Bela Beli Kulon Progo: the Role of Regent Leadership in Poverty Reduction at Kulon Progo District

This research discusses Hasto Wardoyo' role as a regent in tackling poverty in Kulon Progo, which implemented poverty alleviation policies based on local wisdom, utilizing social potential through the Bela Beli Kulon Progo program, and how it significantly reduced poverty in Kulon Progo in 2013.The theory used is the Leadership Role Theory by Henry Mintzberg, and the approach used was the post positivist approach. By using in-depth interviews and textual study, the researchers found that Hasto Wardoyo, the Regent of Kulon Progo, began his term in the office by introducing the 'Bela & Beli Kulon Progo (Defend & Buy Kulon Progo) program. It is a people-oriented economic program that is based on Kulon Progo's local wisdom and local genius values. This program was meant to improve Kulon Progo's economy. The various policies included in the program have successfully reduced the poverty rate from 22.54 percent in 2013 to 16.74 percent in 2014. Hasto Wardoyo's leadership showed success in reducing the poverty rate in 2013 and in introducing innovative poverty alleviation policy that is pro-poor and pro-job.