MENINGKATKAN LITERASI BUDAYA DAN KEWARGANEGARAAN DALAM UPAYA MENUMBUHKAN RASA NASIONALISME PEMUDA

Abstract

Love for the homeland is a fundamental pillar in shaping a sovereign and culturally rooted national character. However, in the current era of globalization and the widespread influx of foreign cultures, Indonesian youth are increasingly experiencing an identity crisis and a decline in nationalism. Cultural and civic literacy are two essential components to address this issue, as they strengthen awareness of cultural heritage and foster understanding of civic duties and rights. This community service program aims to enhance cultural and civic literacy among students of SMK PGRI 4 as a strategic effort to foster national pride and patriotism. The method used was a participatory approach involving interactive workshops, group discussions, simulations, and student-led digital projects. The program was conducted in three stages: preparation, implementation, and evaluation, with 50 eleventh-grade students as the main participants. The results showed a significant improvement in students’ understanding and appreciation of local culture, as well as increased participation in civic-related activities. This improvement was reflected in a 35% average increase in post-test scores and the students’ high enthusiasm in completing their digital cultural projects. In conclusion, strengthening cultural and civic literacy through contextual and collaborative approaches proved effective in reviving a sense of patriotism among youth. This program is recommended for continuous integration into the school curriculum and extracurricular activities.