I. First progress report (October 25, 2006):
Activities undertaken:
1. Organic fertilizer production demonstrated for participating schools, community members, and TAOs
2. Two-acre environmentally-friendly orchard established
3. Waste management campaigns and capacity-building activities launched for project members, particularly youth groups

Results of activities:
1. Two-acre environmentally-friendly guava orchard is generating funds for future environmental activities
2. Two main canals are being rehabilitated using a participatory approach; six are under continuous protection
3. Water quality database has been compiled after periodic monitoring
4. Student environmental network forged amongst nine schools
6. Community members and participating schools display increased organic compost production capacity

II. Mid-course evaluation workshop (February 20-22, 2007):
After a brief presentation by the National Coordinator (NC) reiterating the objectives of the GEF SGP, representatives from each project spent 30 minutes explaining project background, activities undertaken, immediate results and challenges. The National Coordinator encouraged candid discussion of problems and problem-solving strategies, and each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Project representatives also spent an afternoon interacting with community members from THA-05-14 (Local Scenes for Environment Protection). Workshop attendants learned about the old ways of life in the central area and how local ecologies had been altered. The final day was allotted to the two remaining project presentations, the National Steering Committee's observations and suggestions, and the National Coordinator's reminder of next steps.

Progress-related observations at Workshop:
--Of 14 projects, 12 were on time regarding activities and submission of reports. All were capable of articulating details of their activities and immediate results, which were deemed promising.
--Several projects secured financial support from other stakeholders.
--Leaders from at least four projects demonstrated increased capacity, both technically and institutionally. (National Steering Committee members expressed special satisfaction with this.)
--Eleven projects used Power Point and audio-visual equipment; the remaining three presented sets of photos.

V. Completion report (April 4, 2008):
Number of project beneficiaries:
Women: >200
Men: >200
Children: >300
Number of people attending trainings, seminars, and/or study tours:
Women: >200
Men: >200
Children: >300
Project expenses:
Total: THB 353,200
Amount from SGP: THB 279,521
Amount from other: THB 400,000
Amount contributed from grantee: THB 70,000

Activities undertaken:
1. Capacity-building activities held for youth groups re: community waste management
2. Youth network formed to monitor water quality and surveil river and canal
3. Two demonstrations performed:
? Use of micro-organic matter to produce compost (shown to grantee, four schools, and one local administrative organization)
? Use of organic compost to conduct toxic-free gardening

Results of activities:
1. 50% of project members working together to protect four major canals
2. Youth groups leading environmental protection campaigns in communities living alongside canals
3. 18 schools participating in water quality monitoring and river/canal surveillance
4. Project members, schools, and local municipality have technical capacity to produce organic compost, and explain its benefits
5. 550 guava trees planted in Learning Center are thriving; many have produced fruit for distribution and sale

Project impact:
1. Samutsakhorn Provincial Administrative Organization incorporated project in its development plans. Other provincial-level organizations provided funding for establishment of garbage bank, water quality monitoring and river and canal cleaning.
2. Department of Environment Quality Promotion, Department of Pollution Control, and Regional Environment Office used project to design policies re: formulation and support of community-based organizations and networks

Issues with project implementation:
? Government units offered limited technical support; as a result, only a limited number of community members were able to gain critical technical skills.