The Legal Consultation and Assistance Centre (PKBH) of the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (FH UGM), in collaboration with the Yogyakarta High Court, assisted in the drafting of the Sambirejo Village Regulation on Community Groups in the Field of Tourism. The assistance was provided through a review presentation held on Monday, 8 September 2025, at the FH UGM Study Centre Room. Acting as the reviewer was FH UGM lecturer Prof. Dr. Tata Wijayanta, S.H., M.Hum. Representatives from the Kejati DIY and the Sambirejo Village Government were present at this event.
This activity aimed to improve the quality of the Sambirejo Village Regulation Draft so that it could be drafted appropriately, in accordance with the principles and higher laws and regulations, and could provide tangible benefits to the community. The assistance through the review of the draft regulation was not one-sided. A lively discussion took place during the review forum. The reviewers even reminded the drafting team to open up the drafting of the village regulation to as much community participation as possible in accordance with the principle of meaningful participation.
Through their presentation, the reviewers provided notes and suggestions, ranging from aspects of format and writing to, most importantly, the content to be regulated. Some of the reviewers' notes included that the title did not need to mention the name of the region as it was already included in the opening and stipulation. The preamble, which is the consideration section, contains a brief description of the main ideas that were taken into consideration and the reasons for the formation of the legislation. This section needs to clearly include the philosophical, sociological, and juridical elements that were the reasons for the drafting of the regulation.
Next is the legal basis in the draft village regulation. It is important to note the validity of laws and regulations that have been revoked or updated. The writing of updated laws and regulations is combined with the original laws and regulations. The reviewer suggests that the legal basis should include Sleman Regency Regulation No. 9 of 2022 concerning Tourism Villages. In the general provisions section, the reviewer emphasises the need for clarity in the use of terms, definitions, and abbreviations. The reviewer suggests adding a definition of ‘Tourism Awareness’ with reference to DIY Governor Regulation 40/2020.
The scope of this draft village regulation covers the organisation of community groups in the field of tourism, guidance and supervision, and funding. It is recommended that the content be expanded to include community participation. Indeed, the community should be the main component in the organisation of tourism. The community has the right to participate in the planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of tourism activities in the village area.
The mentoring activity for drafting the Sambirejo Village Regulation on Tourism Community Groups is also closely aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, by improving the quality of regulations in the tourism sector, this activity supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as community-based tourism can create job opportunities, increase welfare, and drive the local economy. Second, the legal education aspect and active involvement of the community in the drafting process contribute to SDG 4: Quality Education, by providing practical understanding of citizens’ rights and obligations in tourism development. In addition, by emphasizing the principle of meaningful participation, this activity aligns with SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as it promotes inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance at the village level. Equally important, the collaboration between FH UGM, the Yogyakarta High Prosecutor’s Office, and the Sambirejo Village Government reflects the implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which underlines the importance of multi-stakeholder synergy in achieving sustainable development.
Through assistance in the drafting of the Village Regulation on Community Groups in the Field of Tourism, it is hoped that this will bring benefits, namely ensuring that the regulations that are made will have a positive impact on improving the welfare of the community in the area. The community will also have a strong foundation in terms of tourism management. Ensuring that this draft village regulation can be integrated as much as possible and can encourage efforts to develop and promote sustainable tourism that continues to pay attention to the principles of local cultural wisdom, community-based tourism, and inclusiveness.
Author: Hairurrahman (Assistant for Village Regulation on Tourism, Prof. Tata Wijayanta)
