Mopoonuwa as a Culturally Embedded Governance Mechanism in Village Fund Management: Evidence from Gorontalo, Indonesia

This study examines how Mopoonuwa – a traditional Gorontalonese philosophy emphasizing mutual cooperation, fairness and collective responsibility – can be applied to enhance the inclusion of ethnic minorities in village fund management in Gorontalo, Indonesia. The study seeks to address the gap between village governments and local communities, which often leads to limited participation and controversy in fund allocation and implementation. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with village officials, ethnic minority representatives and community leaders. Data were analyzed thematically to explore how Mopoonuwa principles influence governance practices and participation dynamics. The findings reveal that the Mopoonuwa approach fosters inclusivity and trust by promoting transparent decision-making, equitable distribution of resources and culturally sensitive collaboration. By integrating these indigenous values into administrative processes, ethnic minorities gain greater voice and involvement in village development programs. This study proposes a Mopoonuwa-based village fund management model that strengthens both governance effectiveness and social harmony. The model can serve as a framework for other multiethnic communities seeking to integrate local wisdom with modern governance principles. This research contributes to the literature on participatory governance and local wisdom by introducing Mopoonuwa as a culturally rooted mechanism for improving inclusivity, accountability and community cohesion in public financial management.