Pemberdayaan Kelompok Informasi Masyarakat = Studi kasus Kecamatan Turi dan Kecamatan Gamping, Kabupaten Sleman

Abstract This study aims to describe the process and implementation of empowerment program that have been done by KIM to increase information access to improve the community welfare, identify the most influential program and obstacles faced in this implementation. The objects of this study are Kelompok lnformasi Masyarakat (KIM) in Slemanone case in Turi which represents the developed KIM, and the other case in Gamping which represents the developing KIM. The purpose of the empowerment of KIM is how the empowerment runs well through the development process to improve the importance of information awareness, increase information access and ihfonnation empowerment through the group. From the data analysis, the community empowerment process is done through several stages (1) awareness (2) capacity (3) support (4) performing the action and implementation(5) evaluation. Meanwhile, the programs done by KIM cover 1) increasing information access media, 2) socialization, 3) participation in government activities, 4) Opening the network to the institutions I agencies I allied organisations 5) trainings, 6) participating in exhibition, 7) gaining the capital 8) Conducting assistance, 9) Following the comparative study, JO) Conducting formal meeting with the legislative commission, and, 11) media report. Those activities, indeed, can give awareness to the community that information can be useful to reduce uncertainty and can be used to make the best decision immediately. The community becomes more creative in running their business activities that can be able to increase their welfare. The developed KIM has an easy access to information from various sources, has a capability to access information, discuss, and implements in a variety of business activities so that it can improve the community welfare, has cooperation network with related ins titutions, has a wider business activities, has more implementation programs, and has an ability to solve their own problems. Keywords: Commun ity empowerment, Kelompok Informasi Masyarakat (KIM), information access, community welfare