Community-Based Interventions for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Case Study on Rural SMEs, Heritage, and Education

Abstract

This study examines how an international community service program in Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia integrated rural entrepreneurship, cultural heritage preservation, and educational capacity building through collaborative activities with local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), women’s groups, educators, and community libraries. Based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), 4 (Quality Education), and 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), the study highlights how such initiatives can strengthen community resilience and sustainable local development. Using a qualitative case study approach, data were collected through site visits, stakeholder interactions, participant observations, and participant feedback from five local entities: Teh Gurah (herbal tea production), Kelompok Wanita Tani (women’s agricultural group), SMPN 3 Imogiri (teacher capacity building), Pustaka Desa Wukirsari (village library), and Batik Giriloyo (batik heritage center). Findings reveal that community-based learning effectively promotes knowledge exchange and cultural continuity while supporting rural innovation and entrepreneurship. However, challenges such as language barriers, technical constraints, infrastructure limitations, and sustainability issues were also evident. This study discusses these issues critically and proposes practical recommendations to strengthen future programs and enhance cross-cultural and cross-sectoral collaboration. The study contributes to the discourse on integrating community service, local economic development, and cultural heritage in rural ASEAN contexts