This study aims to determine the relevance of the implementation of the merdeka program to village development as an effort to improve welfare and quality of life. The research was conducted in 19 assisted villages in Sumbawa Regency. The variables that will be raised in this study include the level of relevance of the implementation of the merdeka program, namely: 1). Village characteristics and rankings before and after the implementation of the independence program, and 2). The level of achievement of the main programs of the Merdeka Program, namely OVOP, Cultural Village, Tourism Village, Digital Village and Administrative Neat Village on village development in 19 assisted villages in Sumbawa Regency, then the research method uses surveys while the sample is taken by purposive sampling. Based on the survey results, it is shown that the relevance of the implementation of the merdeka program has resulted in developing, developed and independent villages in 19 fostered villages in Sumbawa Regency. Even villages that were previously said to be very backward after the merdeka program, the status of the village resulted in an independent village. The level of achievement of the main program of the merdeka program for development in 19 assisted villages in Sumbawa Regency has reached good or even very good.

Keywords : Merdeka Program, Village Community Welfare.