This report describes the result of the qualitative socioeconomic monitoring conducted by The SMERU Research Institute toward the EINRIP road improvement in Kabupaten Sumbawa and Kabupaten Dompu in the Province of West Nusa Tenggara. The objective of the road improvement was to support socioeconomic development in the eastern Indonesian region through improvement of a national road network that can meet standards of quality and accessibility, thus enabling the development of local and regional economies.

The study uses a qualitative approach. Semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted with government officials at the kabupaten (district), kecamatan (subdistrict), and village levels; as well as with business actors and community household members. Focus group discussions were also conducted.

Monitoring results show that the economy of Sumbawa and Dompu has grown and the people’s wellbeing has improved. This is reflected by the increase in their human development index and decrease in their poverty rate, as well as the decrease in the absolute number of people who live below the poverty line. However, in general the level of impact of the road improvement on each area is different, depending on whether there were strategic steps taken by the regional government, private sector, and the community to improve the livelihood condition of the people.