency, loyalty, and openness, as well as collaboration with the merger of interests between the company itself and the stakeholders involved, are essential aspects in implementing CSR to create independence. However, this independence needs to be maintained and expanded properly and evenly so that CSR programs by the company can impact and benefit the community, not only for the people of Gag Island but also for those living on the surrounding islands.