The Reading Village as a space of participatory Communication: empowering communities in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Despite widespread access to education, low reading interest in Indonesia calls for community-based literacy innovation. The Reading Village in Yogyakarta represents one such initiative established through participatory communication to strengthen literacy culture and empower communities. This study employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis and were analysed thematically. The findings suggest that the Reading Village functions as a shared literacy space, with the government acting as a facilitator rather than a dominant actor. Literacy practices extend beyond reading activities to include applied literacy that supports life skills and local economic activities while contributing to critical awareness and social solidarity. However, sustaining participation remains a challenge. Overall, the findings suggest that the Reading Village represents a model of Participatory Literacy Empowerment that positions literacy as a cultural practice and a potential means of community empowerment.