Program-Related Factors Influencing the Villagers' Engagement and Sense of Belongingness in the “Beautiful Courtyard” Program: Inputs to Policy Enhancement

This study explores the program-related factors that shape villagers’ engagement and sense of belongingness in the “Beautiful Courtyard” program a flagship initiative under China's rural revitalization agenda. Conducted in Jiangmen City from August 2024 to January 2025, the research employed a descriptive-correlational design involving 382 randomly selected household respondents. Drawing from citizen engagement theory, pluralistic co-governance, public governance, and social identity theory, the study assessed perceptions of policy implementation, resource allocation, program management, incentives, and social acceptability. Statistical analyses using SPSS v26, including Pearson’s correlation and ANOVA, revealed that resource allocation, program management, and social acceptability significantly influenced both engagement and belongingness. Conversely, policy implementation demonstrated no statistically significant impact. Engagement was highest among younger and more educated villagers, particularly in terms of attitude and willingness. A robust sense of belongingness was associated with strong emotional connections, member consciousness, and project impact. These findings underscore the need for participatory strategies, equitable resource distribution, and enhanced program communication to improve the sustainability and effectiveness of rural revitalization efforts. The study offers critical insights for policymakers, local governments, and development practitioners in designing inclusive and community-centered rural programs.