The urban community environmental activities project and its environment fund in Thailand

Abstract

This paper describes the work of an environment fund set up to support community initiated and managed projects within low-income settlements in urban areas throughout Thailand. Drawing on a grant of US$ 1.3 million, over a two-year period, the fund has supported 196 projects benefiting 41,000 families. Although managed by a Thai government agency (the Urban Community Development Office) and with funds from the Danish government agency, DANCED, the fund has allowed lowincome communities to develop their own projects and manage their implementation. It also encouraged inter-community exchanges and, more generally, a strengthening of the capacity of low-income communities to work together and negotiate and work with external agencies.