Since March 1997, the Operational Phase I of Thailand GEF Small Grants Programme has been providing grants to 44 projects throughout the country. Mostly as demonstration projects, they are of community-based, initiated, planned and managed by communities.

Apart from the monitoring by visits to projects of the National Coordinator and the National Steering Committee during mid-implementation, the intensive monitoring and analysis by a third party is necessary to ensure timely gathering of information , smooth and effective implementation and timely recommendation of corrective measures as deemed appropriated. Moreover, the monitoring and analysis processes will furnish information and materials for the dissemination of experiences and lessons learned to wider audiences and for strategic planning of GEF / SGP in the future. In the process of monitoring and analysis , the use of participatory methods is encouraged.

The Research and Development Institute, Khon Kaen University is specialized and widely recognized in rural and environment development. Its staff members consist of both academics and personnel well-recognized by NGO & CBO networks in Thailand. The institute is familiar with GEF/ SGP as it successfully organized one stakeholders workshop for GEF / SGP recently.

Project goals or objectives:

1. To gather data & information of GEF/SGP supported projects in the aspects of attainment, management of grant, contribution from community and other sources, conditions and other complementary activities that are critical to the success of the projects
2. To identify , assess and document groups of projects that are best practices
3. To prepare case studies from groups of projects that are best practices
4. to disseminate experiences / lessons learned from GEF/SGP project to other projects and wider circle of stakeholders

Activities to be carried out under project:

1. To convene workshop among researchers to discuss plans , monitoring & analysis mechanism and reporting / presentation formats and modify as appropriate
2. To launch project site visits to 44 locations and gather data & information
3. To evaluate and summarize the result of findings obtained in 2.
4. To produce media (video) of best practices
5. To disseminate the GEF/SGP supported- projects to wider audiences

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1. The target community of the 44 projects
2. The related government offices in the target areas
3. NGO and CBO regional networks
4. Interested UN system and other donors
5. Interested Civic Organizations

Anticipated results of project:

1. Each and every project would have learned of its own performance and modified/corrected the course of activities.
2. GEF / SGP would have derived useful data & information required for future programme implementation.
3. GEF / SGP would have been recognized by wider audiences.