The Role of Hometown Associations in Rural Development: A Case Study of Daryanis in Tehran

        Hometown associations are rural and town migrants sustainable organizations and institutions in large cities which passed through a process for their formation and have specific objectives. The present study used qualitative methodology with interview, group interview and observation to deal with the main characteristics of hometown associations, the examples of these associations in Iran, Daryani's association in Tehran, and their impacts on the development of Daryan village. The required data were collected from Daryani people settled in Tehran and Daryan village. The results of study indicated that Tehran's Daryani people have extended religious, charity, economic, supportive, public service, social and cultural organizations and they work together through kinship and co-ethnicity. Some organizational characteristics of these associations indicate the members are a mixture of relatives and friends, and they elect their leaders and main members democratically; They have also extensive potentials to cooperate with government institutions and have a long history in development activities. By investment, employment generation, establishment of industrial plants and attention to village issues ultimately these associations have an important role in the development of Daryan village.