2026/07/24 by Necati Buğra Kuddaş
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Social Sciences · #Community and Sustainable Development #Rural development and sustainability #Social Work Education and Practice
paper · doi:10.1177/00208728261470244
crossref issued 2026/07/24 · crossref published 2026/07/24 · crossref published-online 2026/07/24 · openalex publication_date 2026/07/24 · crossref created 2026/07/24 · openalex created_date 2026/07/25 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/25 · crossref deposited 2026/07/26 · crossref indexed 2026/07/26
This article presents practice-based reflections from a rural development program implemented under social work leadership in Divle Village, Türkiye. Following the geographical indication registration of Divle Obruk Cave Cheese, the program aimed to turn economic opportunity into inclusive community development through cooperative strengthening, women’s participation, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and community-based tourism. Early outcomes included fairer production arrangements, greater women’s visibility, mentoring between generations, and increased youth engagement, despite limited resources and persistent gender norms. The article suggests that social workers can support rural development by linking economic growth with participation, equity, and social inclusion in marginalized communities internationally.