Collaborative Governance in the Zakat Community Development Program as a Pathway to Community Empowerment by BAZNAS

This study aims to analyze the implementation of Zakat Community Development (ZCD) as a collaborative model for community economic empowerment in East Java. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed, with research conducted in five pilot project areas under the jurisdiction of BAZNAS East Java: Sidoarjo, Tuban, Lamongan, Mojokerto, and Pasuruan. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and program documentation, then analyzed interactively while ensuring data credibility through source and technique triangulation. The findings reveal that collaboration among BAZNAS, local governments, and the private sector in managing the ZCD program has strengthened mustahik economic capacity through skill training, micro-enterprise development, and financial literacy improvement. The main supporting factors include inter-actor synergy, regulatory support, and digital-based governance systems that enhance transparency and accountability. However, the study also identified several challenges, such as limited human resources, suboptimal cross-sector coordination, and varying levels of community participation. The study implies that adopting a collaborative governance approach in zakat management is essential to ensure that community-based empowerment programs are sustainable and make a tangible contribution to improving social welfare.