Training and Capacity Development Project
Annual Plan 2026
The Southeast Asian Foundation for the Promotion of Culture and Environment
The Southeast Asian Foundation for the Promotion of Culture and Environment has been registered and operating since 2010. Its work focuses on training and developing the capacity of individuals in cultural and environmental conservation in the Mekong River Basin. Environmental problems and climate change have widely impacted the lives of people and indigenous communities. Therefore, the Foundation has established a program of exchange and learning projects to promote the use of human rights and community rights principles in managing and developing projects that affect natural resources and the environment fairly and sustainably. This includes addressing climate justice and climate change. Working through collaboration with environmental networks at the national and Southeast Asian levels, the Foundation provides support in terms of information sharing and capacity building to strengthen the protection of rights and the conservation of natural resources, preserving the valuable ecosystem of the Mekong River Basin – the lifeblood of the people living and depending on the lower Mekong River in countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The rapid growth of the fossil fuel industry in Southeast Asia directly contributes to global climate change due to the massive release of carbon and greenhouse gases. Currently, climate change policies are not fair and sustainable. If the world continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels, the consequences will worsen. However, those most affected by global warming are indigenous communities, who may face impacts from development projects but may not receive fair treatment or targeted solutions, including a lack of community participation. Promoting community participation and rights is crucial to the foundation’s past projects.
The Southeast Asia Foundation for the Promotion of Culture and Environment regularly implements four projects annually:
1. Capacity Building and Training Program
2. Networking Support Program
3. Community Climate Change Monitoring Program (Just Energy Transition)
4. Communication and Community Activity Support Program for Thai Communities
The Capacity Building and Training Program is the foundation’s core project. Training lasts approximately seven months, from May to November, for interested individuals from five Mekong River Basin countries: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Two volunteers from each country and six from Myanmar participate in the program to exchange knowledge and build networks.
The work focuses on social, cultural, and environmental issues to promote effective prevention and solutions. Each year, the program recruits grassroots individuals and those genuinely interested in these issues. The training takes place at the foundation’s office at 179 Moo 1, San Phi Suea Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai Province. This project has been in operation since 2005.
It supports the creation of networks and collaborative efforts in cultural and environmental conservation with partner organizations in Southeast Asia and the Mekong River Basin countries. These organizations address environmental challenges arising from ongoing or existing development projects. The foundation acts as a central coordinating body to promote fairness and cooperation in environmental conservation and clean air in the Mekong River Basin region through networking projects at community, national, and international levels.
It includes organizing workshops for communities and youth on global climate change and climate justice, and building national and international networks to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and understanding of differing international fundamental laws for application in environmental work and policy.
The Community Climate Change Monitoring Project, with a target date of 2026, implements network-based projects to support a just energy transition, campaigning to phase out fossil fuels and promote the use of clean renewable energy in large-scale industries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change. It also strengthens community rights to participate in solving global problems fairly and sustainably. Organizing public forums to foster understanding within society at the community, national, and international levels, promoting collaboration in working towards a just society.
Communication and support projects for Thai communities; supporting government activities for Thai communities, such as National Children’s Day, World Environment Day, International Labor Day, and various activities related to Thai culture and the environment; building partnerships with government agencies to organize activities and support communities in adapting to climate change and climate justice, such as natural disasters, PM2.5 air pollution, and polluted rivers. The foundation plans to support and collaborate to contribute to solving problems and providing assistance to affected communities each year.
Training and Capacity Building Program
The Training and Capacity Building Program was first implemented in 2006 and has continued until the present, since the foundation was registered in 2010. The plan for 2026 is divided into the following training and capacity building programs:
Phase 1: January – April 2026. After the application quota is reached, coordinating officers and international volunteers will conduct interviews to select participants from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam (planning underway). Two participants will be selected from each country, with six from Myanmar, for a total of 14-16 participants, according to the planned budget.
Phase 2: May – July 2026. The program will consist of online learning sessions divided into various training courses as appropriate, such as training in cross-cultural communication, international environmental law, and monitoring the investment mechanisms and responsibility of international financial institutions that may impact global climate change. This will be interspersed with one field trip to a Thai community.
Phase 3: September – November 2026. Training will be held in Chiang Mai. The program involved inviting knowledgeable and experienced speakers on various issues, both from within and outside Thailand. Field trips were combined with classroom learning and training in different areas of Thailand. Examples include field trips to the Mekong River basin, Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province, and exchange studies on climate change along the eastern and southern coasts. These field trips served as case studies for the trainees, fostering exchange of experiences with local communities, and contributing to the establishment of community organizations and networks.
The project also included short-term action research projects on topics of interest to the trainees, selecting relevant areas and case studies encompassing development, the environment, and community lifestyles in their respective countries. During the field research, project staff traveled to each country to provide consultation, follow-up, and exchange ideas as appropriate. Upon returning to their home countries, the trainees were able to analyze and compare the experiences gained from classroom learning and field trips in Thailand with relevant case studies to understand local issues. This analysis emphasized the differing political, social, cultural, ecological, and biodiversity contexts of each country, leading to a clearer understanding of local issues and enabling them to better understand and prepare for global climate change and climate justice.
The final phase of the project… Participants from each country will present their own research and exchange important experiences in conducting action research. This research requires meticulous attention to detail; therefore, different research methodologies and strategies, and research processes in vastly different contexts, present challenges and create a unique learning experience for the participants.
