This study explores the Nagari as an indigenous institution within the Minangkabau culture of West Sumatra, Indonesia, emphasizing its role in governance and decision-making processes. Characterized by unique customs and autonomy, the Nagari functions as a self-governing entity that harmonizes traditional Minangkabau customs with Islamic values. Through ethnographic fieldwork conducted from July to November 2023 in three Nagari – Sumpur, Taram, and Pasilihan – data were gathered through observations and interviews with community leaders. The findings reveal that decision-making is primarily achieved through musyawarah (consensus deliberation), ensuring inclusive participation and reflecting the community’s values. The leadership structure, comprising kinship leaders, Islamic scholars, and knowledgeable individuals, fosters a balance between tradition and religion. This research highlights the significance of the Nagari as a model of effective governance that prioritizes community engagement and cultural identity, suggesting its resilience and adaptability in the face of contemporary challenges while providing insights into indigenous governance systems.

With the shift from government to governance and the increased demand for cooperation and coordination in public management during the past few decades, governments have made efforts to improve participatory policy-making. It can be tricky to involve stakeholders across sectors with different interests, resources, and perceptions, especially if the policy issue is controversial. The aim of this paper is to analyze the interaction dynamic of the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in asylum policy decision-making. The paper looks into the case of amending the legislative framework of the Estonian asylum system that was interfered with by the European migration crisis in 2015. The case highlights how the increased salience of the issue and the changing context influenced political decisionmaking and the way NGOs were involved. The findings show that although the context of crisis increased collaboration between the ministries and the NGOs on the policy implementation level, the involvement of NGOs in political decision-making deteriorated. The paper argues that at times when public debate on asylum policy grows more divisive, the decision-making process becomes more political, and the ability of NGOs to influence policy decisions becomes more likely through service provision rather than political debate.