WORKSHOP: Turning Knowledge into Action for Green Transformation: "First Workshop for Just Futures Mekong Fellowship Program"

By Yu Yin, Fellowship Coordinator, Center for Social Development Studies CSDS

In early February 2025, the Center for Social Development Studies organized a dynamic 5-day workshop for the Just Future Mekong Fellows and their research partners on research design. The goal of the workshop was to provide participants with the skills, knowledge, and strategies they need to create real, sustainable change through collaborative research and practical action. Over the course of a week, the workshop guided participants through key concepts in research design, sustainability practices, and real-world problem-solving, while also offering hands-on learning experiences, including visits to the programs partnering Thai host organizations. 

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Dr. Thanapan Laiprakobsup, Vice Dean for Research at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science. His words set the tone for the Just Futures Mekong Fellowship Program, an initiative designed to promote justice and sustainability in Thailand and across the Mekong Region. The fellowship itself spans six months, during which each fellow teams up with a research partner from a host organization to co-develop research projects that align with the organization’s goals. These projects aim to not only address pressing sustainability challenges but also deliver tangible contributions to policy and practice in the region. 

Three Days Interactive Classroom Workshops 

We had three days dedicated to an immersive classroom experience, where participants engaged in informative lectures from the program lead, Dr. Carl Middleton. Based on the lectures, fellows had dynamic discussions on their research topics and collaboratively worked with their research buddies to co-design the research. The sessions were structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of research design and its role in advancing sustainability transformation and work on their research design step by step.  

The workshop commenced with an introduction to its overarching goals: to foster co-produced knowledge, enhance research design skills, and bridge the gap between academic research and practical sustainability solutions. Participants were encouraged to think critically about how their work can contribute to systemic change. The objectives were to build the capacity of research fellows and research buddies to undertake design and co-produced research; produce a draft research design to be finalized post-workshop in collaboration with the partner organization and mentor; and cultivate a community of shared learning across the fellowship cohort and partner organizations. 

Co-Produced Knowledge for Sustainability Transformation 

A key theme of the workshop was the importance of co-production in research. Several different kinds of knowledge production were introduced, ranging from that of government policy makers to local communities, to explore design thinking and knowledge co-production for sustainability research, which begins with a shared understanding of research problem between actors and shared definition of research question and design, and includes context-based, pluralistic, goal-oriented and interactive elements.  

Fellows discussed their experiences in engaging stakeholders, communities, and practitioners, which can lead to more impactful and contextual outcomes. Case studies and group discussions highlighted the value of integrating diverse perspectives into the research process. 

The research framework was also introduced including the role of concepts in research, how to formulate research questions, how to search for relevant literature, the types of research tools available, and the meaning of analysis and triangulation. Each of these subjects was followed by time for fellows’ exercises, presentations, and feedback. The workshop also covered discussions on research ethics, theories of change, and its connection to research for development.  

The process not only enabled fellows and research partners to learn and develop the research design, but it also strengthened the collaboration between research fellows and their researcher buddies, instilling confidence for future research work. 

Organizational Visits 

The workshop dedicated two days to meeting with local host organizations involved in the fellowship program. There are five organizations in total: Local Alike, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, the Sustainable Development Foundation, Toward Organic Asia, and the Climate Finance Network Thailand. Although they all work on promoting sustainability in Thailand, their fields of operation and approaches are quite different, representing the diversity of civil society in Thailand. 

Local Alike   

Our first stop was Local Alike, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering local communities through sustainable community-based tourism. During the visit, they shared their approach to engaging with communities, which involves enhancing their understanding of sustainable practices, identifying unique tourism highlights, and building their capacity in hospitality and tourism management. The marketing team at Local Alike plays a crucial role in promoting these community-based tourism activities to both domestic and international audiences, ensuring wider visibility and participation. In addition to generating income through community tours, Local Alike also offers professional services to government agencies and consulting for companies interested in community-based tourism development. This multifaceted approach positions Local Alike as a model for sustainable tourism, demonstrating how it can empower communities, foster skill development, and create sustainable economic opportunities. By integrating community engagement, capacity-building, and strategic marketing, they not only deliver authentic tourism experiences but also contribute to the long-term resilience and growth of local economies. Their innovative methods underscore the transformative potential of community-driven tourism initiatives. 

The Future Just Mekong fellow aims to delve deeper into Local Alike’s community-based tourism model, analyzing their strategies for community engagement, capacity-building, and marketing to identify opportunities within the Chinese tourist market. The research will also explore how community-based tourism contributes to sustainable community development in the long term, examining both the short-term experiences and long-term lessons learned. By understanding these dynamics, the fellow seeks to uncover insights that can enhance the promotion of such tourism experiences to Chinese travelers while supporting the enduring empowerment and resilience of local communities in Thailand. 

Fellows visit with sdf

Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF) 

Our next destination was the Sustainable Development Foundation (SDF), a Thai NGO established in 1996. The foundation operates from a spacious three-floor building equipped with offices, a library, meeting rooms, a tranquil garden, and accommodation for field staff. 

SDF is dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities reliant on natural resources by securing their rights and promoting sustainable ecosystem management. Its mission is to reduce inequality and ensure fairness in natural resource and environmental governance. The foundation collaborates with local fishermen, farmers, forest dwellers, and upland communities to conserve and restore natural resources while advocating for inclusive development and good governance through grassroots policy influence. SDF’s Bangkok office focuses on sustainable coastal environment protection and social justice initiatives for fishing communities, while its Chiang Mai office works with forest dwellers and upland communities on their rights to natural resources and community-based forest protection. Additionally, SDF adopts a gender-sensitive approach, implementing projects that address gender equality and empower women. By raising awareness of gender roles and inequality, the foundation encourages women to actively participate in their communities, economic activities, and natural resource management, fostering a more equitable and sustainable future. 

The Future Just Mekong fellow will work with SDF staff to explore the housing rights of coastal communities, particularly those living on the water in estuary areas. Additionally, the fellow will study how these communities actively engage in advocating for their rights to protect natural resources and preserve their traditional fishing practices. The fellow will do her research as a short film documentary, which aims to highlight the challenges and resilience of these communities in safeguarding their livelihoods and cultural heritage. 

Sustainable Agriculture Foundation 

The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation (Thailand) (SAF), established in 1998, is a pioneering organization dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture as a pathway to self-reliance for farmers and communities amidst the challenges of globalization. Located in the suburbs, SAF shares its office space with other organizations and is renowned for its expansive permaculture vegetable garden, which serves as a hub for innovative farming practices and agroecological principles aimed at enhancing food security and environmental resilience. Initially focused on pilot projects to demonstrate sustainable practices, SAF has evolved to emphasize participatory research, knowledge development, and the integration of sustainable agriculture into broader food systems and policies. The foundation actively advocates farmer empowerment, fosters collaboration with related organizations, and works to build institutional capacity in sustainable agriculture. It also engages diverse societal groups, including the younger generation, to cultivate awareness and acceptance of sustainable agricultural practices. By addressing critical issues such as climate change adaptation and strengthening farmer-consumer relationships, SAF strives to transition society towards sustainable agriculture and food safety, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future. 

The Future Just Mekong fellow will collaborate with SAF staff in Nong Tao Village, Mae Wang District, Chiangmai to understand the climate challenges and adaptation strategies of Karen coffee growers, while recognizing that ethnic communities in forest and mountain areas face a complex web of issues beyond climate impacts. These include land rights, preserving traditional ways of life, navigating livelihood choices, and grappling with the dilemmas posed by the current economic model and their deeply held beliefs. This fellowship aims to provide an opportunity to explore these interconnected issues within the context of SAF's broader mission to transition society towards sustainable agriculture and food safety. 

fellows visit with cfnt

Climate Finance Network Thailand 

The Climate Finance Network Thailand (CFNT) is a think tank committed to advancing sustainable financial practices and fostering a transition to a low-carbon economy, consistently championing the integration of climate considerations into financial decision-making. Established in 2024, CFNT is the youngest among the five host organizations but has quickly made its mark by assembling a team of dedicated professionals and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, from investors to regulators. Together, they aim to provide independent, professional and critical research and voice out to Thailand’s financial sector to be resilient and responsive to the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change. 

Led by Ms. Sarinee Achavanuntakul, a prominent Thai public intellectual known for her work on sustainability, social justice, and the intersection of finance with climate change and biodiversity, CFNT has already produced impactful research. This includes studies on the risks of continued investment in Oil & Gas, critiques and recommendations for the Thailand Power Development Plan 2024, and the potential of crowdfunding for residential solar installations. 

Building on this foundation, the Future Just Mekong fellow will collaborate with the CFNT team to explore Chinese renewable energy investments in Thailand, particularly in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This research will examine whether and how such investments can contribute to an just energy transition, ensuring that the shift to renewable energy is equitable, inclusive, and aligned with broader climate goals. By integrating insights from CFNT’s expertise and networks, this collaboration aims to provide actionable recommendations for fostering sustainable and just energy transitions in Thailand and beyond.    

Towards Organic Asia 

Finally, the fellows visited Towards Organic Asia (TOA), a small yet impactful organization dedicated to fostering collaboration among organic agriculture cooperatives and networks across the Mekong region. Established in 2011, TOA envisions a future rooted in community spirit, economic sufficiency, and environmental stewardship, guided by the principles of organic agriculture and agroecology. To achieve this, TOA operates through four interconnected areas of focus: Training, which builds capacity and knowledge; Technology, which explores and adapts sustainable solutions; Advocacy, which champions policies supporting organic agriculture; and Youth, which engages and empowers the next generation of farmers and advocates. These areas represent concrete actions aimed at translating TOA’s vision into tangible outcomes. 

TOA brings together diverse stakeholders, fostering shared understanding and cooperation in agroecology and social wellbeing. Its ultimate goal is to construct sustainable food systems that generate positive environmental, social, economic, and political impacts. 

The Just Futures Mekong fellow will collaborate with TOA’s research buddy to focus on young farmers’ engagement in grassroots innovation. Together, they will study the challenges of seed sovereignty, as well as the adaptability and obstacles faced by young farmers working in organic agriculture, particularly in developing sustainable seeds. This work aims to strengthen regional seed sovereignty and agroecological systems, ensuring their resilience and long-term viability. This partnership aligns with TOA’s mission to empower communities and build resilient, sustainable food systems for the future, fostering environmental stewardship and economic sufficiency across the Mekong region. 

Conclusion 

Reflecting on the first workshop, we are reminded of the power of collaboration and the urgent need for transformative action to address the pressing challenges of our time. The insights gained from the workshop will undoubtedly inform and inspire the work of all fellows and research buddies as they continue their research work that contribute to a more sustainable and just future. All involved in the fellowship program hope to pave the way for a future that harmonizes environmental stewardship, economic sufficiency, and social wellbeing, ensuring a more equitable and thriving world for generations to come.