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This study aims to explore the role of social capital in promoting sustainable rural development area in Banyumas Regency, Central Java. This study departs from the problem of a lack of community involvement in a rural development area. Community force or social capital has a potential role in determining the future of rural development. Also, Law No 6/2014 on Village, in particular, Section 2 mentions that social participation becomes a key principle of the rural development area. Using three villages in Somagede Subdistrict Banyumas Regency, this study applied legal research approach and qualitative case study to understand the existing community forces in supporting a pilot project of the rural development area in Somagede Subdistrict. Informants were purposively selected representing community leaders, village government, young leaders, and village development cadres. Our results show that various community-based organizations have developed well in three villages. There are at least 4 types of community-based organizations, namely tourism, agriculture, animal husbandry, and small industries. Besides, local wisdom also still exists in three villages including Suran and Sadrana. Klinting Village, which is partly a Hindu community, celebrates Nyepi. In terms of performing arts, all three villages have lumping horse and wayang lengger performing arts. The Tangeran Village specifically has additional performing arts from Beans. In the legal perspective, implementation of rural development area project should take community-based organizations and local wisdom into account. The village law also states that implementation of rural development area will require all elements in the village to have a common perception, common vision, common mission and common purpose. Involvement of social capital elements in rural development will promote the sustainability of rural development area project. Therefore, the findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the role of social capital in promoting sustainable development area.