Strengthening Human Resource Capacity as the Foundation for Sustainable Community Service

Abstract

Community service is one of the implementations of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, which aims to improve the quality of life of the community through various empowerment programs. However, many community service programs still face sustainability issues because they are more oriented toward short-term assistance rather than systematic community capacity building. This article aims to develop a conceptual framework regarding human resource (HR) capacity building as the foundation for the sustainability of community service programs. The research employs a library research approach with a qualitative descriptive design, involving a review of various scientific articles, books, reports from international institutions, and relevant research findings on capacity building, community empowerment, collaborative governance, and sustainable community development. Data analysis was conducted using content analysis through a process of identifying, classifying, synthesizing, and interpreting various concepts and research findings. The results of the study indicate that the sustainability of community service is shaped by five interrelated main dimensions: competence, self-reliance, local leadership, community participation, and systemic sustainability. These five dimensions form a system that enables communities to manage resources, strengthen institutions, build collaborations, and maintain the sustainability of programs independently after the mentoring period ends. This article proposes the Integrated Sustainable Human Resource Capacity Building Model as a conceptual framework that integrates these five dimensions into a comprehensive human resource capacity-building model. This model is expected to serve as a reference for universities, the government, and stakeholders in designing community service programs that are more participatory, adaptive, and sustainable.