Turkey's first civil development organization operating in the field of rural development, the Turkish Development Foundation (TKV), was established in January 1969. Since its establishment, thousands of families have benefited from TKV's social and income-generating projects, ranging from in-house production to agricultural industrial enterprises.

From its founding in 1969 to the present day, TKV's rural development practices have resulted in field-tested lessons and enriched models for our country, leading to replicable models.

Leading the way in Turkey, TKV has initiated effective practices nationwide:

Introducing and implementing a holistic approach and organization that encompasses human resource development, technical assistance, education, rural credit, and marketing support in rural development for the first time, Developing small-scale rural credit practices tailored to the realities of our country for impoverished rural entrepreneurs, Introducing and popularizing the "contract farming model" that supports rural small-scale producers in activities such as poultry farming, dairy farming, livestock farming, and beekeeping, Establishing the first modern, integrated poultry farming system based on small producers in our country; initiating hygienic and commercially modern chicken production, Leading the introduction of modern, technical beekeeping practices and establishing an integrated beekeeping system in rural areas of our country, Pioneering steps taken in collaboration with the public on bee and animal health in rural households, Introducing family planning approaches and practices in rural areas, Contributing to activities that support the development and social inclusion of disadvantaged social groups such as women, youth, and children.

Some of the pilot-scale applications and model creation efforts carried out by TKV in various project areas have become sustainable on a unit basis over time; some have been transformed into national programs and have spread widely.

TKV has always emphasized that the public sector is the structure that can ensure the largest and most widespread replication of successful practices conducted relatively small-scale in rural development and has acted accordingly.

In this context, TKV project staff expanded the collaboration ground with relevant public institutions and organizations such as health, education, agriculture, and forestry agencies on the field, and established systematic relationships. Over time, as interest in rural development has grown in the public, civil, and private sectors, TKV's experience gained through its work (lessons learned from successes and failures) has not been limited to individual settlements but has become a topic for regional and national sharing.

Today, with the expansion of the areas of activity of local governments and the localization of authority through regulations, public agencies are showing a development that creates more conducive conditions for cooperation with other stakeholders. This situation increases opportunities for TKV to share its field experience and disseminate models.

Current areas of work include increasing the capacity of rural organizations in Turkey and establishing networks among them and among their international stakeholders, preparing integrated development plans at the district or basin level, conducting capacity enhancement needs analyses, preparing strategic plans, social development projects for disadvantaged groups, inclusive early childhood for refugees, social harmony, and integration efforts.

TKV has expanded the collaboration ground with relevant public institutions and organizations such as health, education, and agriculture agencies on the field, and established systematic relationships.