The role of local governments and cooperative policies in regional development: The case of Tire Dairy Cooperative

Regional development, which has gradually risen to prominence since late 20th century, refers to the efforts of local actors to increase the capacity and competitiveness of the region by making effective use of local resources in cooperation. Nowadays, community-oriented, transparent and democratic local governments in accordance with the decentralisation approach, and cooperatives with principles such as concern for community, participation, autonomy and democratic control represent two important organizational structures with the potential to work harmoniously. Collaboration between local governments and cooperatives and the implementation of policies by local governments to support cooperatives is of great importance and necessity in terms of ensuring sustainable regional development with a high success potential. Thus, in this study, the conceptual framework of regional development is examined, and the formation and advancement process of regional development approach is explained. Then, the importance of local governments and cooperatives in terms of regional development is pointed out by indicating structural and functional changes they have undergone during their historical development. The success of local governments and cooperative policies in achieving regional development is analyzed by examining the regional development model created in Izmir through the case of Tire Dairy Cooperative after explaining the formation and advancement processes of local governments, regional development approaches and cooperatives in Turkey.