The Potential for Developing Thematic Villages in Cisaat and Selajambe, Cibaraja-Cisaat Sub-District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province

Purpose: This study aims to describe the potential of Cisaat and Selajambe Villages, Cibaraja-Cisaat Sub-District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java Province. Design/methodology/approach: To describe the potential of the two villages, this research uses a literature and field study approach. Thematic villages are a relatively new issue in the village development approach model. Previously, development in villages was based on an exogenous approach; however, this approach has been judged to have failed to develop villages because it places villages as the object of development. A friendlier approach to village community participation is a development model with an endogenous approach that places villages as the subject of development. The actual practice of the endogenous approach is the development of thematic villages, the main principle being that development is based on ideas and potentials that exist in the community and the village environment itself. The data analysis of the observations and in-depth interview results demonstrate that Cisaat and Selajambe villages have the potential to become thematic villages. Findings: The potential of the two villages is in the product of their freshwater fish management that has been carried out by all inhabitants of Cisaat and Selajamber villages for generations.